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
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
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
Building a world class organisation is exciting. The leader’s role is to generate that excitement and inspire the team to share the journey to an extraordinary future. That’s a key ability for a leader – to share a vision and inspire the team to action. When people understand the what and the why of success, … Read more
I have been leading companies for 25 years – my earliest challenges were to rebuild a broken Porsche brand and then to inspire the team at BMW GB to achieve a 500% improvement in profit while transforming the service levels of an industry. Since then I have founded start-ups, driven turnarounds and built companies in … Read more