Ok so Apple is taking some heat right now on iPhone 4. A great deal of the heat is directed at Steve Jobs, which i guess is because he is who he is! However, i don't think he has bargained for the grief he is soon to take from Mrs. P, the 4 little P's, colleagues and friends of mine. I have a problem, i am addicted to the iPad, i find myself on it all the time. I could be blogging, reading blogs and tweets, networking, watching Telly,playing games, surfing anything on the iPad. It is without doubt one of the finest things i have ever bought!
This weekend i am up at St Andrews watching The Open, security will take my mobile off me when I enter but not my iPad. I will be blogging, tweeting, watching the Telly, even following on The Open app. Heaven!
The little p's always want to play on it, watch Disney etc and of course paint. Clearly they can't as daddy is on it!
Does anyone know a cure?
Cheers
Simon
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Corporate social responsibility
Ok so here I am on the train back from the city trying to recall the seminar I have sat through this afternoon on CSR and ethics. Personally I think the 2 things are absolutely intertwined and we need to be sure they are both adhered to. It was interesting listening to Tom from Sedex, Martin from ETI delivering content based on our clients demands. Both organisations grow based on the basis of peer pressure, if so and so does it en we nuts also do it. How many of these organisations are doing it from a philanthropic base rather than a what's in it for me base remains to be seen? It is this that concerns me the most because I really do care, but I am being forced to comply with oodles of red tape that is really difficult to understand. Anyone tried to supply goods to LOCOG?(London Olympics 2012) If so you know what I mean! Somewhere along the supply chain must come the sharing of this data to allow more than one company to benefit from the social audit that has been carried out by an independent assessment firm of a particular factory. Rather than all of us doing the same audit over and over again. This is where Sedex really could come into it's own. The cost to industry of compliance is huge and still growing, so come on big business do you really need that extra bit of Social Accountability or will the one carried out a few months ago by another company suffice?
So interestingly in a room of 40 or so people only around 10-12 promotional products distributors were represented. Does that mean that only 0.5% of our industry cares about this topic or is it just those that are being forced to comply that were there? It scares me a little about the cost of these compliance issues, who will pay. Will it be the end user who may be driving down the price of a product whilst asking for more and more compliance and quality. With a 'grown up discussion' it may well be, but this will only be true of certain corporate who really do get the whole 'partnership ethos.'. I guess in reality it will be the distributor who will continue to have their margin eroded to conform to our clients needs.
Listening to both a supplier and distributor ( direct competitor but a really good firm!) give a presentation each on what it means to them, I can see that it is not just me that is fearful about the reasons why we are being asked for so much compliance. This is going to be one hell of a learning curve with many companies doing it differently to one another. Clearly this means that the client will have options, but not necessarily being able to compare 'apples with apples'. As with most things in life there are many companies out there offering different levels of compliance, this is due to the different market forces but ultimately with audits you get what you pay for! So beware of people offering really cheap audits because if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
We must all remember that Social Accountability is not just about child labour there are many other aspects and we at Merchandise Mania check for them all.
I would be really interested to hear back from anyone with experience in this area.
Thanks
Simon
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
So interestingly in a room of 40 or so people only around 10-12 promotional products distributors were represented. Does that mean that only 0.5% of our industry cares about this topic or is it just those that are being forced to comply that were there? It scares me a little about the cost of these compliance issues, who will pay. Will it be the end user who may be driving down the price of a product whilst asking for more and more compliance and quality. With a 'grown up discussion' it may well be, but this will only be true of certain corporate who really do get the whole 'partnership ethos.'. I guess in reality it will be the distributor who will continue to have their margin eroded to conform to our clients needs.
Listening to both a supplier and distributor ( direct competitor but a really good firm!) give a presentation each on what it means to them, I can see that it is not just me that is fearful about the reasons why we are being asked for so much compliance. This is going to be one hell of a learning curve with many companies doing it differently to one another. Clearly this means that the client will have options, but not necessarily being able to compare 'apples with apples'. As with most things in life there are many companies out there offering different levels of compliance, this is due to the different market forces but ultimately with audits you get what you pay for! So beware of people offering really cheap audits because if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
We must all remember that Social Accountability is not just about child labour there are many other aspects and we at Merchandise Mania check for them all.
I would be really interested to hear back from anyone with experience in this area.
