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Strategy March 24, 2023What are the best metrics to track through economic uncertainty?What are the best metrics to track through economic uncertainty?  Uncertainty continues. Only this week, the markets have been spooked …

Strategy March 17, 2023The seven most common problems that could be holding your business backYou’re the CEO of a fast-moving business. All the stars are aligned. You have a strong strategy, white space in your …

March 10, 2023Why you need to find your stinky fish before it poisons your businessAre your teams open and honest with each other?  Or do you sense they’re carrying around things they’re not confronting?  …

Organisational agility March 3, 2023Why a Target Operating Model is the best tool to focus your team on what mattersYou’re sitting in an endless Executive meeting. Every week it’s the same. Each team member feels compelled to report the …

Culture Building February 24, 2023Why healthy conflict is a good thing (and how to build it in your team)Imagine this. You’re in an Executive Team meeting. The discussion turns into a controversial decision. You go around the room, and there’s …

High performing teams February 17, 2023Why managers need to coach, not manage, in a fast-growing businessStop for a moment and think. Call to mind a manager in your business. Someone who you promoted but isn’t …

Purpose February 10, 2023Why your New Year’s Resolutions have already failed (for you and your business)The Christmas and New Year break is always a reflective time. In amongst the festivities and fixtures, there’s a natural …

Strategy February 9, 20237 important lessons from Jim Collins’ ‘Good to Great’Jim Collins’ books – where do I start? They’re some of my favourite management books of all time. You must …

Culture Building February 6, 2023The Best Technique for Feedback. Stop Start Continue.Do you struggle with giving feedback? You’re not alone. Many of the CEOs I coach find this difficult.  There’s a natural …

Organisational agility February 3, 2023Five ways to make your business more agile (and help it grow through uncertainty)Volatility is the ‘new normal’. Think back to the heady, pre-pandemic days of 2019. The job market was burning hot, …

Core Customer January 27, 2023Why focus is the secret to fast business growthThere’s no denying it. It’s tough out there. Many business leaders who come to us asking for help feel exhausted …

High performing teams January 26, 2023The four super-powers that great managers needCast your mind back. Have you ever worked for a bad manager? Can you remember how you felt?  Frustrated? Despaired? …

Sales January 20, 2023How to turbocharge your sales team to achieve ambitious revenue goalsYou’re planning for 2023. There’s a growth target you want to hit, so you’re looking at the sales you will …

Organisational agility January 13, 2023Six things you need to do to ensure business transformations succeedYou’ve invested time, money and effort into a significant business transformation. Getting to this point has taken dedication from the …

January 6, 2023How to do more with less to grow your business beyond 2023Inflation has gripped the UK economy. You’re looking at the New Year and thinking, ‘We’ve got to put our prices …

Recommended Podcasts December 30, 2022Top business podcasts of 2022Last week I shared my favourite books of this year. Today, I bring you some amazing podcasts. I love podcasts. …

Recommended Books December 23, 2022Top 10 business books of 2022I’ve read so many great books this year, and I’ve had the pleasure of talking with some of the authors …

December 16, 2022The five definitive steps towards creating an effective team charterYou’re in a never-ending meeting. Other team members are monopolising the airtime. No one’s making any decisions, and you can …

Strategy December 9, 2022How to accelerate your business growth through value-based pricingDo you charge all your customers the same price? Be honest here. And did you reach that price by looking …

High performing teams December 2, 2022The seven main reasons businesses fail to transformHere’s a scenario. You’re the CEO of a business that’s hit a wall. The excitement of your start-up days is …

High performing teams November 25, 2022The five best metrics to use in talent recruitmentHiring A-Player talent is the most significant difference you can make to your growing business. Because it’s so important, it’s …

Sales November 18, 2022Eight reasons why now is the perfect time to hire top sales talentOnce again, the UK is heading into a recession.  Inflation is breaking new records every week. There’s no end in …

High performing teams November 11, 2022How to hold an effective skip-level meeting and what questions to askDo you know what’s going on in your business? What’s REALLY going on behind the smoke and mirrors? Or do …

Talent Management November 4, 2022Why any fast-growing company should bin the nine-box talent gridDoes your company use the nine-box talent grid? It’s a core model beloved by HR Departments around the world. You …

OKRs October 27, 202212 Revealing Questions to Discuss as a Team Every Time You Review OKRsDo you use OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)? They’re a great way to focus effort within a business. When life …

Strategy October 21, 2022Why pricing based on value is better than pricing on costSimple question. Is your business making enough money? No? Are your margins disappearing as inflation bites? Maybe it’s time to …

Organisational agility October 14, 2022How to maintain your business growth in a world of uncertaintyUncertainty is back, and this time it’s on steroids. The UK economy is tanking, and interest rates are soaring. Instead …

Core Customer October 7, 2022How customer feedback data is just as important as financial dataThink back to your last Executive meeting. Was there any discussion of customer feedback? If so, was this dominated by …

