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Growth Workshop 11 June
Taking responsibility even when something is not your fault can change your life
When I think back over the past four or five years of our High Performance podcast, there are a handful of lessons that are useful to me on a daily basis. Probably the most important is separating fault from responsibility. There’s no doubt that for a long time I would say to myself: “Well, that…
Growth Workshop 2 July
Growth Workshop 22 May
Growth Workshop 1 May
How to set strategy in an uncertain world
The legendary quantum physicist Niels Bohr once said: “It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.” This sage perspective echoed in my ears as I sat down with the PureGym management team recently to discuss how we should evolve our strategic plan and set course for the years ahead. As one of my…
Understanding IP risks in the age of AI
Generative AI has become a transformative force in many industries, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency. However, along with those opportunities also comes risk. This article explores some of those risks, with a focus on UK IP laws. Subsistence and ownership of IP in AI-generated works A typical output of generative AI might be…
The power of a story: Redefining success in a data-driven world
‘It’s just a story’ – in a business or decision-making setting – is a contemptuous put-down. “We’ve all got a story to tell,” people say, which of course means: “Yes, but where’s the evidence?” (Sometimes this is framed with a harder edge as what does the science say?) The evolution of language reveals this direction…
The purpose paradigm: Fact or fiction?
As head of a recruitment company that strives to “make work mean more”, I’m no stranger to the ongoing debate on the authenticity of prioritising a purpose-driven approach in business. Is it a genuine commitment to societal good, or is it merely a strategic move to attract and retain talent in a competitive job market?…
The sweet spot of confidence
Focusing as I do on sustained performance, I am often asked if there is one question that can help identify those who are likely to be able to perform over the long term and stay the distance. Perhaps surprisingly, I believe that there is, and the optimum answer to this question might surprise you too….
Inside Sir Martin Sorrell’s world: Strategies for building empires
We walk into S4 Capital’s central London HQ a little ahead of schedule. The door to the boardroom is open as we walk past. Several suits sit around the table with Sir Martin Sorrell the main voice conducting the conversation’s symphony. As we wait in a small meeting room next door, it’s difficult not to…
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The future of UK business support funding: Is it time to take a fresh approach?
The nation’s access to nationally funded and regionally delivered business support is fragmenting. Next month, central government is stepping away from directly funding regional business support strategies as part of a longer-term plan for devolution. This is undoubtedly going to see the disappearance of some Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) who have been given the option…
Building B&M: Speed, strategy, and success
In 2004, Simon Arora and his two brothers, Bobby, and Robin, bought a discount retail chain in the North West of England for £525,000. That chain had 21 shops. Today, B&M is valued at more than £5billion and is part of the FTSE 100, making it one of the biggest retailers in Europe. Simon Arora…
Membership Growth Workshop
Growth Workshop Questionnaire:
Founders 250
Join the Founders 250 We’re looking for 250 ambitious leaders to help shape our membership community. These founding members will be drawn from all corners of the UK, representing a variety of industries, united by a desire to share ideas and grow their companies. These members will form the bedrock of the community for years…
AI: Reshaping the future of content creation
It’s my second panel of the day at a tech conference in the Middle East. Glancing at the countdown clock positioned just in front of the audience, I note we have 6 minutes and 20 seconds remaining. Surprisingly, we’ve spent nearly 15 minutes without touching on AI, and I feel proud. We’re probably the only…
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Storm clouds over Number 10: The Sunak dilemma
Politics comes at you fast. Three years ago, Boris Johnson was riding high in the polls thanks to a “vaccine bounce” as Britain emerged from the pandemic with a renewed sense of optimism. The Tories were triumphant in the May local elections, taking control of councils across Red Wall areas in the North East and…
Growth Workshop Briefing Questionnaire
Workshop Post Event Questionnaire
Building bridges to equality: The infrastructure investment we’re overlooking
This year’s International Women’s Day theme set by the United Nations is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’. This occasion calls for a more nuanced exploration of what investment truly means for gender equality, and I would like to put the spotlight on infrastructure. Beyond the traditional scope of infrastructure—bridges, motorways, and power stations—lies a domain…
