Business life in the Middle East: working in ‘the region’

BAHRAIN — This is my first time in Bahrain.  That leaves only really Oman in the area that I haven’t been to / worked in.

United Arab Emirates?
√ Check
Saudi Arabia?
√ Check
Kuwait?
√ Check
Qatar?
√ Check

It’s a part of the world that many people can’t (or choose not to) understand.

In the last three weeks [...]

The cascade is broken

 

SOUTH WEST LONDON — They say it’s broken.  But I am not convinced it ever really worked.  The company cascade is like the Lost City of Atlantis… or the missing Beach Boys album.  Many people think it’s out there, but disappointment is the most likely outcome.

Here’s how the theory goes:
• You start at the top with a message.
• You give [...]

Three years of change: It’s Able and How’s birthday

Two guys, a garage and a plan

LONDON — It’s been three fairly eventful years.  I suspect you’d be hard pressed to look at the last 25 years and come up with three more volatile years in which to be in business.

Able and How was born on 08 September 2008.  If you look here you can see [...]

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LONDON — I am still a bit disturbed by an interview I read while on holiday. I have no idea why, while off the grid for a fortnight, I managed to read Lucy Kellaway’s interview with Roland Rudd. But I did.

Have a quick read of it and then come back.

Let me start by saying that I have no agenda [...]

Transformation and change management: How to…

WEST LONDON — There’s a hording around the big, refurbished church at Hammersmith flyover that says TRANSFORMATIONSPACE.  The hordings in the photo above are at the base of the new Shard of Glass building at London Bridge.

What are they on about?

The words ‘change’ and ‘transformation’ are starting to gain some currency in business circles these days.  Many, many large companies [...]

On Britishness

 

SURREY (I think) — I know I still speak with a nasal, uncouth sounding accent.  I know I will never pass too easily for Bob Hoskins or Anthony Hopkins.  But I am increasingly growing into my second citizenship.  I have a fondness for pastel coloured trousers.  And curry.

An article on Britain in a recent Sunday Times brought me to tears.  [...]

[SUGGESTED READING]

BBC Business News: The seven deadly sins CEO’s wont admit

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13974474

Insight into how some CEO’s see their ‘weaknesses’ as ‘strengths’ – is this just positive thinking or a lack of self-knowledge?

Communications Directors in distress

 

LONDON — Last night’s black-tie film premiere was a great chance to catch up with some people in the business.  There were too many people to talk to properly, unfortunately.  But some conversations I’ve been mulling over in my sleep.

Quite a few senior people working in communications at the moment are in distress.

I’m not saying it’s a [...]

Drawing attention to yourself: The consulting challenge

GREAT PORTLAND STREET - Not far from our offices is the Chinese Embassy in the UK.  Across the street there’s a booth set up and someone practising Falun Gong 24 hours a day. Falun Gong (which just looks like aerobics to you and me) is illegal in China.

It’s undoubted that they are annoying the Embassy by doing this. [...]

Proof of life: 5 things to do today to better your Internal Comms

LATE IN LONDON — We like lists and in recent times this blog may have been harder on Internal Communicators than is deserved.

So here are a few things that you can do in a single day.  They will advance your case, secure your reputation and make your organisation more successful.

1. Create a six month plan on one page

Put [...]