A leader’s relationship with and support to team members obviously matters hugely. For academics the mechanical sounding “leader–member exchange" (LMX) has provided a focus for studying the drivers and benefits of a high quality relationship / connection that is characterised by trust, liking, and mutual respect. Better relationships will mean team members are more receptive... Continue Reading →
Kendrick Lamar has won 22 Grammys, a Pulitzer prize, achieved 9 billion streams on Spotify last year and will have reached a global audience of 150 million with his Super Bowl half-time show. In my HUMBLE opinion, Kendrick must offer some brand storytelling inspiration. (If you are Hip-Hop rejector do feel free to retreat now).... Continue Reading →
Hybrid working is here to stay for many of us. Those living it value the opportunity for greater work-life balance, the freedom to choose when and where to work, the potential for greater efficiency and the removal of a daily commute. NBER research suggests that working from home is valued as comparable to an 8% pay... Continue Reading →
Building team resilience makes a lot of sense. In supporting more effective management of work pressures and a greater ability to adapt to change it combines the benefit of better employee wellbeing, with better organisational performance. Given a context of reported burnout rates exceeding their covid peak levels there is a compelling case for some... Continue Reading →
Career development and destinations are common topics in my coaching conversations. With a lot of my clients leading innovation / transformation I decided I needed a point of view on the competencies linked to their leadership success. Recognising the diversity of roles, cultures and organisational contexts my pragmatic ambition was a model that a) was... Continue Reading →
I need to declare an interest. I am a Ben & Jerry's fan. That said, the brand's collaboration with Tony’s to address the inequalities of chocolate sourcing and specifically slave labour is, I think, objectively brilliant. About a year ago I listened to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's recommendations for the "great food redesign" which called... Continue Reading →
Patrick Radden Keefe's Empire of Pain is a compelling read for anyone, but especially those involved in marketing. Extensively researched it explores the history of the Sackler family, their private company Purdue Pharma and the introduction of OxyContin. It highlights greed, corruption, failures in regulation and unrestrained, ruthless marketing among the contributors to the opioid crisis in... Continue Reading →
Disney has assembled an incredible portfolio of brands and companies including Marvel, Fox Studios, Lucas Films, ESPN and Pixar. Disney is a case-study of a diverse business that has made bold decisions to remain relevant. Strong story-telling franchises ensure cross-generation appeal and are translated into engaging experiences via theme parks or resorts globally. The company... Continue Reading →
In these uncertain times we should probably be classifying ice cream as medicinal. Unfortunately, with restaurants closed, cinemas shut and trips cancelled many of those out-of-home moments where we get the ice cream urge have temporarily gone. The sales impact has led to Unilever, the owner of the Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum brands to... Continue Reading →
Loved by parents and children, the iconic Santa brand has retained an iron-like grip on Christmas gift delivery - at least until now. Jeff Bezos and his, trillion-dollar, Amazon brand plan to end the Santa monopoly. A festive fight comes at a difficult time for the Santa brand which is facing criticism for institutional male... Continue Reading →
Facilitate Success 