January 31, 2006
There’s a sale coming up on February 8 whose results will be eagerly watched by all those interested in Post-War and Contemporary Art. Christie’s has got together more than 60 lots, shown in a lush catalogue that’s a work of art in itself. The sale raises a number of intriguing questions, such as what gives art its value, and why is one brilliant artist’s work worth so much more than another’s? Click title above or below to read more.
Read in full Posted by Bob | Comments (0) | Filed under: The Art GalleryTurnarounds
Leadership continues to be deeply in fashion. I’ve just received a special issue of the Harvard Business Review on the subject. And three management consultants, Stuart Slatter, David Lovett and Laura Barlow (both the latter coming from AlixPartners), have tackled one vital aspect of leadership - getting businesses out of trouble, Their book, Leading Corporate Turnaround, covers one of my own favourite themes down the years. Click title above or below to read more.
Read in full Posted by Bob | Comments (0) | Filed under: Leadership and Management, Bob's Bullet Points, Business booksManagement fashion
January 26, 2006
Is management going out of fashion? I ask this apparently absurd question because of some disturbing facts. All the mainstream publishers in Britain have dropped their business management lists, leaving only specialists in the field.
Read in full Posted by Bob | Comments (0) | Filed under: Leadership and Management, Management Gurus, ManagementArt fairs
January 16, 2006
The 2006 Art Fair season is well under way - Palm Beach has just finished, and London opens on January 18th. Should you, like them, make a point of attending the fairs that are near either to where you live, or where the art is most to your taste? They cost you time and money for the ticket - but it’s not hard to get a freebie from one of the scores of competing dealers: and there are always many goodies on display. For more click on the title above or below.
Read in full Posted by Bob | Comments (0) | Filed under: The Art GalleryHow not to choose a leader
January 13, 2006
When choosing a leader, the same principles apply to business as apply in politics. You want somebody who has the support of the high and mighty, the rank and file and the middle echelons. They must have a track record of proven success, and they must have personal qualities which encourage a vital but seldom noted need: followership. Click title above or below to read more.
Read in full Posted by Bob | Comments (1) | Filed under: Leadership and Management, In The NewsArt investment funds
January 9, 2006
The buying power of a group can take individuals into price realms which they wouldn’t dare to enter on their own. Click the title above or below to read how The Skin of the Bear art investment fund quadrupled investors money and let them hang works by Picasso and Matisse in their own homes.
Read in full Posted by Bob | Comments (1) | Filed under: The Art GalleryAndrew Grove
January 6, 2006
Andrew Grove turned the inventiveness of Intel’s founders into one of the greatest money machines of all time. He remains a ’senior adviser’ watching the results of his own revolution in turn being cast aside by the new management’s own changes. Click the title above or below to read what he thinks of this and about the importance of continuity of values for successful change.
Read in full Posted by Bob | Comments (0) | Filed under: Management, ManagersRentokil Initial Pensions, employee share schemes and business success
Rentokil Initial may become the first major British company to close its final salary pension scheme to existing staff, as opposed to newcomers. Click the title above or below for more on the link between good staff pensions, employee share schemes and business performance.
Read in full Posted by Bob | Comments (0) | Filed under: People Management, In The News, ManagementWhy most business takeovers go wrong
January 3, 2006
‘Would you buy a company that sells used cars to high-credit risk customers?’. That is precisely what a firm called Provident Financial did when it bought Yes Car at the end of 2002. Yes Car duly folded, for a total pre-tax loss of £141 million. How do companies lay (or buy) such bad eggs? Click article title above or below to find out.
Read in full Posted by Bob | Comments (1) | Filed under: Management, Business strategy
