I was recently in discussion with a colleague about the quality of handover briefings I’ve experienced over the years. This was in response to an instance he was describing where an organisation had to recall someone who had recently retired, to help their former department regain its efficiency and performance, which had dwindled under the … Continue reading
The Tremeloes famously reached the top of the UK single charts with ‘Silence is Golden’ back in 1967, and as any experienced communications professional will tell you that sometimes keeping a dignified silence is the best stance to take and not immediately react or directly respond to an antagonistic voice, especially within a public forum. … Continue reading
Time to sharpen your claws, toughen your skin, and amp up your diplomatic and collaborative skills ‘to eleven’ if you’re embarking on a journey to sustainably reconfigure your organisation, its offering, and how it thinks, breathes and behaves. How should we handle the inevitable bite-back when the introduction of sustainability begins to rattle cages? In … Continue reading
Today – 4th May is my ‘Started Work Day’ anniversary. I always remember it, my first day at work in a proper full-time job. I arrived dressed in a 3-piece navy pinstriped Austin Reed suit, grey shirt and red tie (no photo – see below). All set to work in an insurance office in the … Continue reading
After the eventful London Collections Men in June, many of the UK’s menswear designers are hopping on planes to reach out to buyers, fashion commentators, style leaders and the elusive customers in Europe and around the world. Recognition of the quality of tailoring, its creativity, and innate ‘Britishness’ defines the positioning of the UK menswear … Continue reading
In May 2010 I participated in the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s ‘Marketing Excellence for Small Businesses’ series, presenting the impact of social media, and how small businesses could now develop their brands to compete successfully in the global marketplace. People were becoming aware of Facebook, heard of MySpace, thought of LinkedIn as an online address … Continue reading
Is this a question you’re about to ask someone? Or planning to ask a potential investor very soon? A recent request from a friend seeking advice on how to secure resources and raise funds, so they could kick start their enterprise, ended up with me writing down a few guidelines and sharing some useful advice … Continue reading
Mr Blue Sky – I am not going to even attempt to make any startling predictions for the future. I have my own take on where I think things are heading and what I’d like to see. However, it’s worthwhile sharing some aspects which I continue to find inspiring, and over the years have seen … Continue reading
Opportunities for small businesses – It was apparent a few years ago when ‘social media’ began to excite the entrepreneur community and small business owners. Immediately, the potential for taking the prime promotional mechanism of the start-up and small business world – ‘word-of mouth’ – and amplifying its reach was recognised. The opportunity lay in … Continue reading
“Now then, men’s fashion is a growing industry with menswear sales growing globally by 9% over the past year. Now not a lot of people know that!” as a Michael Caine impressionist might say. So does this ‘blow the doors off?’ And does it mean men around the world are becoming more stylish, are embracing distinctive designs, … Continue reading
Mark Batchelor 