Your dream isn’t going to be everyone’s dream. Some people will try to tell you what you ‘ought’ to be doing – but you’ll never be as committed to something that isn’t 100% what you want to achieve. If you’re going to dream, be clear about what it is that you really want to achieve. … Read more
In every business I have led and doubly in every startup I have founded, we have adopted the motto that ‘Cash is King’. From the day you set up a business, until the day it’s a billion pound success, it’s essential to keep expenditure in check if you intend to survive and thrive. This is … Read more
When we set out on the project to set a world record for rowing the Atlantic we knew we would need to be the best to do it. We knew what the best was. The previous world record for a 5-man crew on the route we were following was set by the Nauti Buoys at … Read more
When you create a high performance car every tiny screw and nut is there for a purpose, when one goes missing the car may continue to function for a while, but eventually something is going to go wrong. In the same way, it doesn’t matter how senior or junior a team member’s position may be, … Read more
There’s so much doom and gloom about, whether it’s the economic crisis, the government’s decision making – or even the weather, and what other nation spends so much time talking about that? It’s time to look at something more positive – the untapped potential we have in our population. Getting a business off the ground … Read more
I have just spent a day visiting two of the companies that I am involved with. In one company I led the team through a substantial turnaround before appointing a new CEO and stepping back into the role of executive chairman. The CEO has developed and led the new team and taken the business forward … Read more
This term is often heard in relation to leaders, but it goes far beyond a leader who stands behind their ideals. A company has a brand and identity and everything they do and say at every level influences what the outside world thinks of the company. That includes individual team members. When the Ocean 5 … Read more
Work should be fun. But my idea of fun might not be the same as yours. I love my work and split my time between several companies. If I’m not visiting them, I’m working at home in my office – often until late into the evening. I keep intending to slow down, but I enjoy … Read more
Trust is critical within any successful team. How does trust grow in a working team? The simple answer is that it is built through clarity, honesty and openness. It’s reinforced through shared values, which are essential for creating a team culture of shared responsibility that can deal with whatever is thrown at it. Honest communication … Read more
Most leaders find themselves in the position, at some point, of thinking ‘we could do better’. In some cases, the organisation may have even arrived at a point where it needs bold decisions and fast action to survive. As a leader this will test your ability, your courage, your integrity and your commitment to the … Read more