Tim Kidson

picture of Tim Kidson

24dash.com columnist Tim Kidson is a business development specialist, facilitator and inspirational speaker. He works in both the public and private sectors with CEOs who want to be winners; senior people who wish to change their thinking, change their behaviour and change what they do in order to improve both themselves and their organisations.

The Christmas present

If the Christmas experience is a cake made up of three pieces, past, present and future, I wonder where you spend most of your time and energy?
The businessman said to me, “Well Tim, what do you do when the phone stops ringing? I can remember,” he went on, “twenty years ago, we didn’t need to […]

January 5th, 2009 by Tim Kidson

The business lunch with no food

It is important that we get much closer to customers than ever before, so that in a fast changing world we can try to respond to their needs.
I am driving to Winchester on Tuesday where I had arranged to meet a special client for lunch. At Swindon an accident has stopped the traffic. I ask […]

December 8th, 2008 by Tim Kidson

The misfit

It is amazing how many people are playing the role of Managing Director, yet they are both unqualified to do the job and very unhappy in trying.
I met a chap recently. He has turned fifty yet he looks sixty. He was telling me about the stresses and strains of the job. He didn’t really enjoy […]

December 2nd, 2008 by Tim Kidson

For all those in pain today

Something Understood – presented by Jane Ray
BBC Radio Four has a programme called Something Understood and for all those who are struggling with the pain of the global financial crisis, its aftermath and the stuff that is coming down the line, there is some fabulous advice on all sorts of levels. Here is an extract […]

December 2nd, 2008 by Tim Kidson

Experts

Sometimes top people in organisations try to do it all by themselves.
I worked with an MD recently who has presided over four consecutive years’ losses. He had three ineffectual co directors and refused to listen or take advice from them or anyone else. He is one of those people that can speak strongly and authoritatively […]

December 2nd, 2008 by Tim Kidson

Hot and cold

When you speak as an expert in your field, you will tend to polarise the audience.
I was watching one of the top international speakers at a convention recently. This person is renowned for really inspiring business delegates. As the 45 minute keynote progressed I noticed one or two people with folded arms looking distinctly underwhelmed. […]

December 2nd, 2008 by Tim Kidson

Chance is a fine thing

You never know who you are going to meet. Every encounter can potentially lead to a business opportunity.For this to be true for all of us we have to be:1) Absolutely confident about the excellence of our products and / or service2) Able to describe exactly how the excellence […]

December 2nd, 2008 by Tim Kidson

Who needs the ‘knowledge’ bit?

Now 35 years ago you basically designed it, made it, sold it and then invoiced. Quality, customer care and people development were regarded as costs. If you had a leg of lamb on a butchers slab in 1973, 80% of the cost would be in the raw materials and labour. In 2008 if you buy […]

December 2nd, 2008 by Tim Kidson

Attitude

As CEO you can always learn the skills of the job, the how to do it. As time passes you acquire experience and knowledge so that you know what to do about it. So if you sort out the ‘how to do’ and the ‘what to do’ that only leaves one bit of the jigsaw […]

December 2nd, 2008 by Tim Kidson

Have you ever………..?

I wonder how many readers have ever been involved in a committed personal relationship with someone else?
You met for the very first time; you agreed to see each other again and then again. After a while you started to plan. You discussed the issues around where you both work, where you both live and eventually […]

December 2nd, 2008 by Tim Kidson