HYDE PARK — We’ve had a few calls recently from companies where the CEO has said: I want my people to know how to manage change… and they don’t now.

The candour appeals to me.

I’d only separate the “change” from “manage” to make a point.

Few of us are really good at managing change.  (With Able and [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/leadership/learning-how-to-change KNIGHTSBRIDGE — We have worked on a couple of very prominent instances of this recently.  Indeed we’re doing one now.  And there’s one single message that has emerged as the most important:

Don’t invent symbolic events.  Just look out for them.

Some of us (consultants) will happily tell you that a symbolic event is tremendously important in [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/change/bringing-brands-and-company-cultures-together

LONDON — Why does W.H Smith have this new category of books in all it’s bigger stores?  (See photo above.)  Why are we obsessed with misery?

I was talking to someone who works in occupational health and safety last week.  And I was surprised to hear that, even in heavily manufacturing businesses, the big issues are [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/change/stress-why-its-ruining-your-business

MAYFIELD — I was in an outdoor restaurant in beautiful downtown Riyadh a few years ago and this lovely guy with a brilliant smile came over with some food.  I looked at him and said: “Your from Kenya!”

And indeed he was. 

I could tell by his disposition.  There’s no faking it.  It just is.

For me it [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/change/africa-communications-and-the-future

NEAR CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Yesterday I went kayaking through the salt-water mashes near the sea.  The pre-departure briefing, with two of my kids and I, included an explanation of the most dangerous animals in the river: not the alligators, not the sharks… but the oysters and their sharp shells.  They’ll “cut you to ribbons.”

So, [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/change/extreme-business

SOUTH CAROLINA — My mom has been calling her American friends: “You guys are being so nice about Canada, thousands of people are going to emigrate…”

The NBC coverage of the Vancouver Olympics has been very complimentary.  Long features with Wayne Gretzky.  Hymns to Canadian style and bouquets about the natural world we inhabit.   Even Stephen [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/leadership/the-olympics-canada-and-the-usa-a-study-of-contradictions

PICCADILLY LINE — Sometimes you have to wonder if they say these things just to wind up the Brits.  UEFA and FIFA officials that is.

Sepp Blatter, the president of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has commented on the England football captain John Terry losing his job.  Terry, who is married with twin babies, was [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/leadership/good-business-bad-business-john-terry-and-sex-at-work

WATERLOO — Who worked longer hours: 19th century miners or 21st century Londoners? We think we know the answer, don’t we?

It is easy — and essentially correct — to say that the modern worker also has more choices, more disposable income and a longer life expectancy.

However today’s newspapers also explain that most of us will [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/leadership/worklife-imbalance-the-jokes-on-us

FULHAM ROAD — It’s official. For me anyway.  I have come to the conclusion that the market has changed.  I recognise that it may only be temporary, but it feels longer-term than that.

Where once businesses were interested in concepts and ideas… most now are being far more practical.  “I want you to do something that [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/change/how-the-consulting-market-has-changed

HOME — I’ve been wearing my dad’s tie all week.  It’s a university tie from Bishop’s University outside Montreal.  My dad was president of the University earlier this century.  He was always quietly dapper without being too flash.  [Okay, the man-bag he carried while we lived in Paris was a bit cutting edge.]

There’ve been some [...]]]> http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/the-future/honour-your-father