What Do You Think Of It So Far?!

Like a visitor to New Zealand, a country I love having lived and worked there, I find people asking how I’m finding the role of Master. It is of course deeply interesting.  The predominant feeling so far is that it is also very busy. This is partly the inevitable result of being installed at the same time as a new Clerk and Assistant to the Clerk took up their duties! No complaints - we consultants know about handling change, don’t we!

Seminar on Management Consulting Gives Food for Thought

A highlight of the last week was a special seminar at Cass Business School - special because it was about the nature of Management Consulting. Father of the Company Calvert Markham presided.

Addressing the theme “What makes for Excellence in Management Consulting?” Dr Claire Evans of Cardiff Business School presented most interesting findings from a multi-year review of the winning projects in the MCA Awards. For me the strongest message was that the predominant tone of winning projects some years ago was direction – the Expert opinion. Now the winning projects are based around facilitative activities. Great food for thought!

The Worshipful Company was strongly represented at the seminar. The possibility of further advancing our work as a distinctive discipline is of great importance to us.

And finally…..

My morning was greatly brightened the other day by a letter to the FT (1/11/13)! It was written by a Mr William Maunder Taylor of London N1 so perhaps PM Bob Garrett and Assistant Sally Garratt know him! He referred to the news that Ryanair has decided to become more customer friendly, and told this story:

Feeling thirsty, Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair walks into a bar asks the price of Guinness. He is told it’s £4/pint. “That’s a good price and so I should like a pint please” he replies.

“Very good” says the barman. “Now would you be wanting a glass as well?”

Well it made me smile!

Yours,

Edward