This is the third essay in a series of 10. Most leadership teams have no shortage of opinions. The harder question is whether those opinions are being tested. I've become increasingly interested in what happens when leaders deliberately separate what they believe from what they actually know—and particularly in the simple question, "What evidence would […]

This is essay 2 of 10 for written for business owners and leadership teams. Business leaders often describe their world as increasingly complex. Markets change faster than ever. Technology evolves relentlessly. Regulation grows more demanding. Customers expect more, competitors respond faster and every week appears to introduce another uncertainty demanding our immediate attention. Complexity has […]

This essay is the first in new series of 10 designed for owners and leadership teams. Perhaps chapter one of a new book.... Most businesses do not fail because of a single disastrous decision. They fail because of a thousand ordinary decisions. We have become fascinated by defining moments. Business books celebrate transformational leaders making […]

20 years ago, I thought businesses grew because they had a brilliant product. I was wrong. Businesses don't fail because founders work too little. They fail because they work on the wrong things. Since then, I've worked alongside hundreds of founders, leadership teams, and innovative SMEs, and I've learned something far more important. Businesses rarely […]

Thames Water will run out of money in 6 months. Denby had traded for 217 years and despite flagging this issue and the company went bust 6 weeks later. When will your business run out of money? This is a critical question for start ups developing a disruptive products and services. But as businesses start […]

Yesterday I was in my happy place. For the first time in a year, I was playing golf on the Littlestone Links. There's something about being out on that course that completely switches me off from everything else. On the drive home, I found myself wondering why it is my happy place. Then I started […]

Is it any wonder UK business growth remains subdued? Rupert Soames, head of the CBI, recently said politicians have a “shocking lack of understanding of business.” From where I sit, that’s hard to argue with. Because despite the ambition to grow, many businesses are being held back—not by lack of ideas or intent, but by […]

Planning doesn’t start when you sit at your desk. It starts the day before. You’ve heard the phrase, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.” But it’s not about being busy. It’s about having clarity. Why Busy People Get Things Done The people who consistently deliver aren’t reacting to the day. […]

Starting a new business is an exciting, but scary journey filled with opportunities and challenges. While every new entrepreneur dreams of success, you must be aware of the common pitfalls that can derail you. In this blog, we'll explore three common mistakes that start-up businesses often make and provide tips on how to avoid them. […]