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How more employees can boost profits?
Do you know, having more employees than you need can reduce costs and boost profits? Yes, it’s a bold statement. But it’s one Zeynep Ton makes and backs up in ‘The Good Jobs Strategy’. Ton is a Professor at MIT Sloan School of Management, with a focus on how organisations can design and manage their
john wooden basketball coach
Why John Wooden is a business wizard?
John Wooden (The Wizard of Westwood) was perhaps the greatest college basketball coach ever… He arrived at UCLA in 1948 who – at the time – had egregious basketball facilities and would raise the team up over the years to win 10 national championships, 4 perfect 30-0 seasons and record-breaking streaks of 38 and 88
sales journey
The 3 phases of the sales journey
There are 3 phases of the sales journey… Before. During. After. We call ‘before’ prospects, the aim is to get them to know you and show interest in what you do. ‘During’ is what we call a lead, where they like your story, and eventually test you out by buying something for first time. ‘After’
social
Why it’s now a world gone social?
Is it now a world gone social? For some time, I’ve been a big advocator of the death of traditional advertising and for that matter, traditional ways large organisations do business. Small organisations (like us) have an opportunity to create a visible strong brand presence if they embrace social. I’m not just talking about social
meaning
Can ‘meaning’ give you an edge in business?
There’re 3 critical elements that affect our judgement of any product and its organisation… Function: Does it provide the features you require? Will it be reliable? Are you confident in the price and that they’ll be no hidden extra charges? Form: Will it fit into the office space available? Does it fit into the office
the soft edge
Why the soft edge is where it’s at?
High performance has always required shrewd strategy & superb execution… These two elements remain critical, especially in today’s unprecedented business climate. Although, for forward thinking organisations looking to find an edge, there is a third! It’s an element that not many business leaders believe in and is covered by Rich Karlgaard, in his excellent book
apple golden triangle
Could you benefit from the Golden Rectangle?
Have you heard of the golden rectangle? Philosophers, mathematicians, and artists have admired the properties of what’s been termed the ‘golden rectangle’ for thousands of years. It’s a mythical shape based on 1.618 or about 5 x 8. Today it’s the common shape used for books, flat screen TV’s and smart devices. Why? Research discovered
customer services
Why the customer service revolution is here?
Anyone who knows us understands exceptional customer service is what drives us… And any opportunity we come across to learn what other organisations are doing differently, we grab them with both hands. We don’t always try and create some new unique type of service; on many occasions we’ll learn from what others are doing and
teams
What’s the true sign of great teams?
Great teams aren’t just about finding common ground… Common ground can help create unity and trust, and it can help lubricate collaboration. But common ground can also be a trap, it can reduce our willingness to discuss different perspectives. It can make us insular and cause us to reject good ideas that are not our
teams
What’s the goal of all teams?
In school we’re taught to be individuals… We sit in row after row, whilst the teacher imparts knowledge on a smart board (which was a blackboard in my time). We write down our own personal notes. We study on our own, in our own textbooks. Then we return to take tests, and if we share
common purpose
Whats your teams common purpose?
This week’s business book review is about a subject close to my heart… ‘Common Purpose’ written by Joel Kurtzman is about building teams who fit the organisations culture and are driven on by shared goals. Look, it’s even signed by the author. It’s not necessarily just about building winning business teams, it could be a
excellent
How to be an excellent service business?
How do you get too excellent in a service business? Good is a commodity and is the base line customers expect, but excellence will make you stand out in a crowded market. It’s about making sure your team feel they can take risks, without the fear of reprisals if something goes wrong. In team meetings
technology trust
Which technology company would you choose?
Not long ago at an event organised for the print technology industry… I overheard a conversation between two photocopier salespeople from different companies. Both we’re in their 30’s, dressed in smart suits with open collared shirts, and looked very professional. Salesperson one said. “We gain our customers loyalty by tying them to long term contracts
random zig zag
When drunk do you walk in a random way?
When you get drunk you tend to walk in a random way… So, when writing a book about how random events rule our personal and business lives, Leonard Mlodinow came up with the perfect title: ‘The Drunkard’s Walk’. Mlodinow presents compelling evidence on how lacking we are when it comes to understanding real life probability
Why (at last) Nike see it our way?
At last Nike has come round to our way of thinking… Yes, that’s right, they’re launching a refurbishment program, taking returns of gently worn, like-new or imperfect footwear, and refurbishing them to be resold at Nike stores at a discount. Initially the program is being launched in 15 U.S Nike stores, but if it proves
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