Organisational agility September 30, 2022Seven ways to stop ‘productivity paranoia’ causing stagnation in your business growthHeard the phrase ‘productivity paranoia’? It’s been in the news this week. Microsoft released the results of a major new …

Organisational agility September 23, 2022What is the best meeting rhythm to optimise growth in your business?Here’s a question. Do you spend all your time in meetings? Hour after hour and day after day? And despite …

Scaling Up September 16, 2022How do you write a comprehensive business plan to grow your companyDo you have a strong idea of where your company is heading? Is this in the form of a business …

High performing teams September 9, 2022How an agile culture will help your business adapt and grow‘Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.’ These were Dwight Eisenhower’s words in a speech in 1957. It’s worth remembering …

Leadership September 2, 2022Eleven proven ways to become a better CEOOpen your diary and look through the last week. What do you see? Is it crammed with the day-to-day running …

High performing teams August 26, 2022Seven reasons why you’re not recruiting the best people for your growing businessRecruiting talented people is the single most significant difference you can make to your business. It’s way more important than …

High performing teams August 19, 2022Eight tried and tested tips to improve staff engagement in your businessTimes are uncertain. Inflation is at a 40-year high and heading towards 13%. The Bank of England forecasts a UK …

Strategy August 12, 2022Eleven proven ways to grow your business through a recessionHere we are again on the brink of another recession. It’s all so familiar. The media is full of doom …

Leadership August 4, 2022How should you spend your valuable time to be a successful CEO?Are you bogged down in the relentless grind of running your business?  Feeling there aren’t enough hours in the day …

Organisational agility July 29, 2022Why size matters when it comes to your Executive TeamSimple question.  How big is your Executive team? Five people? Eight? Twelve? This is important because the more extensive your …

Core Customer July 22, 2022Why you need product marketing people to turbocharge your business growthDoes your company tend to copy competitors? Maybe you piggyback on the tech that others have developed? That’s not unusual. We see …

Positioning July 15, 2022Why your growth strategy needs focus and depth on attributesLet me read your mind for a moment. I’m trying to guess why your business is different from your competitors. …

Core Customer July 8, 20228 common mistakes companies make with NPS (and how to fix them)Net Promoter Score. Do you use it? It’s one of our top recommendations to clients who, like us, are obsessed with …

Core Customer July 1, 2022How to build a customer success team that will grow your businessFeel like you’re filling a leaky bucket? That’s frustrating. No sooner have you won a new customer than a couple more …

Core Customer June 24, 2022Why putting all your eggs in one basket is good for business growthHas anyone ever told you it’s a bad idea to concentrate on a few big customers? It’s a line of …

High performing teams June 17, 20228 reasons why executive teams fail to set productive goalsYou’re CEO of a company that’s scaling fast. You’ve assembled a leadership team where everyone’s on top of their game. …

Organisational agility June 16, 2022How To Make Your Startup More Successful With Lean Start-UpCreating a startup comes with many risks; inherently, it is a hit-or-miss proposition. A study by Harvard Business School’s Shikhar …

Scaling Up June 10, 20228 practical ways to galvanise your decision-makingFinding it harder to make decisions as your company grows?  That’s not unusual. When businesses start out, teams are small, …

High performing teams June 3, 2022The 3 levels of psychological safety that are vital to business growthThink back through your career.  Bring to mind the teams you’ve been part of.  How would you rate them on …

Positioning May 27, 2022What are core competencies and why are they important for business growth?Have you ever drilled down into the unique abilities of your business? Or picked something that you know you can …

Positioning May 20, 2022How to write a mission statement for a businessDo you raise your eyebrows when someone mentions mission statements? It’s easy to get cynical. Too many companies use bullshit phrases …

Strategy May 13, 2022Why finding strategic thinkers is essential to business growthImagine this. You’ve been working in your industry for at least ten years. You know your customers inside out and …

Leadership May 6, 2022Chief of Staff vs Executive Assistant – are you clear on the difference?You’re CEO of a fast-growing business. You’ve assembled a high performing leadership team with energy, ideas and vision. But you’re finding it hard …

Culture Building April 29, 20227 ways to deal with bad apples before they rot your businessThink back through your career. I bet you’ve come across a few bad apples. People who were rude, negative or liked …

Culture Building April 22, 2022How bad apples ruin it for the rest of usStruggling with productivity?  Ever stopped to wonder why?  Could you be carrying a few bad apples?  Look around any company …

Strategy April 14, 2022Why strategic context is so essential to business growthLet me ask you a question. What’s the best fruit in the world? Apples maybe?  Or grapes? I might be thinking bananas. But …

High performing teams April 8, 20229 tried and tested ways to improve meetings in your businessWhat makes a shit meeting?  I bet you can give me loads of things. Endless waffling. Unfocused agendas.  No tangible …

Core Customer March 31, 2022Why Simon Sinek is fundamentally wrongSimon Sinek's Golden Circle of ‘Why’, ‘How’ and ‘What’ is important, but it’s fundamentally wrong. It is missing a fourth circle - ‘Who’.

