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How to Managing Effectively in Uncertain Times
In response to the new wave of lockdowns, McKinsey have produced a new assessment of the best approach to manage in a crisis. It’s a long (and very interesting) read, and many of their conclusions relate to larger organisations than those who typically read my material. But I’ve spotted some very helpful ideas/concepts that are…
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As remote working becomes commonplace, are agencies casting their net wider for the best global talent?
Fad, farce or game changer? Is remote working turning the tables on recruitment and enabling agencies to cast a wider net to find the right talent without having to worry about location? Do agency leaders still see benefits in ‘round the corner’ recruits? We asked leaders and business owners to tell us about whether the…
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Listener or talker? A 5-minute self analysis exercise
Take a moment to ask 5-10 people whether they think you’re a listener or a talker – be clear that they can only choose one. Whatsapp them, call them or drop them an email – and then wait with bated breaths as they decide your fate. I’d suggest you contact people from a few different walks…
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All Covid-19 adverts are the same (cue sombre piano music)
Film from YouTube creator Microsoft Sam shows striking similarities in ads from Apple to Uber. All the Covid-19 cliches in one big supercut. Have a watch:
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Agency Issues – ‘If I put up my prices, my clients will leave’
I had quite the reaction to the recent pricing new business article, so much so I thought I’d dig out another chat I had with Quality of Mind authority Martin Palethorpe. We explored one of the most prominent issues for business owners, discussions with clients about pricing (in particular, the raising of them). This is…
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The fact is, you’re always negotiating (even when you think you’re not)
Real agency problems and solutions Ever found yourself wanting to charge more for a job but feeling you can’t because you’re dealing with a new client or opportunity? A client – let’s call him Adam – called me to chew over an issue. He had a new prospect, who worked for a brand within a…
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The Importance of Quality of Mind to Enable Leaders to Shift Mindset
A couple of months ago I was delighted to sit down (albeit at our respective computers) and have an excellent discussion with Martin Palethorpe from Unbounded. Martin has spent the last five or six years focussing on working with people to teach them about the power and capabilities of their mind, enabling them to shift…
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Watch: Agency Leaders Series – Ruth Johnson & Andy Brown on the Risks of Working From Home
I hope this discussion between myself and Ruth Johnson – consummate HR Professional and Director at INK Group – directs you towards making better informed decisions regarding your home working policies. I also hope it provides some reassurance, and allows you to assess the positive potential and the possible pitfalls of remote working. Watch the…
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Flexible working and distributed businesses
I chaired a meeting yesterday where eight agency leaders discussed their approach to flexible working and distributed businesses. Few had developed a very evolved model and all were responding to a change they see around them, but in often different ways. Broadly, all were looking to understand what their peers were thinking and doing, and…
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Great leaders are accessible
Leaders lead. Find your way to be available to anyone. Be visible and be accountable. With change comes new thinking and uncertainty. So, what feels like opportunity to you, might feel disquieting for your team. Great leaders find lots of ways to be available and accessible to everyone in their business. Here’s a tactic you…
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The £100,000 pencil
I spent some of Bank Holiday Monday researching branded pencils (I know how to enjoy myself!!). Prices range from 6p to around one pound, with one outlier. AllBranded.co.uk (via paid search) are offering a branded pencil for £99,999. Not only that, there is a minimum order quantity of 1000. So the minimum order would be…
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CEO, Web Solutions Agency
It’s been great working with you – in short we’ve loved having you on board and you felt like an extension of the team. It’s safe to say you’ve helped us a huge amount.
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MD, Media Agency
We used Andy to train and develop the senior client-facing leaders on developing commercially curious conversations. This has paid dividends … in a difficult economic environment
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Book Review: The Inside Out Revolution by Michael Neill
Summary: tap into your deeper intelligence to access your natural wisdom. Easy to read, hard to master advice that could be life changing 9/10. At 120 pages with writing that is simple, clear and repetitive, this is not a demanding read. In fact, the fundamental idea is also very simple and easy to grasp. The…
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Book Review: The Go Giver by Bob Burg and John Mann
Summary: A parable which reminds you that being genuine and engaged can lead to huge rewards. 7/10 Some business books a weighty tomes that promote a single, often self-evident, truth across hundreds of pages. This really engaging little book takes a huge idea and delivers the whole thing in under 100 (small) pages. A Go-Giver…
