Data is no substitute for sense
The phrase ‘data-driven’ is becoming a pet peeve. Like ‘action-oriented’ or having a ‘growth mindset’, it’s a little too commonplace for its own good. And not to ruin the party, but I’d rather not be driven by data, thank you very much. This is not a Luddite position. There’s no denying how powerful data is. […]
7 books for the curious CEO
Busyness is a necessary condition of leadership, but there are some things you should never be too busy for. Family is one; proper conversations with colleagues and customers are another. For us, reading makes the list too – or listening to radio, podcasts or audiobooks, if that’s how you learn – because it’s only by […]
In case you missed it: 10 lockdown lessons
It’s not until the journey’s over that you realise how far you’ve come. Covid isn’t over, but as non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality open, we dare to hope that the worst of it is. Few of us can remember times of such turbulence and change, as lockdowns consigned carefully constructed strategies to the scrap heap […]
A Lesson in Authenticity from Prince Philip
Prince Philip was a man who spoke his mind, in an institution where speaking your mind isn’t always the done thing. Sometimes he said too much – in the exhaustive coverage of his death over the last week, we’ve been reminded of several front-page-grabbing gaffes. It’s a constant danger for people in positions of prominence, […]
Single people: A neglected customer segment?
More and more people are living alone, with major long-term consequences for retailers. Not to start your Easter break on a downer, but did you know that 42 per cent of marriages now end in divorce? It’s particularly common after Christmas apparently, with witty lawyers cheerfully labelling January 2nd ‘Divorce Day’ due to the post-festive […]
The Power of Recommerce Fashion
If you pay attention to fashion trends, you’ll know that this season is going to be huge for… well, pretty much the same as the season before it and the one before that. This is because fashion trends are simply a marketing ploy as old as the hills, providing a sparkly temporal wrapper for style […]
How will cannabis legalisation affect the alcohol industry?
In light of the recent changes to marijuana legislation in the US, there are grounds to believe cannabis might become a serious threat to the alcohol industry. This scenario is heightened by the growing numbers of young people shunning booze. A recent NHS study revealed the proportion of 16-24-year-olds in the UK who state they […]
7 Books for Women’s History Month: Recommended Reading List Part III
March is Women’s History Month, so we decided to release our third recommended reading list in honour of women. Let’s all celebrate women this month with some education and reflection – and pick up one of these fantastic reads. 1. Wollstonecraft: Philosophy, Passion, and Politics Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, first […]
Following the Herd: Why are conspiracy theories thriving in pandemic times?
We’ve all heard of flat earthers, anti-vaxxers and those who think the moon landing was an elaborate hoax. The vast majority of us can agree that these beliefs are farfetched, or even somewhat laughable… but conspiracy theories aren’t all so bonkers, and that’s what makes them so dangerous. Misinformation incited the mob that stormed the […]
Four of the biggest success stories of 2020 (and what we can learn from them)
There will always be businesses that find a way to thrive in adversity. While 2020 led many to hunker down and focus on survival, some found ways to innovate, or simply made the best out of a helpful measure of luck. Here we’ll briefly cover four of the biggest success stories in 2020, and what […]
