“Regrets? Perhaps a Few But Then Again Too Few to Mention….”

I have heard others say that they have no regrets and if that is true then I applaud them for their selfless and worthy existence.  But is it really true? I wonder sometimes if that declaration is one of defiance, or justification for a life lived carefully, or conventionally. The opposite end of the scale […]

Looking Back to Move Forward

In the modern world our business and personal lives have become inextricably linked. One affects the other and vice versa for good or bad. When was the last time you looked at your past as a way to improve your future? I learnt the benefits that can be drawn from looking back during my recovery […]

What does success mean to you?

We are all in some form of competition– with each other, with ourselves, with other’s expectations, with other businesses. So, if we are competing, then, naturally, the idea is to win. Or is it? Winning in a race means crossing the line first doesn’t it? Or throwing a javelin the farthest, breaking records if you […]

Progress not Perfectionism

These last few weeks I have been writing about competition. How does business make itself competitive, is it really a dog-eat-dog world and why are people a vital ingredient? Sometimes we are our own worst enemy – and business owners are no different. When you find yourself competing against others, whether in business or personal […]

Humans are the best resource for competitive advantage

Last week I looked at what gives a company its competitive edge, but often overlooked as a competitive advantage is the people inside the company. In fact, sadly in some businesses, their people are treated as simply a cost that needs cutting. In times of recession staffing costs are obviously a target for cost savings […]

Sharpen Your Competitive Edge

Last week I looked at the changing face of competitiveness and how a 21st century business may not succeed by simply being cutthroat. There are still many businesses that are aggressively competitive but I would suggest this is not a viable tactic for long term growth. So how does a business, especially a small medium […]

Compete or Connect? Crush or Collaborate?

The changing art of competitiveness Which is the odd one out?  Wimbledon, BREXIT, The Olympics or Sports Direct? OK, so it’s a trick question…they all demonstrate an aspect of competition, allegedly the lifeblood of every business. Wimbledon and The Olympics may seem obvious- sports people all trying to win. However, for those of you old […]

To speak or not to speak: that is the question

When was the last time you used a telephone to communicate? I mean, actually picked up your phone to make a call. Not a text, not a check of your email and send a quick reply, but an actual real life call, where you were required to communicate verbally with another person. Telephone Calls are […]

Think Before You Press Send – Email Etiquette

If you are communicating something important in an email you must stop and think before hitting the send button.  Too often I receive misspelt messages that can sometimes be totally incoherent or unclear as to what is needed from me in return. Emails are written communication Many emails I receive I assume are written as […]