Category Archives: Big business failure

The reluctant leader

Posted on February 24, 2012 by

Ever been to a lecture on “cold calling”? A few years ago I did just this. I sat through 30 minutes of suggestions about scripts, about what we could say to potential “prospects”. A question was then put to us … Continue reading →

Posted in Big business failure, Broken relationships in business, Conflict, Cost of leadership, Do I really want the job?, Failure, Getting to the top, High staff turover, Leader resigns, Leadership, Leadership problems, Leadership qualities, Reluctant leader | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stock market crash – bored now?

Posted on August 5, 2011 by

Have markets had their day? Have we become immune to news about another massive “adjustment”? Remember Black Wednesday and what a big deal that was? And how can a company be worth 10% less than yesterday? Sure I can understand … Continue reading →

Posted in Big business failure, Business life cycles, Stock market illusions | Tagged | Leave a comment

Is fraud only in politics?

Posted on January 8, 2011 by

An MP goes to prison for cheating on his expense claims. Judging by today’s Times’s comments the response has been highly charged. “All politicians are corrupt”…”prison’s too good”… on the one hand and “not that bad really” (I paraphrase) on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Are we logical?, Big business failure, Confidential advice, Denial, Dishonesty, Personal development | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What happens if you mess up?

Posted on October 22, 2010 by

It’s all very well writing about leadership and integrity in business and in the community, but what happens when we get it wrong? What happens when we totally blow it? Is there hope after a disaster? Well it’s true that our … Continue reading →

Posted in Big business failure, Broken relationships in business, Confidential advice, Failure, Forgiveness, Integrity in business, Leader resigns, Saint or villain, You're fired | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How close is a big firm to failing?

Posted on September 15, 2010 by

The bigger you are the harder you fall, or so I was told. Having worked in the Big Four, I can confirm that they are very worried about falling over. And it’s no surprise either. When Arthur Andersen collapsed a … Continue reading →

Posted in Big business failure, Binary thinking, Confidential advice, Failure, Getting to the top, Leader resigns, Lonely at the top | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is there an upside to disaster?

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

No.  A catastrophe is a catastrophe… but… Massive life events, be they personal or corporate, such as a relationship ending or a business failing, do have consequences. These consequences force change. There is nothing nice about it. But change can … Continue reading →

Posted in Big business failure, Broken relationships in business, Confidential advice, Failure, Finding success in business, Success | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Naked leadership – “Emperor’s Clothes”?

Posted on August 18, 2010 by

Have you noticed how some leaders have few skills but no-one says anything? A bank loses £22 billion or was it £28billion, I don’t recall exactly. But we were all up in arms. Did the leader suddenly make a mistake? … Continue reading →

Posted in Big business failure, Bullying in leaders, Denial, Emperor's clothes, Failure, Leader resigns, Lonely at the top, Naked, RBS | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What is the price of leadership?

Posted on August 11, 2010 by

The total value of HP shares fell $10billion when the CEO resigned. Was he really worth so much? Your comments please!

Posted in Big business failure, Broken relationships in business, HP, Integrity in business, Leader resigns | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why be an undercover boss?

Posted on August 3, 2010 by

Because your team will not tell you what they think you don’t want to hear. I love Channel 4′s “Undercover Boss” The episode last week had the new boss of Harry Ramsden’s famous fish and chip restaurants going undercover. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Big business failure, Finding success in business, Leadership, Managing people, Success, The Bottom Line, TV reviews, Undercover Boss | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is “denial” always a bad thing?

Posted on August 3, 2010 by

When we say someone is “in denial” we usually mean this in a negative sense, but denial is actually a valuable defence. It’s a bit like badly wounded soldiers on the battlefield reporting that they feel no pain. Only afterwards … Continue reading →

Posted in Big business failure, Business life cycles, Denial, Failure, Finding success in business, Leadership problems, Personal development | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment