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Why Do Successful Businesses Fail?
Why Do Successful Businesses Fail? We Researched 150 of Them to Find Out. The answer isn't what you think. And it almost certainly applies to you. In 2008, Woolworths closed its doors for the last time. 880 stores. Over 37,000 employees. More than 90 years of trading....
Another Win, Still No Reason to Celebrate
Another Win - Still No Reason to Celebrate Lessons From the Courtroom A few months ago, I wrote a blog called Why We're Taking a Client to Court. I didn't write it to embarrass anyone (as no names were mentioned). I didn't write it to position us as tough or...
What Does “ETHICAL” Actually Mean?
WHAT DOES "ETHICAL" ACTUALLY MEAN? And why it matters more now than it ever has In 2017, Smith & Williamson — one of the UK's most respected financial and professional services firms, founded in 1881 — gave My TrueNORTH the title "The Ethical Coaching Company." I...
Does Working From Home Really Boost UK Productivity?
Does Working From Home Really Boost UK Productivity? Here’s What the Evidence Says Working from home has become one of the hottest debated business topics of the last five years. For some, it represents freedom, focus and flexibility. For others, it raises concerns...
Positive Culture
Positive Culture One of the Eight Universal Laws of Sustainable Business Scale You can tell a lot about a regiment in the first twenty-four hours. Not from the briefings. Not from the welcome. Not from what anyone says to you when you arrive. You can tell from the way...
Team multiplication
Team Multiplication One of the Eight Universal Laws of Sustainable Business Scale In the Royal Army Medical Corps, there were two routes to promotion. Most soldiers knew about the first one. Be an exceptional soldier. Qualify as a PTI. Become a Skill at Arms...
I just got fired
The Best Phone Call I’ve Had This Year Was From a Client Firing Me There’s a particular kind of phone call that most business coaches dread. The one that starts with: “I just wanted to let you know, I won’t be renewing our contract.” I got that call yesterday. And I...
Profitable Pricing
Profitable Pricing One of the Eight Universal Laws of Sustainable Business Scale I was sitting across a desk from John, the owner of a health and safety consultancy I was in the process of buying, when I asked him the question that had been at the top of my list since...
Values based Leadership
Values-based Leadership One of the Eight Universal Laws of Sustainable Business Scale There's a version of military leadership that most people picture when they hear the words "army officer." Rigid hierarchy. Barked orders. Unquestioning compliance. Do what you're...
I owe you an apology
I started a coaching session this week by saying, "I owe you an apology" I pushed them too hard. Not because they weren't capable. Not because the work wasn't important. But because in my determination to help them extract themselves from their business as quickly as...
Systematised Operations
Systematised Operations One of the Eight Universal Laws of Sustainable Business Scale Bosnia. 1996. A mountain tunnel in a hot zone. Mujahideen snipers are active in the surrounding area. A multi-casualty road traffic collision inside the tunnel. Multiple injuries. No...
Predictable Revenue
Predictable Revenue One of the Eight Universal Laws of Sustainable Business Scale I paid £320,000 for a business with a solid order book. Fourteen years of trading. Established client relationships. Recurring contracts. Signed agreements. The kind of revenue profile...