Archive
Are we nearly there yet?
“Are we nearly there yet?”, that familiar cry from the back seat, and sometimes from the front. The answer may be yes, maybe no, but how do we know? These days when we are on a day out we probably know where we are from our SatNav system and, if you have that set up to do so, it will also tell you whether you are going to arrive on time or not. At work we don’t have SatNav though, so whether we are looking at the day’s work or a project we need to have something else to keep track of where we are. Read more…
right and wrong, democracy or dictatorship?
When you are young you begin to learn from the people and the world around you. At first you are naturally trusting about what you are told, and then with a bit of curiosity you start to verify things; “Don’t touch that; it’s hot.” Ok, you think, then you put your hand out and “Ouch, that hurt.” Read more…
every man in the fleet knows what to do except the commanding admiral
These words were written by Ian Fleming for his creation M to utter in conversation with 007 and they convey an important leadership principle. Read more…
the young generation are the future
“If you could go back in time and change one piece of history, what would it be?”
I was doing some interviewing last week. My role was to probe the breadth and depth of the candidate’s operational abilities while my colleague was looking at the touchy, feely stuff and the above question was one of her standards. Read more…
do you lead or manage, and why it matters
I write a lot here on leadership issues; it features a lot in what I do and is something that has fascinated me for many years. This week I was reading in an on line forum where the difference between a manager and a leader was under debate. Read more…
it’s as easy to do customer service well as it is to get it wrong
Customer service Is something of a passion of mine and over the last week a few examples good, bad and indifferent have prompted these thoughts. Read more…
you get the supplier relationship that you deserve
How to have a good working relationship with your suppliers; it’s a topic that comes up often when talking to clients and buyers. Read more…
let your people go and be pleased for them
“Poaching talent” said my fellow speaker, and, even with pantomime season nearly at a close, you could sense the audience wanting to boo and hiss. Read more…
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. #jesuisahmed
I don’t suppose that anyone reading that headline will be in any doubt as to the event that prompted it, but do I agree with the sentiment? Read more…
how well can you manage if a crisis overtakes you?
Welcome back to all of those who have taken time off over the holiday season and are re-joining those of us who have had to, or like me have chosen to, work through.
It has been a fraught couple of weeks for some with a series of disasters some of which are ongoing. These things can happen on any day of the year, but when they happen at a time when many are expecting to be celebrating they are more poignant. Read more…
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the Monday Musings column from that consultant bloke 