Thanks
Simon
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Why you never wash a rental car?
So on Tuesday I was at my Academy of Chief Executives Group meeting and the speaker was a guy call Mark Fritz. The subject was, 'Why you never wash a rental car.' Immediately my alarm bells went up as I was expecting some kind of brash American telling me what I was doing wrong and what I needed to do to put it right.
Well, that couldn't have been further from the truth. The takeaway value of his session was huge and I think I ranked him the highest speaker I have heard at #ACE.
Why was it so good I hear you ask???......There were so many nuggets to takeaway and I don't mean chicken ones….actual golden ones!
In delegation…….."Deciding what you don't need to know"
Become Outcome focused rather than activity focused - is it important to make 50 cold calls a day or 5 calls and secure 5 appointments. The outcome outweighs the activity. It is all very well being too busy being busy rather than being busy and productive!
Our job as leaders is to create the conditions that enable success, whether it be the processes, the people or the behaviours.
We also spent some time talking about bringing an outcome approach to meetings and to do this what would need to happen. Well he showed us that before we even think about an agenda for that meeting we have to decide what the successful outcome of the meeting would be. This would take place well before setting any kind of agenda. In fact setting the agenda would be at step 6 meaning there are 5 more important things than the agenda in preparing for a meeting!
'Lightbulb' moments were plentiful in this invigorating and educational session and my thanks go out to Mark Fritz for his presentation, and to Brian Chernett for having the belief to book him.
If you want to hear what Mark has to say contact him at mark@markfritzonline.com
Thanks guys!
Best
Simon
Well, that couldn't have been further from the truth. The takeaway value of his session was huge and I think I ranked him the highest speaker I have heard at #ACE.
Why was it so good I hear you ask???......There were so many nuggets to takeaway and I don't mean chicken ones….actual golden ones!
In delegation…….."Deciding what you don't need to know"
Become Outcome focused rather than activity focused - is it important to make 50 cold calls a day or 5 calls and secure 5 appointments. The outcome outweighs the activity. It is all very well being too busy being busy rather than being busy and productive!
Our job as leaders is to create the conditions that enable success, whether it be the processes, the people or the behaviours.
We also spent some time talking about bringing an outcome approach to meetings and to do this what would need to happen. Well he showed us that before we even think about an agenda for that meeting we have to decide what the successful outcome of the meeting would be. This would take place well before setting any kind of agenda. In fact setting the agenda would be at step 6 meaning there are 5 more important things than the agenda in preparing for a meeting!
'Lightbulb' moments were plentiful in this invigorating and educational session and my thanks go out to Mark Fritz for his presentation, and to Brian Chernett for having the belief to book him.
If you want to hear what Mark has to say contact him at mark@markfritzonline.com
Thanks guys!
Best
Simon
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Integrity and Morals in Business
So here I am sat at my desk with steam coming out of both my ears. Why I hear you ask? I said....Why I hear you ask? Thank you, do keep up!
A competitor of mine has emailed my entire sales team and most of my management team asking them to go to them and join their 'winning team.' Now is it just me or is this not the done thing? It seems to be the kind of thing that lacks any kind of integrity and/or morals. What makes this even worse was that it was one of industry trade associations that provided the data and technology to send the blast. There are some cracking companies that we compete against on a daily basis. They are professional with excellent levels of service and even seem to have integrity. Unfortunately there are some that are not. I am sure this is the same throughout most industries. Now the company that has sent this 'spam' probably thinks
that they have done nothing wrong, after all the mailing list was provided by a trade association. Even so I just feel it 'stinks'!
There are so many places to find really good team members without directly attacking a competitor. From Social Networking sites, job sites, recruiters, press, networking. I am also a huge believer in making an excellent place to work so that the team are happy and talk about it. Word will spread that such and such is a great place to work and before long, new good members will want to join your team.
I was talking the other day with Mrs P and I think the 4 little P's were in the car with us. It was a conversation regarding Merchandise Mania and what makes us good at what we do. I summed it up with the word 'Integrity' 2 of the little P's picked up on the word but could not say it properly. (oldest little P is 5!) Eventually we agreed that it was a word daddy used at the office a lot and daddy should not talk about the office on daddy days!!(weekends) So we stopped talking and went to the park!!
Integrity and Morals, Why do we bother? Answers on a post card or via a comment below!!!!
