Exploring the Future: What Leaders Need to Learn
Sitting with two of my kids the other day I asked them, “so what can we learn from the great Explorers of the past?” – a probing question fueled by something I was reading at the time. “Like the guys who sailed around?” responded one of the Saplings … (this is what I...
Exploring the Future: What Leaders Need to Learn
Sitting with two of my kids the other day I asked them, “so what can we learn from the great Explorers of the past?” – a probing question fueled by something I was reading at the time. “Like the guys who sailed around?” responded one of the Saplings … (this is what I...
This changing world demands we redefine leadership
Pete Laburn recently sourced this excellent article by journalist, Judith Ancer. The original source has now been removed, for some reason, so I have included it in full below. Although primarily directed a parents raising children, this piece epitomises what I...
Is China the most capitalist government in the world?
A provocative question: Is China the most capitalist government in the world? I mean this in a very specific way. They are clearly not a democratic or open government, and they preside over the largest socialist system in the world. The rulers still claim communism...
Why people follow brands on social media – insights for social marketers
I was watching a video by one of Microsoft UK's top digital marketing strategists (you can too, it's available on YouTube, courtesy of Digital Surrey). In it, he shows research about why people follow brands on social media. It's very insightful. Before you look at...
Why people follow brands on social media – insights for social marketers
I was watching a video by one of Microsoft UK's top digital marketing strategists (you can too, it's available on YouTube, courtesy of Digital Surrey). In it, he shows research about why people follow brands on social media. It's very insightful. Before you look at...
America in 2012 – an important, and scary year lies ahead
It was Abraham Lincoln who said, "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." I am not one of the doomsayers about America's future. I think the American "empire" has a long way to...
Can I drive, Dad? …Leaders and Control.
Control is a word that is arguably the source of the greatest conflicts, whether you are a leader or a parent. In the early years of parenting the issue of control is often reminiscent of a ‘phony war’ – one easily ‘won’ by the oversized and dominant parent who...
A Call for Audacity!
“The world needs invention and daring now more than ever. Now is the time for audacity, not austerity." This month's HBR is spotlighting being happy and being audacious. Why are we not exploiting the power of happiness and why are we not encouraging audaciousness? We...
The Last 48 Hours…
... Sounds like death row, but no, in fact it is the day before the last day of 2011. This is the time of year where some people feverishly organise nights out, parties, get togethers, perhaps even fireworks. They haul in lots of alcohol and stash away food platters...
The challenges and opportunities facing South Africa in 2012
Trevor Manuel was moved our of the Treasury some time ago and has spent much of his time in a new entity called the National Planning Commission (NPC) of South Africa. The NPC is tasked with identifying and responding to the key challenges facing the nation. They are...
Getting Fit For The Future: Essential Questions For Leaders As You Enter 2012
It is that time of year that invites reflection about what has been and what might be. We stand on the cusp of 2012, about to confine 2011 to the scrapbook. It is a good time to be asking questions about the past and a good time to be asking questions about the...
In the Land of the Blind, The FA is King: The Luis Suarez Case
Let me state my bias. In this case I have two that are relevant: Firstly, I am a Liverpool fan – something that I see as a bias, not a handicap as my Manchester United friends might claim! Secondly, I am against racism – in all its forms. However, the guilty verdict...
Christmas card etiquette in a digital age
It used to be an art form. Sending Christmas cards, that is. You had to select just the right card to portray the right message: not too wintry if you're southern hemisphere, not to secular if you're religious (or vice versa), and always consider buying from a charity...
Santa CEO: Leadership Lessons from Santa
The big guy in the red suit heads up a pretty impressive outfit. A year of frantic, precision driven preparation, keeping a host of little people motivated, focus and warm in extreme conditions and then all culminating in a mind-boggling devilry schedule that would do...
New Fracture Lines on the Middle East – commentary from Sir Jeremy Greenstock
Our friends and colleagues at Gatehouse Advisory Partners do constant analysis of the changing geopolitical landscape we live in. As ex-diplomats, they're well connected and have deep insights not only into what is happening on the surface but also some of the...
It was well intended but…Understanding the Connection Economy
I recently got ‘an end of year wish you well’ kind of email, the type that we all experience at this time of year. The email subject title was, ‘Best Regards, Personal!!!!’ Such a title is sure to grab your attention and most certainly create expectations. On opening...
Today, a Day of Reconciliation
On the 16th December, South Africans have the day off work. As a nation we are very good at public holidays, having 12 in total every year. Unlike in some countries in the world, where only civil servants and banks get off, in South Africa, everybody gets to lie in or...
Retailers innovate in an attempt to tempt
We are well into the Christmas shopping season and most foresee a tough time for retailers in the UK. Visa reports spending for last week was down 6.2% against the equivalent week last year, and 2.3% down over the past 4 weeks. Given higher fuel and food costs,...
How do we make technology work to our advantage?
To celebrate their 10th birthday, the Institute of Leadership and Management undertook a research project to understand how the role of the Manager has changed since 2001. Read the detailed research findings here. Enthusiastic as we are at TomorrowToday about all...