Category Archives: Blog posts
Innovation: communication and inspiration in the organisation
The overarching theme of this blog is to show that better use of the skills and creativity of the UK advertising and communications sector would benefit society as a whole as well as business. But even I admit that, … Continue reading
The London Airport nondecision fiasco
In business, it is essential to be fast on your feet, identifying new opportunities and reacting to threats as quickly as possible. In public life, decisions are taken far more slowly, if at all, and, often, for all the … Continue reading
What UK politicians must learn from the Hoover Free Flights Fiasco
Oh dear, I have a feeling this will be my angriest post since ‘DLA Disgrace’ in September 2011. Hang on to your hats… As an independent candidate at the last UK general election in 2010, it was only when canvassing started that … Continue reading
Why things can only get worse in 2014
The dawn of a New Year is a looking forward to what is to come and for reflection, a time for taking stock. There are two things we know will happen during 2014: First, a relentless, inexorable, incessant and, … Continue reading
A master class in the art of chairing a meeting
Lord Kingsdown died last month. He was best known as Chairman of the NatWest and then Governor of the Bank of England. I knew him as Robin Leigh-Pemberton and through playing cricket on the private ground at his estate … Continue reading
The difference between a product and a service
In my last post, I shared my experience of pouring hundreds of cans of beer down the drain in Vietnam due the high level of care Heineken take to ensure that every can of their lager meets their strict quality … Continue reading
The difference between a commodity and a brand
An abiding memory of my career is sitting on a pavement in Saigon pouring hundreds of cans of lager down the drain. As an expert in the potential of the Vietnam market, having been there once before, I was with … Continue reading
Household energy: what gas and electricity suppliers must learn from the oil companies
Here we are again. Great Britain, I can report, has descended to the yaboo politics of yesteryear. Inept career politicians, none of whom have ever managed a business, biff-baff each other with naïve and unrealistic ‘policies’ to the detriment of … Continue reading
How the UK Government ignored the most basic law of advertising
The Rt Hon Theresa May, Secretary of State for the Home Office has announced that she wishes to create a ‘hostile environment‘ for illegal migrants to Britain. But early attempts to do this run the risk of alienating those of … Continue reading
Max Mosley: are you an amateur or a professional in life?
These days, television programmes come round and round like race cars on a track. Gone are the days when, if you missed them, you missed them. And you can pause and rewind programmes too which means, if anyone says anything … Continue reading