Returning after the winter break, the 2010 season begins on Sunday 14th March in Bahrain. Forward thinking cities/countries and politicians compete to secure the rights to host an event, one in a series of races which span the globe.

In business, we often focus on return on investment (R.O.I.) how else can we justify the expenditure of precious resources? Well, in the world of F1 just as in our lives, nothing is guaranteed. Investment is based on a hunch, a very well thought-out and planned hunch except the brains making the decisions are probably the best in their field.

Innovation created to serve Formula 1 often appears in commercial, military and technology environments some time later; carbon-fibre for strength and lightness is one example.

I’m reminded of a Chinese saving:
‘only a fool learns from their mistakes, a wise person learns from others.’

Well, this fool will be learning this coming Sunday, care to join me?
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It’s certain there will be job losses, how many and exactly where, is yet to be announced. Kraft will already be working on the who and where but as yet, all that remains a closely guarded secret. There are legal implications and competitive consequences of divulging information about job cuts so we’ll just have to bide our time until the official announcements are made.

As with any business deal, Kraft believes there is a benefit to be derived from the acquisition of Cadbury. If there was not a financial return to be leveraged, why bother?

It’s possible though less likely that new products or markets can be sourced in an already mature marketplace, so it’s more likely that cost savings have been identified. Integration of ‘back-office’ systems as well as preferential buying terms from suppliers can also be anticipated but what about the human cost?

The takeover will mean significant change for those directly and indirectly associated with Cadbury.

We observers will likely have to wait for the passage of time to see whether this latest development benefits one of Great Britain’s world class brands.
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A century ago, ships set sail from this Wharf, delivering their cargo to all points of the globe. As you can see the dock has frozen-over.

This image is a metaphor for business conversations we’ve experienced over the last week. Things seem to be on hold; budgets are frozen, investment is halted, marketing and development plans suspended. Whether this is due to post holiday season inertia, pre-election hesitance, impending fiscal year-end or some other reason is any one’s guess.

Until the metaphorical and meteorological thaw sets in, it may be prudent to revise business plans for the ensuing flood. After all, we know from experience, when the snow and ice melt, the water has to go somewhere. Happy planning.
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Brands spend considerable time and money developing a reputation; individuals do the same, the reality of course is how we feel about the brand or person and how that influences our decisions about them.

My 8 o’clock meeting yesterday morning was with a person I have known for 10 years. Without exception he has been late ever time we’ve met. In light of this I was relaxed at the prospect of 5 minutes late, heavier than expected traffic the cause of my tardiness.

Imagine my surprise when a) he was sitting there waiting for me with b) an almost finished coffee. On the basis of my reputation, he had been 10 minutes early.

Two reputations spectacularly colliding and a reality check for us both.

So, what does your reputation say about you?
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On reflection, if the work you are tasked with, does not fit with your own values, no amount of coaching, counseling or medication will dull the pain. Leave it to those who are happy to ‘carry-out-orders’; choose instead to follow your own path.

My recent attempts to contact the boss of a successful telecommunications business was less than impressive.

My enquiry: “Hello, I’d like to speak with-so-and-so please”,
the response “I’m a manger here, what do you want mate?”
me: “I’d like to talk with ‘X’ about a business opportunity”,
the response: “oh, he don’t work here no more.”

Amen to that!

The word failure delivers a sucker punch to hope, optimism and self-belief.

As an alternative, I propose the word ‘lesson.’

Lesson conveys: an experience, one which we can evaluate, reflect and make our own minds up about. A natural outcome to any lesson is: we feel either positive or negative about the experience.

If you are starting a business, lessons will come thick and fast; learn from these lessons and fingers crossed, you might avoid repeating them in the future. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how!

Computers can be re-started by pressing the keys: control-alt-delete at the same time; if only we humans could do the same.