Multi-tasking – an example that actually works #funny @mrchrisaddison

Most multi-tasking is doing more than one thing at a time and getting a worse result than doing each one individually. But I came across a lovely example where it does work:  Carpool (not carpooling). Carpool is a web series presented by English actor and comedian Robert Llewellyn. In each episode he interviews a guest …

Corporate branding (quite literally) – get a free tattoo #loyalty

In a recent article in Business Insider called Lots Of Huge Brands Are Giving Away Free Tattoos To Get Their Names Out There it seems that people are prepared to have a tattoo which is a company logo - provided it is free. Is this a wise decision? If you need more supporting advice, I …

“Daddy – are you still at work?” But what does “at work” mean?

“Daddy, are you still at work?” A simple enough question.  My children understand that if I am in my office, or I walk into the house after a business trip and am on the phone that I may still be at work. Have you noticed that the term "I am at work" has become a meaningless …

Apple makes the best jewellery #apple

The collected sales and marketing departments of the consumer electronics companies around the world are driving up the consumer anticipation to fever pitch for their latest technical wizardry.  Promises that it will change the world, save more time than ever, make you more attractive to the opposite sex... and have unparalleled battery life. And no …

Happy staff!! I run a business not a bloody holiday camp #hr #leadership #happy #recruitment

I was horrified when talking recently to CEO (name withheld) about the economy when he said "The best thing about the recession is I can treat by staff like sH!t as they have nowhere else to go".   Not only is it short sighted and it fails the 'would I want to be treated like …

The status of enterprise social in one slide

I owe my success to LEGO and the 3 foot rule

20 years ago I was sitting on a plane on the way back from some client. I was an Accenture consultant running big projects with lots of responsibility and a very good salary.  So life was good, except I didn’t control my life. 3 foot rule and open questions One of the things I was …

Olympics survival tips

The Olympic Games is the biggest sporting event on the planet. With 26 sports, 10,500 athletes and millions of spectators, it’s going to be a busy summer. For those of you attending the Olympics this summer, Chuck Jones has put together some survival tips. Here is the main London spectator information website Stand on the …

My bizarre visit to the pet shop #facebook #customerservice

Max’  Reeves turtles are now a year old so we went down to the pet shop, Emsworth Aquaria and Reptiles, where we bought them from for a bit a check up. Reefy and Sammy are now several times larger than when they were bought. As last week Reefy had climbed to the top of the …

Wow. Has Microsoft answered my dreams, rather than Apple #apple #ipad #microsoft

Back in August 2010 I wrote a blog, Who wants my iPad. In that blog, the critical paragraph is But what the iPad has done is realise what I REALLY, REALLY want: Tablet 3.0. It is a tablet with the same form function as the iPad with a high-definition touch screen that rotates.  But one …

Why can’t Lotus Cars make a profit?

Lotus Cars, alongside Aston Martin, is one of the UK's success stories in terms of building desirable sports cars. Aston Martin exudes sophistication and style - and their V8 and V12 engines sound awesome - but nothing compares to the driving experience of a Lotus. You don' so much sit in a Lotus, but more …

Leadership books – but not your normal list #Leadership

Here is a list of leadership books many of which take a 'sidelong glance' at leadership If you want to make good laugh, show him your business plan by Barry Gibbons What do leaders really do?  by Jeff Grout The Unfolding Now by A.H. Almaas Leading with Kindness by William Baker & Michael O’Malley The Everyday Work …

3 P’s – critical in sales and many other things in life #sales

We are all in sales. For our companies possibly as sales people, but definitely when navigating the politics and arguing your case. For ourselves for career progression and getting the finer things in life. And in our private lives finding a 'mate' for example.My best sales pitch was to Natalie, and fortunately she bought the …

Baseball, fathers and sons. Magic

Baseball is magic Early childhood memories are faint, but every boy can recall his first major-league baseball game. He can remember the score, who hit the home run, who pitched. But mostly he remembers his father. The smell of his aftershave is wrapped up in the smells of baseball – the freshly cut grass, the …

What does Las Vegas mean to you? #health #lifestyle #happy

We had a long weekend break which took in Death Valley (amazing natural phenomena) and then Las Vegas (completely un-natural creation). Normally I hate Las Vegas. I don’t drink heavily, I am happily married, and I don’t gamble. As a regular speaker on the circuit, Las Vegas has a lot of conferences, so I’ve walked …