No. 01
BusinessAugust 8, 2026
If you ask for an opinion, you'll get one
1,300 people found faults in a real Monet because they were asked to find them. Why asking for feedback often creates the problems it seems to reveal.
Topic
advice
63 essays
No. 02
Personal DevelopmentJuly 21, 2026
Every day is April Fools' Day now — the discipline of discernment
April Fools' taught me a filter for what seems almost believable. AI gave every day that texture. The answer is discernment, not cynicism, on purpose.
No. 03
Personal DevelopmentJuly 14, 2026
Counter-dependency: what it is, and why it looks so much like success
Counter-dependency is the compulsive avoidance of relying on anybody. What it is, why it looks so much like success, and the tells that give you away.
No. 04
Personal DevelopmentJune 21, 2026
The skills that actually matter in the AI era — and why corporate training keeps missing them
The skills that pay off in AI work — judgement, prompt design, translation and restraint — can't be certified. That's why training keeps missing them.
No. 05
BusinessJune 19, 2026
When revenue grows, here's what quietly breaks first
Growth doesn't kill small businesses on a bad idea. It exposes operational debt — and it breaks in a predictable order. Here's how to get ahead of it.
No. 06
BusinessJune 15, 2026
The senior hire that doesn't fix anything
When owners feel overwhelmed, a senior hire looks like the fix. Usually it's a process failure in disguise, so diagnose the breakdown before you hire.
No. 07
BusinessJune 14, 2026
The deep work sprint is the wrong discipline
Deep work sprints make founders better at being indispensable. The discipline that matters makes you less essential — and that's the old E-Myth point.
No. 08
BusinessJune 1, 2026
The founder bottleneck: why being needed is killing your growth
Being needed built the business. Around twenty people, it starts to cap growth. How to audit your week and choose what genuinely needs your judgement.
No. 09
BusinessMay 8, 2026
The judgement gap: why AI advice helps the best entrepreneurs and hurts the rest
AI advice helps the best entrepreneurs and hurts the rest. A 2026 MIT Sloan Kenya field study, plus a five-step kit to second-check AI before you act.
No. 10
Personal DevelopmentMay 1, 2026
When your employer mandates AI: a practical survival guide
Your employer mandated AI but didn't say how. Strategic adoption beats compliance — here's what to ask, where to start, and what to keep for yourself.
No. 11
BusinessJanuary 24, 2026
How to design a role as bounded intelligence
Job descriptions assume humans fill gaps. Bounded intelligence specifications don't. Here's the mechanics of delegation that works.
No. 12
BusinessJanuary 19, 2026
Why franchising is now the wrong metaphor
Procedures scale humans. Policies scale AI systems. The franchise model breaks when consistency comes from intent, not scripts.
No. 13
BusinessJanuary 15, 2026
AI won't fix bad management — it will expose it
Task-masking isn't laziness. It's rational behaviour in systems that reward activity over outcomes. AI removes the last places it hides.
No. 14
BusinessJanuary 14, 2026
Org charts are dead; capability maps aren't
Org charts show who reports to whom. Capability maps show where decisions actually happen. In AI-first businesses, only one reveals how work gets done
No. 15
BusinessJanuary 12, 2026
In spite of
The businesses that will have AI-literate workforces aren't waiting for someone to train them. They're building the capability themselves.
No. 16
BusinessJanuary 7, 2026
The technician trap in an AI-first world
Gerber's technician, manager, and entrepreneur personas hold up. But they no longer map to people — they map to capability layers in AI-first firms.
No. 17
TechnologyDecember 17, 2025
Everyone is a product manager now
AI coding tools haven't turned everyone into engineers. They've turned everyone into product managers. Here's why direction beats execution now.
No. 18
BusinessDecember 2, 2025
AI doesn't replace thinking — it replaces knowing
Knowledge used to be scarce and valuable. Now it's instant and free. The real question: how well can you think when knowing is cheap?
No. 19
BusinessNovember 17, 2025
Beyond the prompt: why asking AI is already obsolete
Companies think they're using AI by prompting ChatGPT. They're wrong. The real transformation happens when AI stops waiting to be asked.
