Find a Way or Make One
Hannibal, a 3BC military leader, when faced with an apparently insurmountable problem – the Alps – said: I will either find a way or make one. In his mind, the answer to an obstacle in the path and the lack of means to overcome it was not to retreat, surrender, or wail. How can we imbibe some of his grit? Quit moaning and do something productive toward your goal instead. Stop...
Read MoreBusiness-Speak at The Apprentice #1
Following hot on the heels of The 10 Worst Business Phrases of All Time and The 8 Worst Written Business Phrases of All Time, we begin a new series on The Apprentice, focusing mainly on the contenders’ communication skills. Series 7 is under way. The first episode on the current series was shown on 10 May. Catch up on the first two episodes of The Apprentice. Then, come back and join...
Read MoreProof For ‘Fake It Until You Make It’!
It’s the stuff of cheesy, pop-psychology legend. ‘Fake it until you make it’! Yeah, right! Excuse me if I refuse the snake oil and select a sick bag instead. Only one problem. It seems to be true. First there was Aristotle: “Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting a particular way. We become just by performing just actions, temperate by performing...
Read MoreMeetings: Stand and Deliver
Today, I’m working through our Radical Time Management workshop with a group of business owners who have signed up to QUB’s CPD programme. One aspect of today will be to discuss how to decide whether a meeting is really necessary, how to get out of meetings, delegate someone to go in your place. However, should it arise that a meeting is entirely necessary, then here are the...
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