High performing teams March 25, 2022Why ‘tours of duty’ are the best way to motivate and develop your staffLet me ask you something.  When you offer someone a job in your company, are you thinking they’ll be with …

High performing teams March 18, 2022Why ’empowering your people’ won’t help your company growEmpowerment.  It’s a real buzz-word.  Companies trumpet it loudly from the rooftops – ‘We empower our people’ emblazoned all over …

High performing teams March 11, 2022Why knowing your team’s ‘Working Genius’ will lead your business to growthEvery human being is unique, with their natural gifts.  The way we think, act and feel are individual to each …

High performing teams March 4, 2022Why ‘Ideal Team Player’ is the best tool for interviewing top talentOK – so you get it.  You know that hiring A-Players is critical to your growth plans. It’s the difference …

Strategy February 25, 202210 ways to optimise your recruitment process to attract top talentWant to grow your business this year?  Then you’re going to need good people.  Hiring top talent is the single …

Organisational agility February 17, 2022How adopting agile techniques across your business will power growthAre you familiar with agile? If you’re working in tech, project management or software development, you’ve probably used this methodology. In …

Culture Building February 10, 2022Why it’s vital to plan for the inflection points of growthLet me ask you this.  Do you feel stuck?  Like all the fun’s gone out of work? Is profitability dropping?  …

Positioning February 3, 2022How to differentiate your business for fast and sustained growthDifferentiation.  Everyone says they’re doing it. Very few are doing it correctly.  If you want fast and sustained growth, you …

Culture Building January 27, 202210 proven tips for better 1:1 meetings with your teamSo you’ve decided to ditch annual appraisals after reading last week’s blog. Congratulations! You won’t regret it.  Instead, you want …

Organisational agility January 20, 2022Why annual appraisals are a waste of time (and what to do instead)12 months have rolled past.  It’s appraisal time.  You’re sitting opposite your manager to talk through the objectives you set …

OKRs January 13, 2022How to use Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to drive your business growthIt’s the start of 2022. You’ve decided this is the year your business changes course.  No more status quo. It’s …

Positioning January 7, 2022How to get clarity on your strategy for 2022Has Christmas given you some breathing space to think about your business?  Maybe downing tools and taking a break has …

Recommended Podcasts December 31, 2021Top Business Podcast of 2021I love podcasts! This is no surprise – I’m the proud host of one of the world’s top 3% most …

Recommended Books December 24, 2021Top Business (and Non-Business) Books of 2021Have you read enough books this year? Any that made you think differently or taught you something new?  I love …

Culture Building December 17, 2021Why salary transparency is such a good thingYou’ve decided you want to hire some impressive new talent.  They’re the A-Players you’ve been searching for to help you …

Organisational agility December 10, 2021Want to grow your business in 2022? Then ditch annual planningAre your thoughts turning to next year?  Thinking you need a new plan to grow your business in 2022?  Maybe …

Culture Building December 3, 2021How To Deal With ‘Toxic A-Players’ Before They Wreck Your BusinessPicture the scene.  It’s Christmas in an M&S warehouse. A bunch of graduates have just been hired to help with …

Innovation November 26, 2021How ‘single-threaded leadership’ will turbo-charge your business growthYou’ve done everything right so far.  Your Executive Team are all A-Players.  Together, you’ve worked on a killer strategy that …

Culture Building November 19, 2021Are your core values a load of old bollox?‘Integrity. Excellence. Teamwork. Quality’… recognise any of these?  Loads of businesses use them to describe their company values. And they …

Core Customer November 5, 2021How selling more to your core customer will help your business growYou’re sitting in an Executive Team meeting.  The conversation turns to your customers.  What thoughts do you have in your …

Resource Allocation October 22, 2021How measuring your ‘labour efficiency ratio’ will drive your profits higherYou’re an ambitious CEO of a business with real potential. You’ve assembled a great team of A-Players and everything looks …

Core Customer October 15, 2021How to get total clarity on the identity of your core customerIf there’s one thing that most CEOs struggle with, it’s knowing who buys their company’s products.  Early on in our …

Core Customer October 8, 2021How A Value Proposition Canvas Will Give Your Business The EdgeSimple question. Why do people buy your products or services? And not your competitors’? Do you have an immediate answer? Is it …

Cash October 1, 2021Why the ‘Power of One’ is the best tool to fix cash flow in your businessDid you know that a 1% adjustment on three levers in your business could increase your net profit by 19%?  …

Cash September 23, 2021How getting cash flow right will help your business grow‘Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, cash is king.’ Heard that phrase before? It’s probably familiar to you, particularly the last …

