The UK political party roadmap
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Cognitive Dissonance - why the fuss?

Cognitive Dissonance - where the desire for consistency between an individual's expectations and reality gives rise to irrational behaviour Cognitive Dissonance - it's a phrase you might begin to hear more often in the wake of the Chilcot…
The UK political party roadmap

'Equivalent Hysteria' - or how 'Remain' failed in 7 quotes

There were people turning up who had never voted before. They did it this time because they were very angry with what they felt had been done to them in their communicates over decades - the decline of industry, the rapid increase in people…
Tyranny of choice
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The Tyranny of Choice

Choice - a Publican's View The trouble is they try to please everybody, and they end up pleasing nobody. They're trying to do too many things. They're trying to entertain you, feed you, offer wines & spirits, when all you want is a decent…
The UK political party roadmap
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The Moon Under Water - the synopsis of the Ideal Pub

My favourite public-house, the Moon Under Water, is only two minutes from a bus stop, but it is on a side-street, and drunks and rowdies never seem to find their way there, even on Saturday nights.  George Orwell (or Eric Arthur Blair…
Economia

Economia - Accountants can be interesting....sometimes.

Economia is the industry magazine for Chartered Accountants. Yes, that is generally a 'yawn' statement in its own right, but bear with, bear with.... This is a professionally-produced magazine with some very well designed articles. However,…
Tips for a Happy Life

Tips for a Happy Life....from the Writer about Death

In 1996, Heather Lende was asked to write an obituary for her local paper in Alaska....20 years on, she has become an unofficial bereavement counsellor for the town of Haines. This is an edited summary of the interview from the BBC online…
The UK political party roadmap
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My summit is just out of reach....

Two stories caught my eye in the paper this week, both on the same day to be exact (Tue 26th January), both on the subject of risk-taking and leadership. Henry Worsley, Polar Explorer Three months previously (mid Nov-15), Henry Worsley…
Clever introductions - paper napkins

Branding - how clever should you try to be?

Clever introductions The following is one of those 'clever' introductions - rather like modern day restaurant or car reviews - when the author talks about everything BUT the product/service in question until the last paragraph. Alert! - not…
The UK political party roadmap
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Don't misunderstimate the importance of vocabulary

"If you're using complicated vocabulary and complex imagery, you're going to lose people" - Seth Linder, Dukas PR For some reason, American presidents spring to mind in respect of  both good and bad uses of vocabulary - for every one of…
The UK political party roadmap
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Customer Research - in the political world

"You can't fatten the pig on market day"  - Times Interview, 4th July, Lord Feldman - Chief Executive of Conservative Campaign HQ The need for long-term planning Politicians are famously short-termist - after all, they are judged on results,…