A competitor of mine has emailed my entire sales team and most of my management team asking them to go to them and join their 'winning team.' Now is it just me or is this not the done thing? It seems to be the kind of thing that lacks any kind of integrity and/or morals. What makes this even worse was that it was one of industry trade associations that provided the data and technology to send the blast. There are some cracking companies that we compete against on a daily basis. They are professional with excellent levels of service and even seem to have integrity. Unfortunately there are some that are not. I am sure this is the same throughout most industries. Now the company that has sent this 'spam' probably thinks
that they have done nothing wrong, after all the mailing list was provided by a trade association. Even so I just feel it 'stinks'!
There are so many places to find really good team members without directly attacking a competitor. From Social Networking sites, job sites, recruiters, press, networking. I am also a huge believer in making an excellent place to work so that the team are happy and talk about it. Word will spread that such and such is a great place to work and before long, new good members will want to join your team.
I was talking the other day with Mrs P and I think the 4 little P's were in the car with us. It was a conversation regarding Merchandise Mania and what makes us good at what we do. I summed it up with the word 'Integrity' 2 of the little P's picked up on the word but could not say it properly. (oldest little P is 5!) Eventually we agreed that it was a word daddy used at the office a lot and daddy should not talk about the office on daddy days!!(weekends) So we stopped talking and went to the park!!
Integrity and Morals, Why do we bother? Answers on a post card or via a comment below!!!!
Thursday, 6 May 2010
General Election 2010
So it is finally here, after weeks of hearing about it and having it shoved down our throats the big day is upon us – General Election Day. Is it just me or has the last 4 weeks seemed like months? Politicians everywhere, on every channel at every opportunity. More recently leaflets, posters and literature seem to have infested every nook and cranny of space. It is our most basic democratic right, the right to a free and fair election. We therefore must exercise our right to vote and not miss out on this basic freedom. Many in the world still do not have this right, so we should not see it as a luxury, or an issue, we should, in my opinion, see it as an honour to be able to vote.
Whilst on this seemingly high horse, I also feel the need to commend the 3 main party leaders on the energy they have. I truly am not sure I could have kept up their pace for a few days never mind the last 4 weeks. So is it that I do not have the same energy as them or is it that I channel it in different ways? Of course I would like to think it is the latter with my family, business and local government that I am involved with. The flip is that maybe I just don’t have that energy or drive anymore; I honestly couldn’t say either way as I don’t know. So for now let me leave this paragraph at saluting the 3 main party leaders and the energy and drive they have thrown at the campaign trail.
My team and I here at Merchandise Mania could, and hopefully, have learned a valuable lesson from Nick Clegg in this campaign. It is one of presentation skills, determination, and making the best of your opportunities in front of customers. You see one of the things that can be difficult is getting time with our customers on a face-to-face basis, or even with our potential customers.
However Mr. Clegg has certainly taken his opportunities and run with them, admittedly the other candidates helped him along with the ‘I agree with Nick’ campaign that has run with him in the last few weeks. If and when we succeed in getting in front of customers and prospects we must make use of the time and be very well prepared, just like he was.
Nothing irks me more than a supplier coming into my office and taking up 6-10 of my teams time, often my own time as well, and being ill prepared. They have no agenda, no presentation, just seemingly thinking that they can wing it. Well the wake up call to those who think this is you cant. You are not that good to be able to be ill prepared. You will face tough questions and we expect answers. If you fail, we lose respect and you lose orders.
We have to understand as professional sales people that the same is true for us. Be prepared or fail. It really is that simple. I never expect our clients to sit through a face to face with me when I am waffling or talking drivel I fully expect & actually want them to say to me that the meeting is over as I am wasting their time. This is what I want to get over to my team at Merchandise Mania and our partners, our customers may not want to say it but we need to know it!
Oh and lets not forget there is that General Election 'thing' happening today in the UK so exercise the right, 'Go and Vote'. (PLEASE)
Whilst on this seemingly high horse, I also feel the need to commend the 3 main party leaders on the energy they have. I truly am not sure I could have kept up their pace for a few days never mind the last 4 weeks. So is it that I do not have the same energy as them or is it that I channel it in different ways? Of course I would like to think it is the latter with my family, business and local government that I am involved with. The flip is that maybe I just don’t have that energy or drive anymore; I honestly couldn’t say either way as I don’t know. So for now let me leave this paragraph at saluting the 3 main party leaders and the energy and drive they have thrown at the campaign trail.
