Leaders, Governance and the Chaplain

At the 9th World Congress on Corporate Governance, held at the Royal Overseas League in London last week, I was responsible for chairing a session on Social Capital. Asked by the organisers to introduce myself, it seemed a good idea… Continue reading

What makes an ethical leader?

The Ethical Corporation, publishers of EC Magazine, have just released their annual list of “ethical leaders”. It features:1) Stuart Rose – Chief executive, iconic UK retailer Marks & Spencer. 2) Lee Scott – Chief executive, Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer.… Continue reading

When people ask me if Leadership Development works…

I always try to give examples, and here’s one that ought to inspire a few of us to go that little bit further. From the Nova Scotia News: Sunday 9th December 2007.By Cathy von Kintzel ANTIGONISH — Mary Wambui Gatama… Continue reading

Contempt for Customers – 2 Tropicana Pure Premium

Running alongside my occasional series on Management Insults, I thought I’d add a set of entries entitled, “Contempt for Customers” that will highlight some of the ways in which companies, largely through their marketing materials or product packaging demonstrate their… Continue reading

Contempt for Customers – 1 Chiltern Railways

Running alongside my occasional series on Management Insults, I thought I’d add a set of entries entitled, “Contempt for Customers” that will highlight some of the ways in which companies, largely through their marketing materials or product packaging demonstrate their… Continue reading

Profit and loss – more than a simple equation

In the real world, profit may be achieved fortuitously through little effort, minimal investment, almost immediately and at next to no risk. Conversely, losses can be incurred despite enormous effort, huge investment, tremendous ‘patience’, and great risk. Profits are NOT… Continue reading

Management Insults 2: "Pro Bono"

For a while now, I’ve been building a series of definitions of ‘management-speak’ terms that insult human intelligence. One day I might even find a publisher and release them as a dictionary, but for now, I thought I’d share a… Continue reading

How you can do a little bit for charity, without spending a penny (more)

Not a lot of people know this, but… there’s a market out there for used postage stamps. All kinds of stamps get sold by the kilo. There are a number of charities that trade in them too. Their supporters collect… Continue reading

Charity working and volunteers – a Good News story!

It’s taken me a few days to get round to posting this, but I felt it was well worth bringing to people’s attention. Each year, in mid-October, the specialist charity sector recruitment company, Charity People, run an event in London,… Continue reading

Is something ‘wrong’ with Britain?

Neurosis, also known as psychoneurosis or neurotic disorder, is a “catch all” term that refers to any mental imbalance that causes distress, but, unlike a psychosis or some personality disorders, does not prevent rational thought or an individual’s ability to… Continue reading