PAULSPACE

Welcome to PaulSpace where our CEOTalk will be ‘short’ on economic forecasts, but ‘long’ on making sense of a changing world.

Enjoy PaulSpace where I share my latest thinking and welcome your feedback.

Attending the Make Roads Safe conference in Rome was an amazing experience and inspired me to write my latest Insight Document 'Police Are People Too'.  Working with a team of the world’s most experienced Police Commissioners was just great.  The opportunity to be involved in an initiative to save 5 million lives is simply unbelievable!  The private dinner in the Vatican was a once in a life-time opportunity. And about the ‘Bond Girl’ (Michelle Yeoh).  The ‘rudder’ (that’s me), gained enormous credibility with the ‘old coppers’ by facilitating a meeting and photo for them with Michelle.  Sir Keith says my intelligence, professionalism, and integrity can never be challenged!

Zappos.com A new chapter in their story, a new stage in their pioneering journey.  In less than 10 years, a simple, out of the box idea (buying shoes on-line?) has grown into a vanguard company and brand that sets the standard for any customer and culture-centric business. Amazon have bought them (in a stock deal), for US800mn.   My bet?  Watch Zappos go international over the next couple of years.

The first ever world conference on Positive Psychology (Philadelphia) was attended by Christian Dahmen (our inspirational Independent Director). Our conclusion? ON-Brand is at the forefront of adapting these philosophies towards core strategic challenges and making a sustainable impact.  Christian’s personal journey (crusade?) through the USA was also amazing.  He touched and changed so many people. 

One of the presenters that Christian found the most inspiring at the conference was David Cooperrider who created the 'Appreciative Inquiry' process. At OBP we have found AI to be a powerful tool and principle for an organisation, team or inividual to focus on, and appreciate, their strengths and opportunities. Watch the short video (4min) where David talks about the 'Strengths revolution'. 

In the TED video to the left, Dan Pink examines how business has failed to learn from what science has proven - that financial incentives can actually dull thinking and block creativity when dealing with complex tasks. (Think Wall St bonuses and bank failure!) Pink used to be Al Gore's speechwriter.  (18mins)

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