Strategy September 17, 2021How an activity fit map will set your business apart from your competitorsWhat is it that differentiates your business from others in the same space?  Do you know immediately or is your …

Strategy September 10, 2021How clarity over your value chain will grow your businessSit back in your chair and think for a moment. What is it your company does that really drives profitability? Are …

High performing teams September 3, 2021Why Friday Pulse is the best tool for measuring staff engagementLet me ask you something. Are your staff happy?  Do you think it matters if they are?  Do you know …

Recommended Podcasts August 23, 2021Top 10 Business PodcastsI love learning new things every day. There’s always something new to discover and, sometimes, to challenge you to think …

Recommended Books August 16, 2021Top Book Recommendations For Your HolidayAre you looking for some holiday reading? Summer is here and we all know what that means: spending time with …

Leadership August 13, 20217 guaranteed ways to improve accountability in your businessImagine this. Your team’s been working on a significant project for months. But unfortunately, they’ve failed spectacularly to hit the goals …

High performing teams August 6, 2021Why it’s important to motivation to keep score, every dayPeople love to compete.  It’s hard-wired into our DNA.  Look at the Olympics.  Not only is it inspiring to see …

Core Customer July 23, 20215 ways to help you say ‘no’ more than you say ‘yes’Do you get a hit from new ideas?  Does your serotonin peak when you think about a different approach? And …

OKRs July 16, 2021Objectives vs Tasks – why knowing the difference will lead to growthYou’ve got a problem. Something needs fixing in your business.  Maybe you’re losing margin to a competitor or there’s a …

Culture Building July 9, 2021How listening to your people will power your business growthYou know the importance of listening to customers. It’s a no-brainer. How else do you ensure good retention and satisfaction …

Talent Management July 2, 2021Why you need a talent strategy to grow your businessHere’s a question for you.  Who runs your recruitment?  Your HR Manager?  Or is it out-sourced? It staggers me how …

Leadership June 28, 2021Why Self-Awareness Is Essential to Successful LeadershipSelf-awareness is commonly associated with the desirable skillset for leadership, providing myriad benefits for businesses, from improving the company’s bottom …

Strategy June 25, 2021How to nail down a powerful, post-pandemic vision for your businessWhat does the future hold for your business?  Does everything feel different as we emerge from the pandemic?  Is the …

High performing teams June 18, 202110 surefire ways to improve execution in your businessYou’re an ambitious CEO with your eyes firmly set on the horizon. You know your tech business has considerable potential. And you’re …

High performing teams June 11, 2021Why Looking After Your ‘A-Players’ has never been more importantAre you clear on the identity of your A-Players in your business?  Do they know they’re A-Players?  Have you told …

Culture Building June 4, 2021The Ultimate Guide To Recruiting Top Talent For Your CompanyAs a CEO or business leader, you have to make sure that your company has the right talent in place …

Culture Building May 28, 2021Why getting your people back in the office could be the best decision you makeWhen was the last time you surveyed your whole team about an important strategic decision you had to make? My …

Positioning May 21, 2021How A Strategic Council Will Keep Your Business On CourseOK – so you’ve come up with a new strategy. The whole Executive Team is on board. The excitement is …

May 19, 2021How to Get the Most Out of Business MentoringYou may think that being a mentee makes you a passive recipient, but nothing could be further from the truth. …

Scaling Up May 14, 2021What is the growth trap (and is your business stuck in it?)Feeling weighed down by your business? Or nostalgic for the irrepressible fun of those heady start-up days?  Do you yearn …

Positioning April 30, 2021Strategy vs operational effectiveness – are you clear on the difference?Step back for a moment.  Imagine you’re looking at your industry as a whole. What do you see?  My bet …

Sales April 22, 2021Why dysfunctional sales is at the heart of many dysfunctional businesses- and how to fix itThe Machine:  A Radical Approach to the Design of the Sales Function by Justin Roff- Marsh is a book that …

Organisational agility April 16, 2021How Using Metronome Growth Systems (MGS) Will Power Your Business GrowthTick… tick… tick… the sound of a metronome is very familiar to musicians.  They use them to improve their timing, …

Sales April 15, 2021Who are the top salespeople, and why you should not be paying them commissionI recently wrote a blog discussing Justin Roff-Marsh’s approach to sales structure which he lays out in his fantastic book …

Culture Building April 9, 2021The 8 essential elements of trust in businessShut your eyes, just for a moment. Imagine a world where you trusted everyone. What would be different?  Cars would …

Purpose April 1, 2021Why You Need Clarity on Your Core PurposeMany of the CEOs I work with struggle to find a meaningful sense of purpose for their business. It’s just …

Sales April 1, 20217 Effective Steps To Increase Your Close RateDo you twitch when someone mentions sales?  What’s your first thought? Sleazy second-hand car dealers?  Dodgy double-glazing salesmen?  Stealing lollipops …

