Present to Influence the Audience
How do you present to influence the audience? Stood by the roadside thumbing lifts was an empowering experience. Drivers who stopped validated what I was doing and thus hitchhiking became meaningful, worthwhile and rewarding. Whilst it wasn't rocket science, I always thought carefully in advance about my appearance as well as how and where I stood. And I looked at the driver as the vehicle approached. By thinking about how I should present to influence the audience, I was doing my best to sell the idea of being offered a lift... Read More

Value your Entrepreneurial Journey
Fear, inertia and ignorance fail us. Start now and value the journey. If you want to make anything happen in life, you have to start an entrepreneurial journey. But be aware, "Entrepreneurship often happens when people are on their way to something else..." . Read More

Need to achieve
Do entrepreneurs have a stronger need to achieve? Leeds station, 11.35pm. It's a dark, cold November evening. The last train to York departed 5 minutes before my train from Huddersfield arrived. But for the night-time usuals I'm on my own, frustrated and penniless. But my need to achieve will get me out of here. Read More

The Devil of Self-importance
Smug and the devil of self-importance As I climbed the tank crane's 10 foot ladder to access the driver's cab I knew this wasn't going to be a typical hitchhiking experience.. But I wasn't aware that I was about to be hijacked by the devil. The devil of self-importance... Read More

Achieve Sales Effectively
How to achieve sales effectively? In the early nineties I employed a salesman on a short-term 10 week contract. I gave him a sales target of £10k and suggested we meet each Friday to review progress. This was my plan to achieve sales effectively... Read More

Develop Resilience: Tackle the Biggest Problem First
When the going gets tough, tackle the biggest problem first "Where ya goin?" The van driver shouted above the noise of the engine. He was leaning over from his seat, pushing the passenger door open with his outstretched hand. Standing on the pavement and with my heavy rucksack held over one shoulder I replied. "Lake District!" The prospect of a lift added eagerness to my voice. "Get in. But I'm only going to 'arrogate'..." Read More

Trust Builds Business
Trust builds business but how do you build trust? Building trust in business is everything, but how do you do it? Here's a starting point. Can you recall a moment where someone you didn't know well demonstrated real trust - in a risk situation? What happened next? In little time strong bonds may have developed, sometimes at surprising speed. And the relationship changes for the better. The same is possible in the workplace, although the 'risk' catalyst is less commonplace (hence the need for Outward Bound courses). Read More