Companies and prioritising sales and operations over tech and marketing. It’s a wise strategy
How times have changed. Speaking with CEOs across the retail, consumer, leisure and even tech sectors, we’ve seen a distinct shift in priority towards getting core operational and commercial roles secured. Outside of high-growth companies, most simply do not have the money to invest in large data, tech or marketing projects. This may surprise some […]
Breaking America: A quick guide for British businesses
However, many UK firms have struggled to get it right. Tesco’s early-century attempt to break the American market with Fresh & Easy may be the most infamous example. Despite being at the height of its success in Britain, its American adventure ended in a multibillion dollar flop. But there are many others that failed to […]
How to get perspective (without quitting your day job)
Great leaders need vision, not only to see their business and market as they really are, but also to imagine a different and better future. As we wrote recently though, this isn’t enough. To have any chance of making their vision a reality, they also need top-notch execution. Unfortunately, vision and execution have almost opposite […]
How to get best out of headhunter when hiring for senior roles
Headhunters can be vitally helpful here in finding the best candidates, but executive search isn’t something you can just outsource, getting on with something else while you wait for them to come back with the perfect CFO, CMO, divisional head or indeed CEO. Like most services, executive search works best when you, the client, know […]
How to build better boards
On the one hand, sound governance provides vital protection from the risks that have befouled so many companies over the years. On the other hand, it’s an opportunity for executive directors to benefit from the experience, expertise, perspective and networks of non-execs, which can guide the business in often unexpected ways. Finding the right non-executive […]
Why it’s getting harder to hire a great CFO
The latest version of the UK corporate governance code, commonly referred to us as UK SOx, leaves them personally liable, at least in part, for the accuracy of financial statements, and the effectiveness of internal controls and risk management frameworks. I’m all for preventing fraud and accounting scandals, but no one should be surprised that […]
The career ladder is broken for aspiring women CEOs. Here’s what we can do to fix it
I don’t meet many sexists these days, thankfully. Most CEOs and chairs are fully committed to equal career opportunities. They recognise that their companies will be stronger as a result. Unfortunately, this widespread belief in equality doesn’t always square with the outcomes. Statistically, the odds are stacked against women with ambitions to lead. A typical […]
B Corp month: How to talk about purpose
“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.” Lines like that abound at times like this. It’s B Corp month, after all, and those of us who care about such things want to inspire each other to believe that business is more than just an exercise in profit maximisation. You need more […]
When should founders step back
If leaders are expected to have all the answers, the same goes doubly for founders. You are often synonymous with the business, its guiding light. It makes it tremendously difficult to admit that you’re out of your depth, even drowning in your work. This is ironic, because founders arguably face this challenge more than anyone […]
Why you can’t plan for succession
But the traditional approach to succession planning is no longer fit for purpose. In an era of rapid and unpredictable change, you cannot just select an heir apparent, review every couple of years and wait. Adaptability and agility are paramount. The needs of your business are ever evolving, which means the brief for succession will […]