Scaling Up March 26, 2021How to optimise your exit plan for the best resultsNeed to ready your business for sale?  Or show equity growth to your investors? Maybe you’ve been running your business …

Culture Building March 19, 2021How fixing dysfunctional behaviours will help your business grow‘It’s not my fault I missed my target.’  ‘There was nothing I could do.’ ‘All the world’s against me.’  Recognise …

OKRs March 12, 202110 proven tips for creating more effective OKRsYou’ve probably heard of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results).  You might already be using them.  Originally developed as a methodology …

Sales March 4, 2021How to get the best results from your sales teamOK – here’s a simple question. Do you have a sales problem?  Not enough new customers buying your products?  Are …

Sales February 26, 2021How to hire an amazing first salesperson for your businessYou’re a successful CEO of a founder-led business. You’ve achieved product-market fit that’s showing great potential.  And you’re clear on …

Leadership February 19, 20214 reasons why successful CEOs need a Chief of Staff (and not a COO)Why do some CEOs win and others don’t?  What is it that enables founders like Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos …

Culture Building February 5, 2021How to create a culture of discipline for growthFeeling overwhelmed?  Or frustrated by slow progress? You’re not alone.  When they first come to me, my CEO clients are …

Strategy January 29, 2021What is ‘Profit Per X’ (and Why is it Powerful?)Here’s a deceptively simple question.  What type of business are you really in?  Do you know where your profit comes …

Culture Building January 22, 2021How to make remote onboarding more effectiveOne of the biggest challenges of the pandemic is the loss of human connection. We’re all struggling with this, at …

Leadership January 15, 2021Why you need to be a ‘Level 5 Leader’Humility.  Determination. Passion.  These are three characteristics of Level 5 Leaders. And it’s these qualities that set the leaders of …

Purpose January 8, 2021Is your business still heading in the right direction?Brutal. That’s how I’d describe 2020. And 2021 isn’t shaping up much better.  Here we are in our third national lockdown …

Organisational agility December 18, 2020What is a Level 10 Meeting (and why is it powerful)?Be honest.  Are your weekly Executive Team meetings a waste of time? Do you sit there, bored as hell, as your …

Organisational agility December 15, 2020What is a daily huddle (and why is it important?)Do your team members have a daily rhythm of daily team huddles? Or are they so lost in the busy-ness …

Sprints December 10, 2020How to write an annual plan for growthLet’s see if you recognise this. It’s time to produce your annual plan. As CEO, you look back at the previous …

Culture Building December 4, 2020How To Create A Culture Of Praise And CelebrationWhen did you last thank a member of your team? Yesterday? Last week? Can’t remember? For some of us, it comes easily. For …

Culture Building November 27, 2020Why you need to prioritise learning in your teamsHere’s a question for you. How fast can you peddle a bike? 10mph? 20mph? You may know the answer because you’re an ardent cyclist …

High performing teams November 20, 2020Why high performing teams need to be flexible and adaptableChange. It’s everywhere. Never have we existed in a more volatile world than the one that surrounds us today. COVID has …

Culture Building November 13, 2020How to build trust in high performing teamsBe honest.  When was the last time you put your hands up and said you got it wrong?  Or admitted …

Purpose November 6, 2020Why high performing teams need work with meaning‘Never let a good crisis go to waste.’ Churchill spoke these words during World War 2.  How true they seem …

Strategy October 23, 202014 powerful ways to boost your strategy sessionsIf you’re a CEO planning a strategy session or kick off with your Executive Team, it’s important to be well prepared.  Particularly …

High performing teams October 16, 2020How to ensure dependability in high-performing teamsAre you running on empty? Most of the CEOs and Exec teams that I coach are reporting burnout.  Remote working is …

High performing teams October 9, 2020Why high performing teams need psychological safetyYou’re chatting to a member of your team. During the conversation, you notice they’ve got spinach in their teeth. What do …

High performing teams October 2, 2020How to build a high-performance teamAre some of the teams in your business more successful than others?  Ever wondered why and wished all your teams …

Strategy September 25, 2020How to grow your business with powerful marketing metricsThinking of cutting back on marketing?  You won’t be alone.  In July this year, Marketing Week reported a record decline …

High performing teams September 11, 20205 sure-fire ways to make execution more effectiveThink back to January.  Did you resolve to do something life-changing? Get fit or lose some weight?  How’s that going …

Culture Building September 4, 2020How to focus on the right things in your businessFeeling stuck?  Swimming against a tsunami of demands with no hope of moving forwards?  You’re not alone.  Many of the …

Culture Building August 21, 2020The best tool for designing a growth cultureLooking to scale-up your business? Wondering where to start and how to put the right structure in place?  You could …

Organisational agility August 14, 2020How regular rhythms unlock powerful growthThe seasons, the tides, sunrise and sunset. The rhythms that surround us give reassurance to our lives. When they’re interrupted, …

