As the premiere of House of Guinness approaches on September 25th, Netflix introduces us to the 19th-century saga of the Guinness family… a tale of ambition, legacy, and the complexities of succession. While the drama unfolds on screen, there are invaluable lessons I think that modern business leaders could draw upon, especially while navigating their own growth and challenges. 1. …
Purpose-Driven Business: Why Companies Should Give Back
Business leadership isn’t just about profits anymore. The companies that stand out are the ones making a tangible difference in their communities, and for me, purpose-driven leadership is as much about doing as it is about strategy. It’s about inspiring your team, your clients, and the wider world to step up and create real impact. One partnership I’m particularly proud …
What Taylor Swift’s Engagement Teaches Us About The Power of Narrative in Business
When Taylor Swift announced her engagement, it was more than a personal milestone. Within minutes it became a global headline – proof of her unrivalled ability to capture attention and turn life events into a masterclass in strategic storytelling. Whether it’s the reveal of her upcoming Showgirl album (just two weeks ago) or the carefully curated moments she shares from …
Business Lessons the Euro 2025 Campaign
Has anyone else been glued to the women’s European Cup Finals? I’m not a true football fan, but even I have spent the last few weeks enthralled by the twists and turns. The drama and heart-stopping moments. It hasn’t been an easy watch for England fans. Scrapes, setbacks, and last-minute salvations, the Lionesses have clawed their way to victory. This …
The Importance of First Impressions
THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS IN THE LUXURY MARKET How important is a designer handbag? In philosophical terms, it is fairly insignificant. If we’re talking about survival, life or death. Trivial. On my deathbed, will I mourn parting with my Gucci clutch alongside my loved ones? Possibly. Yet in the initial stages of building my business. My designer handbags and …
How AI Can Affect Public Speaking
None of us can ignore AI. It has permeated our lives more quickly than we could have ever imagined, used in everything from blog writing to social media, event planning, and personal tasks, such as researching holidays or restaurants to visit. Love it or hate it, it is part of our daily lives. A reluctant adopter, I might be, but …
What The Traitors Can Teach Us About Business
I have a confession. I’m late to the party. For somebody who built their business and reputation on being the first to arrive at every party, that’s not easy for me to admit. On this occasion, however, I freely concede that I am behind the trend. Having heard the noise about BBC’s hit series The Traitors, I decided to see …
Lockdown Trends Influencing Hospitality in 2025
The COVID-19 lockdowns are certainly not a period to dwell on. For many, it was a tumultuous time for their personal lives and businesses, none more so than within the hospitality industry. The restrictions imposed on businesses within this sector were debilitating. Whilst I would never minimise the impact, I am an eternal optimist. So, as the fifth anniversary of …
Why Standing Out in Business Matters
One of the UK’s most prolific talent managers, Prof Jonathan Shalit OBE, was a fantastic Season 3 guest on my Events That Made Me podcast. And, one of the most memorable things he said to me was: “Working harder and thinking broader than your competitors gets you more lovers and more haters.” This sentiment couldn’t resonate more with me. After …
Why Hiring Older Women is a Smart Business Move
While most of the world of work is focused on what young people can bring to the workforce, something I champion, in recent years I feel the need to balance the debate. To consider why hiring older women is a smart business move. And for clarity, and purposes of the conversation, I use the word ‘older’ to mean aged 50 …