Great players win matches, great teams win championships. In business terms that translates into winning more sales, achieving higher returns and being top of the table for customers. I see so many companies where the first, second and third consideration are the numbers and an obsession with quarterly results. But to get bigger an organisation … Read more
The recent news that HM King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer has been distressing, not least for his family, but also for the nation of which he is titular head. I sincerely hope that the treatment he receives will rid him of the disease and that he gets well soon, but his situation raised … Read more
Rumours are swirling this week about the financial health of Cazoo. A couple of years ago I expressed my bewilderment that Cazoo had been floated on the US stock exchange with a valuation of $8 billion. That’s eight thousand million dollars! An outrageous ticket when substantial car retail groups, with an international presence, brand recognition … Read more
The pandemic wasn’t planned for. The Russian invasion of Ukraine wasn’t planned for. Even though we knew Brexit was coming, not enough planning took place for it. All these events have a massive impact on the economy generally – and on businesses and their strategies specifically. The automotive industry is very close to my heart. … Read more
There is no easy route to becoming the best. Achieving a world-class level of performance requires focus, determination and a lot of hard work. The difference between the people who achieve a superior level of performance and those who don’t often comes down to just how much they want it. It is not about how … Read more
Over three decades or so I’ve been involved with more than a dozen businesses. All but one has been extremely successful*. The key and consistent factor to their success is leadership that inspires the teams to strive for excellence. An inspirational leader is the catalyst for creativity and innovation. Inspirational leaders don’t just point the … Read more
Whether the numbers support it or not, the UK economy feels as if it is in recession and that’s a serious concern for many businesses. The critical challenges a recession throws up are typically sluggish cashflow, fewer sales as customers prioritise what they spend their money on and the subsequent anxiety for both business leaders … Read more
Many people never really consider what they want to achieve in life. We follow a path defined by our opportunities and challenges around us. But if you don’t set out to build your own vision of success, you will spend your life helping others build theirs. What is your vision of success? We all have … Read more
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