High performing teams August 7, 2020Why you need to be open and honest with your staffTell me. Do you shy away from difficult conversations?  If someone in your team says something stupid, do you roll …

Culture Building July 23, 2020Why you need to practice to build a powerful cultureAre you deliberate about shaping the culture of your business? Or does it evolve around you with very little thought? …

Culture Building July 17, 2020How to ensure clear expectations for all your staff‘I know what’s expected of me at work’.  It’s no coincidence that this is the first, foundational question of the …

Culture Building July 10, 20209 powerful ways to unlock pride in your businessSetting high standards.  Believing in what you do.  Feeling part of a great team. These all come down to pride. People …

Culture Building June 26, 2020How to build a culture of responsibility in your businessSimple question. Is your office kitchen a mess? Do people wash up their plates and mugs? Or leave them in the sink …

Culture Building June 19, 2020Why now is the best time to change the culture of your businessChange. It’s all around us. Everywhere you look, people are re-evaluating. The pandemic has made us realise that nothing is certain. It’s impossible …

Culture Building June 12, 2020Why is purpose so important to business culture?Has COVID-19 made you re-think everything about your life? There’s no doubt that the period of lockdown has been a …

Culture Building June 5, 2020The 10 most important features of a strong and powerful cultureYou know business culture is important. But you’re not entirely sure why. Or how to influence the culture in your …

Culture Building May 29, 2020What is culture and why is it important?Picture the scene. Marks & Spencer. 1988. A warehouse up north. 50 students have just been hired over Christmas to …

Innovation May 22, 2020How to thrive (not just survive) after recessionIt’s clear we’re in for a deep and long-lasting recession. Only this week, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak warned that Britain …

Strategy May 15, 2020How to build powerful momentum in your businessAre you re-thinking your entire approach to your business? You won’t be alone. The economic disruption of the pandemic is starting …

Sprints May 6, 2020How to get your business back on trackIt’s hard to remember a more disruptive period than the last six weeks.  The global pandemic has caused mayhem that …

High performing teams May 1, 2020How to get complete clarity over executionEver feel like things aren’t running well in your business?  Can’t put your finger on why?  Maybe there’s no easy …

Organisational agility April 24, 2020Are you measuring the right things in your business?Concerned about the future?  You’re most certainly not alone. It seems inconceivable that a few short weeks could turn the …

Strategy April 17, 2020How to think strategically through a crisisThe coronavirus crisis poses many dangers. Most obvious are physical health impacts.  But less apparent, and more widespread, are the …

High performing teams April 9, 2020How to make remote sales teams more successfulWeek three of lockdown and no sign of normality returning any time soon. People are starting to accept that we’re …

High performing teams March 27, 2020How to make remote employees more productiveUnprecedented. A word we’ve heard a lot recently. It’s been used to describe the restrictions to daily life, the scientific …

Organisational agility March 20, 2020How to make communication with remote teams really slickWell – what a difference a week makes. It feels like the world has shifted on its axis.  The outbreak …

Resource Allocation February 28, 2020Are non-executive directors worth your time and money?Running a business can be tough at the best of times.  So many unplanned challenges and obstacles facing you every …

Organisational agility February 21, 2020How brand promises can guarantee unparalleled growthIn a frantic world where trust is hard to come by, brand promises matter.  They’re how people learn whether they …

Vision February 14, 2020What is a BHAG® and why is it powerful?Ever feel like you need an interpreter?  Acronyms are everywhere in business. They’ve become a language in their own right, …

Scaling Up February 7, 2020How To Craft A Killer Business Strategy For The First TimeMade any plans for 2020? Feeling confident about the future? Is there a clear road-map in your business, leading to …

Culture Building January 24, 2020How to deal with toxic employeesIt’s so easy for corrosive attitudes to set in and spread like wildfire in a business.  Often they originate with …

Talent Management January 17, 2020Transform recruitment and manage staff performance with a job scorecardI’m going to let you into a secret.  There’s a method that I’ve introduced to my CEO clients which they’ve …

High performing teams January 10, 2020Why talent assessment is crucial to scaling up your businessHow good are your team?  A simple question that often involves facing up to hard truths. If your plans for …

Recommended Books December 18, 2019Want to improve your fitness in 2020? Then get reading…There’s no doubt in my mind. Getting better at fitness has been a big part of my success as a …

Strategy December 13, 2019Why your company needs a ‘talk trigger’Creating a buzz.  Getting people talking.  Doing something remarkable.  This is what you want for your business.  In a world …

Rockefeller Habits December 6, 2019How to create the right surroundings for growth (Rockefeller Habit #10)You’re an ambitious CEO with your sights set on growth.  You want to scale-up and have a plan to get …

High performing teams November 29, 2019Do your staff know when they’ve had a good day? (Rockefeller Habit #9)Motivation and engagement – the holy grails of any business.  With productivity levels languishing in the UK, companies need to …

