Author's posts
Oct 17
Bigger Than Massive
So the All Blacks have so far managed to meet the massive expectations of an entire nation and will contest the final of the Rugby World Cup next weekend. I’m not sure if there is a word that surpasses ‘massive’, but if I knew what it was then I’d be using it right now. New …
Oct 05
One Year Old
Top Performance Consulting Ltd has just celebrated the first anniversary of its foundation. It’s been a fascinating year in which I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of setting up a business from scratch again. The lessons I learned when co-founding Lane4 have come flooding back to me and have stood me in very good stead. Naturally, …
Sep 19
Come On You All Blacks
I’ve just watched New Zealand demolish Japan 83-7 in their group game in the Rugby World Cup. This followed a ‘disappointing’ opening performance from the All Blacks in which they could only beat Tonga 41-10! Such are the expectations of the host nation’s fans and media that nothing short of perfection seems acceptable. These expectations …
Aug 14
When The Current Gets In The Way Of The Future
I’ve just returned from a couple of weeks of travel which has taken me from Poland to Denmark to Manchester and finally to Dallas, where the temperature reached 114F and the time I spent outdoors can be counted in minutes rather than hours. My activities have ranged from delivering conference presentations to 140 senior leaders …
Jul 14
When Coping Isn’t Enough
I delivered a keynote lecture a couple of weeks ago to 80 students at Cranfield University who are coming to the conclusion of their MSc in Strategic Marketing degree. My preparation for the lecture turned out to be much more thought-provoking than I had anticipated. As I began to think about the challenges that face …
Jun 23
You Really Can Learn How To Thrive On Pressure
Did you watch the final round of the US Open last week? Were you hiding behind your cushion with everything crossed in the desperate hope that Rory Mcllroy would not put us, and himself, through the same pain we endured only a couple of months ago as we witnessed him blow a four-shot lead in …
May 31
For The Highest Achievers, Self-Destruction Is Never far Away
Since establishing TOP Performance Consulting, I have been contacted by an increasing number of people attracted by the notion that they can develop the ability to thrive on pressure (TOP!). This, together with my work with some very successful individuals over the past few weeks, has reminded me how people who get to the top …
May 16
From Knowing to Doing
By Costas Markides, London Business School View profile In today’s hyper-competitive environment, traditional approaches to strategy are obsolete. The notion that a grand designer would be able to analyse the conditions facing the firm and design an effective strategy to move the organisation forward is nothing but an illusion. Today more than ever, strategy has …
May 16
Welcome to Guest Blog 2
I am delighted to announce the posting of the second Guest Blog on the TOP Performance Consulting website. It is written by Costas Markides who is Professor of Strategic and International Management at London Business School. Costas is the author of several books on strategy and innovation and I am sure you will enjoy his …
May 04
Get Off To A Winning Start
TOP Performance Consulting Ltd is now a few months old and I’ve found myself in a very fortunate situation. First, my Associate Consultant status with Lane4 means that I’ve been able to continue working with large organisations such as JP Morgan and Nationwide on some fascinating interventions. Second, I’ve really enjoyed the challenge and exhilaration …
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