Why work is the new sex?
Originally a Civil Engineer, Avril has had a varied career including teaching Physics and starting and building an award-winning Wealth Management firm.
What a pulled muscle taught me about business
I put my back out. This is the stuff of jokes. I pulled a muscle in what is effectively my arse whilst at the gym. I cannot describe the pain without having to have my words blacked out. Which is very nearly what I did. So several days have been spent in a drug-induced haze.
It’s better to quit now and start again than ruin your reputation fighting a losing battle
The collapse of HMV, Jessops, Blockbusters, et al has led to many musings about the terrible luck these brands have experienced.
Top Lessons Learned Over The Last Month
Oh my good grief. This last month or so has been a roller coaster of a ride. I do believe I have seen the best and worst of people. And myself, I’m afraid to say. But through pain comes the chance to learn and grow… So, what ‘lessons learned’ can I share with you dear reader?
When it comes to your staff or colleagues, sniff, don’t bite
Let’s have a D&M. That’s a ‘deep and meaningful’ for anyone who hasn’t ever been pinned into a corner at a party by a gin-sodden wreck who has just been dumped by his partner/lost his job/crashed the car. Or possibly all three.
People do feelings more than they would like to admit
Patsy and I were talking the other night. I love the fact I have a friend called Patsy. I have yet to see her falling down the stairs, Bolly- soaked and beehive akimbo, but somehow I just know she has it in her. Buried under her self-confessed Volvo-style behaviour is a Maserati Ghibli just screaming to get out. Anyhoo, talking to Patsy made me think of a new client I’m working with.
Hiring a new employee is just like dating…
I had a rather nice lunch yesterday with Veronica. Which was, all things considered, a result. Because I had sacked her the day before. She was sad but recognised that she and the business were not right for each other. So, before the end of her probationary period, we gently parted company.
Only dumb people think they’re smarter than everyone else
I was at a meeting this morning. It was with an old colleague of mine. Let’s call him Allan. Well, to be fair, his name is Allan. But I’ll save his blushes by keeping his surname private.
This means war, NatWest
Those nice people at Management Today said that if I ever thought of a little short thing I wanted to say, I could do it, that being the joy of online and all that.
We’re all artists, deep down
Last time we talked (well, I talked) about getting the day-to-day right. All the little things that need to be done that add up to one big, right thing.
Beware the inconsequential
It’s interesting how some of the biggest changes come out of the most boring things. And how the seemingly inconsequential decisions often have the most impact.
Meet Madame Guillotine, AKA The Executioner
I was happy to be known simply as ‘The Executioner’ for the purposes of this column, but one of my clients thought it a little harsh. ‘What’s the female of ‘executioner’?’ asked one. ‘It might sound a little less scary.’
University. Why?
I know you need to go to University if you want to be a doctor or an engineer. I can even see how it matters for linguists and philosophers plus no doubt numerous others who either (a) need to know facts or (b) need to know how to think, before they can usefully launch themselves into the world.
Just a day
Today, I:
1. speed walked 5 miles with my new boots on to try to prepare for the Caledonian Challenge. I don't think 5 miles around London is going to cut it for 54 miles over the mountains of Scotland. But it was nice. The sun shone. I noticed stuff I normally rush past. My boots felt ok. I stopped at Wholefoods on the way back. At which point I remembered that there really are two worlds.
Universal complaints department
I have decided that for my sanity alone, I need to create a universal complaints department. Not like the O2 complaints department or the BT Openreach complaints department. Oh no. Frankly on the human plane of general shitness at handling complaints of which they were the root cause, they probably are in my all time top 10.
Expendable? Not on your life!
It was announced recently that forced retirement at 65 is to be abandoned due to a shakeup in the pension system. Well, thank God for that. Those of us silver foxes who still have a lot to offer business now can’t be shown the door just because we’re old.
I love the snow!
Bearing in mind that I am in a good mood, having my annual Christmas Party tomorrow with friends, family and neighbours and generally feeling very happy with life and very blessed, it seems cruel to find joy in the general carnage caused by the weather.
Opportunity and knocking
I had a REALLY exciting call from someone I know today. A possible opportunity has arisen which could massively benefit both of our businesses. It could, of course, cause me to be working all hours God gives for a while but, then again, what's life for if not stretching yourself a bit?
Unfashionable thinking
I was over in the US late September, working on my book. There was a group of us authors-to-be and one topic was about choosing the right title. And that's where it all started to horribly wrong. Imagine, if you will, that you have had an idea for a book for several years
Ships and ports in a storm
Right, I need to vent. I have just had a frustrating session with someone who wants results but doesn't want to do the necessary work.