Scaling Up November 22, 201910 ways to build a scaling-up mindsetThere’s no doubt about it.  Scaling-up is hard work. It requires a sea change in management thinking and a whole …

Rockefeller Habits November 15, 2019Do your employees “get” your strategy? (Rockefeller Habit #8)Here’s a challenge for you.  Tomorrow, ask your staff to describe your company strategy.  Could they do this quickly and …

Culture Building November 8, 2019How to bring values and purpose to life in your business (Rockefeller Habit #7)Feeling a bit cynical about the idea of company values and purpose?  Think they’re a load of corporate waffle dreamt …

Core Customer November 1, 20196 surefire ways to build a customer-centric business (Rockefeller Habit #6)Criticism. Sometimes it can be hard to take.  It’s so easy to get defensive and try to blame everyone else. …

Culture Building October 25, 2019Want your business to grow? Then you need to listen to your staff (Rockefeller Habit #5)Scaling a business isn’t easy.  It takes effort, dedication and a systematic approach.  You need to adopt new ways of …

Culture Building October 18, 2019Why nailing accountability is essential to growing your business (Rockefeller Habit #4)Simple question.  Does your business have the right people, doing the right things in the right way?  It’s common for …

Rockefeller Habits October 11, 2019How to introduce a communication rhythm to your business (Rockefeller Habit #3)Rhythms are a natural part of life.  We’re all familiar with the rhythm of nature, the regular cycle of the …

OKRs October 4, 20195 ways to get staff on board with your quarterly theme (Rockefeller Habit #2)Be honest. Is your business stuck in an endless cycle of unfinished projects?  Is energy being wasted by people going …

Sales September 27, 2019How measuring sales velocity will accelerate growth‘I don’t have enough leads’.  Sound familiar? How often do you hear this excuse from your salespeople?  It’s pretty common …

Sales September 20, 2019How the right pricing strategy can transform your businessWishing your business was more profitable? You’re not alone. Many of the CEOs I speak to are frustrated. Their order …

Strategy September 12, 2019An attribution map is what you need to nail your strategyDo you have a clear strategy for your business?  Such a simple question but boy, can it be difficult to …

Purpose September 6, 2019What Is Core Purpose In Business (And How Do You Find It?)What is core purpose in business (and how do you find it?) People yearn for certainty and meaning in their …

High performing teams August 15, 2019How CliftonStrengths® will help your business growEveryone is different. Fact. Our thoughts, motivations and talents are entirely unique. It’s one of the many fascinating aspects of …

Scaling Up August 8, 20195 roadblocks on the Scaling-Up journey (and how to smash through them)Want to Scale-Up your business?  Feeling fired up and ready to take on the world? Make no mistake.  Scaling-Up is …

Organisational agility August 1, 2019Using 3HAG Can Turbocharge Your BusinessHow using the 3HAG Way can turbocharge your business growth Tell me. Is your business strategy crystal clear? Do you …

Culture Building July 26, 2019What is trust in business (and how do you build it?)Do you trust your colleagues? Do they trust you?  Simple questions that are loaded with significance.  In theory, it’s easy …

High performing teams July 19, 2019‘Nine Lies About Work’ – are they really lies?I love to read. To my mind, if you’re a business leader, you can’t afford not to.  I often hear excuses. …

Culture Building July 12, 201910 ways for your business to make a good first impressionFirst impressions count, right? Everyone knows that.  It’s almost a cliché. There are various stats out there saying that judgements …

Organisational agility July 5, 2019How to bring focus and clarity to your businessIs your company in overwhelm? Doing too much but never seem to move forward? Time and again, I see this …

Culture Building June 14, 2019Want to scale up? Then start praising your staff!Saying thank you. Noticing a job well done.  Spotting positive behaviour. These make a massive difference to staff engagement.  And …

Organisational agility June 7, 2019Why you need NPS® to grow your businessIt’s always puzzled me.  Why do so many businesses focus on finding new customers rather than keeping the ones they’ve …

Organisational agility May 31, 2019What are the Rockefeller Habits (and why use them)?Mastering the Rockefeller Habits to Scale Up your business There’s a reason why I rate Mastering the Rockefeller Habits. I’ve seen …

High performing teams May 13, 2019How to supercharge your executive teamBe honest. Is your exec team as good as it could be?  Are they tight-knit, collaborative and honest? Do they …

High performing teams May 10, 2019Why your business needs to put coaching firstLearning, developing, growing – there’s a reason these three words go together. You can’t have one without the other. They depend …

Rockefeller Habits May 3, 20195 things that make executive teams powerfulThe executive team is healthy and aligned (Rockefeller Habit #1) You’re an ambitious CEO with your sights set on growth. …

Scaling Up April 26, 2019Why the Gallup Q12 is the best tool for growthWhy this is the best employee engagement survey for scaling up I love the Gallup Q12 survey. It’s a fantastic …

