Cooperation and contribution to bring development and progress to our city
A striking real-life image from meetings, with my name on both sides of the table, just as I work.
Cooperation and contribution to bring development and progress to our city.
The purpose was to develop the board, broaden our perspective and look beyond our own industry for ideas and inspiration
During a board development trip to London last week, which I had the opportunity to lead with my special support, we used the city itself as part of the agenda.
The purpose was to develop the board, broaden our perspective and look beyond our own industry for ideas and inspiration.
The board was divided into groups and given three assignments.
Choose one book relevant to business today.
Our group chose Ed Conway’s Material World, a reminder of the importance of raw materials, supply chains and global dependencies behind modern business.
Find one piece of communication worth discussing.
We chose an American Express campaign in the Tube, focused on people and experiences rather than the product itself.
Find one company making a strong impression.
We chose Louis Vuitton and its ability to create a complete and instantly recognisable brand world through its London windows.
Every shelf seems to offer another subject, another idea, another reason to keep reading
I always tell myself to keep it to one or two books. It never works. Every shelf seems to offer another subject, another idea, another reason to keep reading.
This time I came home with books about U.S. presidents, pilgrimage, communication, symbolism, happiness and a little more besides.
So once again, the bicycle basket is full.
James K. Polk is moving rapidly up the list
I continue to build my ultimate ranking of U.S. presidents, and after a day of reading, James K. Polk is moving rapidly up the list.
Polk entered the presidency with a remarkably clear ideas of what he wanted to accomplish. He announced early that he would serve only one term, then did exactly that. During those four years, he pursued his agenda with determination, expanded the United States dramatically, and delivered on many of the objectives he had set himself.
What strikes me most is the focus. One term, a defined programme, then action and results. A rather different approach from the political careerism we often see today.
Polk was also a relatively low-profile president. It was during his presidency that “Hail to the Chief” became closely associated with the president’s entrance, reportedly because his wife Sarah wanted people to notice when he entered the room.
Only a few months after leaving office, exhausted after years of hard work, James K. Polk died at the age of 53.
I’m reading a book about every President of the United States and creating my own ultimate ranking
I’m reading a book about every President of the United States and creating my own ultimate ranking. I haven’t made my way through all of them yet, as I’m reading the chapters in random order.
So far, President Ronald Reagan remains the undisputed champion of my list. But President Lyndon B. Johnson is a fast mover, climbing the rankings with every chapter.