My team and I here at Merchandise Mania could, and hopefully, have learned a valuable lesson from Nick Clegg in this campaign. It is one of presentation skills, determination, and making the best of your opportunities in front of customers. You see one of the things that can be difficult is getting time with our customers on a face-to-face basis, or even with our potential customers.
However Mr. Clegg has certainly taken his opportunities and run with them, admittedly the other candidates helped him along with the ‘I agree with Nick’ campaign that has run with him in the last few weeks. If and when we succeed in getting in front of customers and prospects we must make use of the time and be very well prepared, just like he was.
Nothing irks me more than a supplier coming into my office and taking up 6-10 of my teams time, often my own time as well, and being ill prepared. They have no agenda, no presentation, just seemingly thinking that they can wing it. Well the wake up call to those who think this is you cant. You are not that good to be able to be ill prepared. You will face tough questions and we expect answers. If you fail, we lose respect and you lose orders.
We have to understand as professional sales people that the same is true for us. Be prepared or fail. It really is that simple. I never expect our clients to sit through a face to face with me when I am waffling or talking drivel I fully expect & actually want them to say to me that the meeting is over as I am wasting their time. This is what I want to get over to my team at Merchandise Mania and our partners, our customers may not want to say it but we need to know it!
Oh and lets not forget there is that General Election 'thing' happening today in the UK so exercise the right, 'Go and Vote'. (PLEASE)
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Leaders Debate, Part 2
So I am sat here watching the Leaders Debate, Part 2 with the lovely Mrs P sat besides me, the 4 little P's are all sleeping and I am now trying to work out what type of leader these guys are. So we are 45 minutes in and I now have the answer, it doesn't matter! Yes that's right, it does not matter what type of leader these guys who could be Prime Minister in a few weeks. Why I hear you shout.........These guys may be leading the country, may be Prime Minister but it is not going to affect me as I am not close enough to experience their leadership. However it will make a huge difference to the team in my organisation as to what type of leader I am. This is because that team is constantly influenced by my actions. Sometimes they are influenced by my mood, attire, and certainly by my decisions. I have to remind myself regularly that how I do things is almost as important as what I do! I accept the fact that I am not always great at practising what I am talking about here, but I still stand a good chance of improving.
Who is an inspirational leader? Cameron, Clegg, Brown....... Lets be clear on something, it is not a case of 'I agree with Nick.' I am more worried about taxation, the economy, jobs, defence, the NHS and especially education which is incredibly close to my heart.
Who does inspire......we all do......and we must not forget it.....
Who is an inspirational leader? Cameron, Clegg, Brown....... Lets be clear on something, it is not a case of 'I agree with Nick.' I am more worried about taxation, the economy, jobs, defence, the NHS and especially education which is incredibly close to my heart.
Who does inspire......we all do......and we must not forget it.....
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
How do I juggle family and business?
I am blessed with 4 stunning boys, 5, 4, 2 years and 10 weeks! I have an amazing wife, a business that is successful in its field, I am involved in local politics as a Borough Councillor and unsurprisingly I have little time to think! Thinking is a key skill and a core need of any business. There are times we are too busy to think or strategise and we think everything is ok but inevitably something comes up and bites us in the bum because we have not seen it coming or planned for the eventuality.
Now of course we cannot plan for every eventuality, but we can take time to think through situations and strategy. This is the part I struggle with. Not because I lack creativity or skill, simply I lack the time to put into practice that which I preach. Most of the creative thinking I have had in the last 10 weeks has come to me when I am feeding the little one somewhere around 3 am. It is crazy how much I do think at that time, why? Simply because I have time! For 1 hour each and every night, somewhere between 2 and 3am my son wakes up wanting a bottle and I have time with myself…well with Louie as well, but he is very good and tries not to interrupt my thought process!! So am I really too busy being busy to realise what I should be doing, or just too pig headed to do something about it. Truthfully I am not sure, when I find out I am sure I will blog about it!
I think the overwhelming message is that I need to find some time each day for myself, to think about whatever it is that needs to be thought about or just to allow thoughts the time to come to me…..you should try it, I know I am and you never know it may actually work!!!
Best
Simon
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