Culture Building April 8, 20197 top tips for successful recruitmentIs recruitment one of your biggest headaches? Many of the CEOs I coach say attracting the right people is a …

Culture Building April 5, 2019Want better productivity? Then prioritise happiness!If you’re serious about growing your business, there are a few fundamentals you can’t afford to ignore.  Number one on …

Culture Building March 14, 2019How to build honesty and candour in your businessTelling it straight.  Being open and honest. Giving constructive guidance and feedback.  They all sound simple but are, in fact, …

Culture Building March 1, 2019The 5 core principles of successful scale-upsYou’re CEO on a mission.  You’ve amassed a talented team of people with energy and determination. Your business model has …

High performing teams February 22, 201910 ways to turbocharge your meetingsAre most of the meetings in your company a waste of time? When I’m working with a group of people …

Culture Building February 15, 20196 reasons why you should measure engagement (in customers and staff)I’ll say it until you’re bored of listening. Happy staff + happy customers = profitability.  Simple! I think that’s all …

Culture Building February 7, 2019How to create core values with valueHow to create core values with value “Company values”.  Two words that are often loaded with corporate hot air and …

High performing teams February 1, 2019Why Businesses with Purpose Grow FasterTimes are uncertain. We’re surrounded by turmoil and feel unsettled by events beyond our control. People have always searched for …

Purpose January 25, 2019How to find the best talent for your businessThere’s a reason ‘Talent’ is first on my 10 Point Plan For Scaling Your Business. It’s critical. Nothing is more …

Culture Building January 18, 201910 Point Plan For Scaling Your BusinessYou’ve decided you want to scale-up. You think your business is ready for rapid, significant and sustainable growth. But where …

Culture Building December 26, 2018How To Find The Right Rhythm For Scaling UpEvery business has its own rhythm.  Whether it’s meetings, goals, budgetary cycles or communication frequency – all can be influenced …

Culture Building December 20, 2018Great business cultures rely on great storiesStories and legends – they’re everywhere at this time of year.  Cards, advent calendars, school nativities, carols – they all …

Culture Building December 14, 2018Why artefacts and symbols matter to a great cultureBroken chairs. Strict dress codes. Dead flowers. Awful coffee. It’s amazing what everyday things can tell you about the culture …

Culture Building December 6, 2018How rituals and celebrations build great culturesBuying the tree. Wrapping the presents. Singing carols. Cooking a turkey. It’s pretty obvious what I’m talking about.  Sorry if …

Culture Building November 20, 2018How to know if your business is evolvingBusinesses are changing. Fact. Gone are the days of predictability, forecasting and long-term planning.  In an increasingly uncertain world, businesses …

Purpose July 27, 2018The One Page Personal Plan – How Writing Down Our Goals Can Turn Them Into RealityWhere do you see yourself in 10 to 25 years’ time? Now, that is a big question, isn’t it? Have …

Culture Building July 17, 2018The Sabotage Exercise – How to Self Identify Dysfunctional Team BehavioursDysfunctional teams, we’ve all seen them, and most of us will have been part of one at some point in …

Culture Building July 2, 2018Why Negative Feedback Is A GiftGiving negative feedback. We hate it, don’t we? Most people feel it’s one of the toughest jobs a manager has. …

Organisational agility June 26, 2018Boring, Pointless Meetings? They Don’t Need To Be That WayHave you ever felt like you’ve wasted your time by being in a meeting? I bet there isn’t anyone who …

Purpose June 19, 2018Follow Your North Star To Reach Those Goals  I’ve read a lot of books and articles about goal setting, and how important it is to set out …

Culture Building June 13, 2018The Importance Of Trust In BusinessWhy is trust important? To understand why trust is important in business we need to go back in time. Back …

Culture Building June 4, 2018Why People Matter In BusinessIn business, people matter. Or at least they do until they aren’t the thing that matter the most any more, …

Talent Management May 23, 2018The perfect job advert — it’s just like dating!How so? Think back to the last date you went on (if you can think back that far!). How do …

High performing teams May 19, 2018Reaching goals couldn’t be simpler with OKRsLet’s start at the beginning — what are OKRs? They are Objectives and Key Results. A process for setting, communicating and monitoring …

Sales May 19, 2018How To Hire Great SalespeopleWe all know how important a sales team is. If you’re not generating sales in your business, then you’re dead …

Culture Building May 19, 2018Recruitment — it’s all about sellingI’ve worked with a lot of high growth businesses and I’m sure most of them would say the one thing …

Culture Building April 26, 2018A workspace is so much more than a space to workGone are the days of boring, uninspiring, demotivating office spaces. We’re bombarded with lists of the ‘Coolest Office In The …

Sales April 10, 2018Isn’t it about time we re-thought sales commission?I know this is going to be a controversial idea. Some of you will dismiss it out of hand. But …