Just as you think you’ve conquered it, it jumps up again, like the weevil in the rice. Covid-19 is not for early surrender, that’s clear. Indeed, it may be heralding a new way of life altogether. Chances are we’ll be able to go out without a mask one day – but maybe not. Better to…
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The political divide between China and The West is increasing. The reasons for this include rivalry between two powerful individuals and a regional ‘competition’ to prove whose system is best. China has accepted a form of capitalism as the way forward so other ideological differences now mark the boundaries of control. Meanwhile, trade and business…
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Terrific Mentors International held our first virtual Drink & Think event, and we were privileged to have Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator, Financial Times leading our discussion. This year, the topic was “What could China and the USA do to avoid war and re-engage commercially?” Following our usual Drink & Think events, we had hearty…
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In my last column, called Leading through DISRUPTION, I tried to show the value of three attributes: Skills to Navigate, Creativity to use Acute Perception and Confidence to Command. In a rough sea the Master gives orders. Tacit acceptance by, and unquestioning obedience of, the crew made that form of command possible, indeed essential. Storm…
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Well, I would say that, wouldn’t I? We’re in the mentoring business ourselves. But it’s true. It is growing so fast now that it is difficult to keep up the supply of mentors. Added to which, the needs of mentoring are changing for a world disrupted by galloping technology, tsunami digitisation and a need to…
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The arrival of a pandemic is seen by some as a sort of judgement. Not because it presages the end of the world, nor because it is sent as punishment by some out-of-life influence, but because we are compelled to take stock. Literally, for most people. Stock of what supplies we have that we are…
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This article was first published in Business Times on 14 August 2020 Business values post Covid-19 by John Bittleston, Founder Mentor, Terrific Mentors International As cheap money starts to look expensive it is time to consider what the speeding pace of capitalism was doing to us pre-Covid-19 and assess the implications for our post-Covid values.…
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Even simple relationships are complex because virtually all of them involve some transactional element, however small. A mother’s love for her child may be complete but she hopes for a good, loving offspring. She may hope for more than that, too, but even this small expectation, of one of the most intimate relationships we can…
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This article was first published in Business Times on 3 July 2020 Whimsical Management – is it your gut feel? By John Bittleston, Founder Mentor, Terrific Mentors International As a young account executive in an advertising agency in the early 1950s I was faced with a client who was totally irrational, whimsical, maddening and mind…
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This article was first published in Business Times on 5 June 2020 Getting your customers to pay By John Bittleston, Terrific Mentors International Cash flow may be the phrase of the moment but those in the front line call it ‘collecting’. There are good payers, slow payers and nightmares. Good payers pay on time, or…
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