Dr Edward de Bono (1933-2021)

Dr Edward de Bono (1933-2021)

Edward de Bono’s ideas are central to my cognitive development over the past decade, a shift away from ‘traditional’ (vertical) to parallel and lateral thinking – fundamental to an ethos that continues to guide my decision-making today. His ideas reinforced my lifelong notion that operacy 

Building values-based, impact-driven connections in 2021

Building values-based, impact-driven connections in 2021

I want to create values-based, impact-driven networking channels in 2021, for ethical professionals operating in the Netherlands, Benelux and the EU. Who is interested in forming these with me? With limited opportunities to meet and create value with like-minded businesspeople and entrepreneurs in 2020, the 

Search for success or plan for failure

Search for success or plan for failure

Events from the past few years teach businesses not to predict anything with certainty; established plans and known models are susceptible to unexpected change. Today’s entrepreneur avoids learning backwards; repeating past triumphs no longer guarantees future success. As established commercial pillars collapse, the 21st century 

Flexibility transforms modern business

Flexibility transforms modern business

FlexJobs’ 2016 survey reveals only 7 percent of US workers say ‘they’re most productive in the office’ — 51 percent prefer working from home and 8 percent ‘would choose a coffee shop, coworking space, library, or other place besides the office’. Another 8 percent ‘would 

Knowledge-worker sloths choose flexibility

Knowledge-worker sloths choose flexibility

In This Morning Routine will Save You 20+ Hours Per Week, Benjamin Hardy raises two important commercial concerns: The Myth of the 8 Hour Workday and Quality Vs Quantity. Knowledge-workers sitting behind desks for eight hours, Monday to Friday, is an archaic tradition, absurd for 

Success overturns commercial norms

Success overturns commercial norms

Since exploiting opportunity requires balancing priorities, exciting, dynamic and thriving enterprises overturn commercial norms. Destabilising the equilibrium is easy, rewarding or lucrative. Gut instinct plays decision-maker. Some opportunities tick every checkbox, yet gut instinct rejects them. Conversely, forward-thinkers embrace other dire-looking opportunities that offer gut 

Why mocking Buridan’s Donkey brings misery

Why mocking Buridan’s Donkey brings misery

The paradox of choice, or, in other words, why people claim to want more choice and freedom despite the downside it brings. From a business perspective, too much choice drives people away; from a customer perspective, the ‘fear of missing out’ brings misery.  Slaves to 

Traditional Thinking v Design Thinking

Traditional Thinking v Design Thinking

Why are some endeavours not only too afraid to step away from Traditional Thinking’s limitations, but also dismissive of anything suggesting a Design Thinking approach? While rejecting the unconventional is easy, safe and “the way it’s always been”, does Traditional Thinking disregard (at its peril) 

Success cannot be measured by financials alone

Success cannot be measured by financials alone

True success cannot be measured by financials alone, but by focusing on the critical perspectives that rarely appear on spreadsheets pored over in ivory towers. Successful business recognises the importance of learning and growth: aligning internal processes with customer perception, employee satisfaction and social or