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    Governance evolution and trends: Brisbane, May 2016

    Accountability Decision Making Diversity Family Business Governance Performance Speaking Engagements Strategy
    Recently, I had the privilege of addressing several groups of directors and executives in Brisbane, Australia on the topic of emerging governance trends. Over 200 directors of family and privately-held companies attended breakfast and dinner events hosted by TCB Solutions, Hanrick Curran and AMPLiFi Governance. The talks and the panel discussion that followed provided a candid ​summary of some of the challenges boards face and offered suggestions to guide boards intent on achieving high performance and good returns to shareholders.
    The dinner event was recorded. Clips of my talk (in two parts) and the panel discussion (in three parts) that followed are now available:
    If you have a question or a comment arising from these clips, or want to discuss the possibility of me speaking at an event or sharing ideas directly with your board, please get in touch. I'd be delighted to hear from you.
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    Fuelling the business performance imperative, in London and Paris

    Conferences Governance Leadership Speaking Engagements
    This is a brief note in two parts: to say 'thank you' and advise that I'll be in London and Paris again soon. 
    First, thank you for your continued interest in effective corporate governance as a means of fuelling high business performance. That so many directors and business leaders have contacted me over the last few years, either to tell their story or to seek guidance has been truly gratifying—and even more so when the same people reach out again, many glowing at increased business performance achieved following the initial conversation. So, thank you for reaching out.
    Second, I will be in London again very soon (24–31 May), to continue the conversation with directors, boards and business leaders; ahead of a short visit to Paris (1–3 June), to present a paper at the EURAM conference.
    Currently, my diary has a few gaps, so if you would like to take advantage of my proximity to discuss an aspect of corporate governance, board practice, strategy or firm performance; learn about emerging trends; or, toss around a 'live' challenge you are grappling with, please get in touch to schedule a meeting. I'd be delighted to hear from you and to attend a meeting at a time and place that suits you.
    My availability in London is as follows:
    • Tue 24 May, mid-afternoon onwards, including dinner
    • Wed 25 May, late afternoon onwards, including dinner
    • Thu 26 May, before 11:00am, including breakfast
    • Fri 27 May, after 1:00pm
    • Tue 31 May, breakfast
    My availability in Paris is more limited because of the conference. However, I am available for dinner meetings on Wed 1 June or Thu 2 June; or, an early morning meeting on Fri 3 June. 
    I look forward to chatting with you soon.
  • Published on

    Breaking three weeks of silence

    Conferences Governance Phd Speaking Engagements Time Management
    This musing is a little more personal and introspective than most written here. It has been written in the spirit of one of my core values: openness. I hope you allow the indulgence.
    In recent days, three people have contacted me because they had noticed that Musings had 'gone quiet'—they had noticed that no new articles had been posted for three weeks. I was blown away, that people had even noticed, let alone reached out. They wanted to know whether everything was OK and if was I still writing.
    The short answer is 'yes, I'm fine'. The reason for the three weeks of 'blog silence' (is that what one calls the blog equivalent of 'radio silence'?) is that I've been very busy. Several demanding priorities saw me fully committed elsewhere (I won't bore you with the details, save to say that big task included making sense of some seemingly contradictory information related to a crucial aspect of my thesis). Then, an unexpected delay to one project resulted in me being overcommitted for a few days. As a consequence, something needed to give, so I temporarily stopped writing articles for Musings. That's all.
    The craziness of the past three weeks has passed, meaning normal transmission can resume. Top priorities in the short term are to tidy up the remaining loose ends before resubmitting my doctoral thesis; respond to several speaking and advisory enquiries; travel domestically and internationally to fulfil client and conference commitments; and, to write some new Musings articles (first up, a summary piece on the recent Institute of Directors Annual Conference). I'm looking forward to it.
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    Would you like to learn more about #corpgov and board effectiveness?

    Conferences Decision Making Governance Leadership Performance Research Speaking Engagements Strategy
    Are you based in or near London or Paris? Do you want to learn more about board effectiveness, corporate governance and how boards can exert influence from and beyond the boardroom?​ ​If so, please read on.
    In a few weeks I will be visiting London (24–31 May) and Paris (1–4 June) to speak with directors and trust board members about board practices, board effectiveness and emerging trends in corporate governance; share the results of my latest research; attend meetings; and, to present a paper at the EURAM conference.
    ​If you have a question (perhaps along the lines of these ones below) or a request and would like to take advantage of my proximity, please get in touch. I'd be delighted to hear from you and to schedule a meeting. ​
    • Do you want to increase the effectiveness of your board?
    • Would you like to know about my latest research on boards and firm performance?
    • Do you have a question about boards, board practice, corporate governance or a related topic?
    • Do you want to explore how to apply some of the suggestions I've shared on Musings?
    • Are you looking for a speaker to address an event or conference sometime in the next 12 months?
    If you've answered 'yes' to any of these questions...you know what to do. I am at your service.
  • Published on

    Change is in the air: Do you want to take advantage of the opportunity?

    Conferences Governance Speaking Engagements Strategy
    What is it with the equinox? In the six days that have passed since the equinox announced the changing of the seasons, my phone and email box have been running hot. A stream of enquiries and requests from business leaders in Australasia, the UK, Western Europe, South-east Asia and the Middle East have arrived. I have been asked to speak at conferences and major events, provide guidance to boards and management groups, discuss the findings from latest research, facilitate strategy workshops, and to lead director development workshops. That some many people have decided to reach out is truly an honour. Thank you. 
    Several visits to major cities around the world have now been scheduled to fulfil commitments, as follows:
    18–21 May
    24–31 May
    ​1–3 June
    late June
    late July
    ​mid September
    Brisbane, Australia (keynote speaker at Family Business events)
    London, England (plus elsewhere in UK or Western Europe if required)
    Paris, France (speaking at EURAM conference)
    Sydney and Melbourne, Australia
    Singapore and Hong Kong (tbc)
    London, ​England and Berlin, Germany
    If you have an interest in corporate governance, strategic management or a related topic and want to take advantage of my proximity(*), please contact me. I would be delighted to hear from you to understand your situation and to arrange to meet you in person or to schedule an event.
    ​(*) If you would like to schedule a meeting or an event but the venues and dates listed do not fit your timetable, please reach out anyway, so that we can discuss an alternate arrangement that does suit your requirements.
  • Published on

    Keynote speaker: Governance evolution and future trends

    Conferences Governance Performance Research Speaking Engagements Strategy
    Earlier this year, Lloyd Russell of TCB Solutions and Deb Coren of AMPLIFI Governance contacted me to discuss an event they were planning in their home town of Brisbane, Australia. They wanted me to deliver some talks and share some insights on the evolution of governance—with a specific focus on family-owned businesses. After learning more about their plans I was thrilled to accept the invitation. With that, planning got underway.
    Two events have now been scheduled on Thu 19 May, one in the morning and the other in the evening. ​
    ​If you are a family or private business owner; or an independent director, advisor or partner, then this event may be of interest. Click on the image for more information and to register (a new browser page will open).