No. 20
BusinessSeptember 5, 2025
The buck stops here: Why "I was just following advice" is never an excuse
Angela Rayner's resignation proves it: 'I followed advice' isn't an excuse. Why leaders must own their decisions in the age of AI and advisers.
No. 21
BusinessJuly 15, 2025
Why Every Manager Needs an Operating Manual
Why every manager needs an operating manual: Make expectations clear, reduce friction, and help your team succeed from day one. Includes template tips.
No. 22
BusinessMay 28, 2025
Beyond the Peter Principle: How modern business elevates incompetence
A deeper dive into why modern business doesn’t just tolerate incompetence—it actively rewards it. How the “Business Idiot” has replaced the Peter Principle.
No. 23
Personal DevelopmentAugust 30, 2024
Be your own BFF
Transform counter-dependency into a strength by becoming your own best friend, fostering self-compassion and inner peace.
No. 24
Personal DevelopmentAugust 26, 2024
Counter-dependents make the best stoics
Explore how counter-dependency aligns with Stoic virtues, turning self-reliance into a path to inner peace and fulfilment.
No. 25
Personal DevelopmentAugust 22, 2024
Confessions of a counter-dependent
A personal reflection on counter-dependency, its impact on success, and the challenges it poses to relationships.
No. 26
BusinessNovember 16, 2023
Crafting an incentive to buy: the power of a UVP for SMEs
Explore the essential role of a Unique Value Proposition (UVP) in differentiating SMEs in the market, offering customers compelling reasons to choose your business.
No. 27
BusinessNovember 12, 2023
The transformative impact of personified values in business
Explore the power of personifying company values for a robust culture with practical insights on implementing the 'GARTH' and 'CLARA' models
No. 28
BusinessNovember 4, 2023
Honouring commitments - right to the very end (a story about notice periods)
Explore the importance of honouring notice periods and the lasting impact of integrity in the workplace
No. 29
BusinessNovember 3, 2023
Cultivating a "rethink mindset"
Discover why rethinking is key for small business success. Embrace adaptability and innovation to stay competitive. Read more for practical tips.
No. 30
BusinessOctober 30, 2023
Navigating the compass of growth: The Ansoff Matrix for small businesses
Navigate the complexities of small business growth with the Ansoff Matrix. Learn to choose the right strategy for market penetration, product development, market expansion, and diversification. Make informed decisions aligned with your business goals
No. 31
BusinessOctober 26, 2023
Service innovation. SMEs and the role of AI.
Unlock the potential of service innovation for your small business. Discover actionable strategies, the role of AI, and how to measure success effectively
No. 32
BusinessOctober 23, 2023
Curiosity: the key to an innovative mindset
Discover how curiosity fuels innovation in business. Learn practical steps to cultivate an innovative mindset for meaningful growth and success.
No. 33
BusinessOctober 18, 2023
Goals, tasks and a brief introduction to OKRs
Explore the distinction between goals and tasks, and discover how the OKR framework can bridge this gap to boost personal and organisational productivity.
No. 34
BusinessOctober 14, 2023
The E-Myth Revisited: A great business book but in need of modernisation
Explore the enduring relevance of Michael Gerber's "The E-Myth Revisited" for modern entrepreneurs while considering updates to adapt it for today's digital and socially-conscious business landscape.
No. 35
BusinessOctober 10, 2023
The paradox of customer input: When to listen and when to lead
Explore the nuanced role of customer feedback in business. Learn when to seek input for iterative improvements and when to lead with innovation.
No. 36
BusinessOctober 2, 2023
Blue Ocean Strategy: A game changer for SMEs
Explore how the Blue Ocean Strategy can revolutionise SMEs by creating new market spaces and unique value. Learn actionable steps to implement this framework for sustainable growth.
No. 37
BusinessSeptember 26, 2023
The Innovator's Dilemma: A crucial framework for SMEs too
Explore the Innovator's Dilemma through the lens of SMEs. Learn why this concept is crucial for smaller firms and discover actionable strategies to navigate the complexities of business innovation
No. 38
Personal DevelopmentApril 25, 2023
If not me, who?
Embrace adulting with the "If not me, who?" mindset, taking ownership of your life, conquering procrastination, setting boundaries, and fostering growth.
No. 39
Personal DevelopmentMarch 21, 2023
Good people can be bad parents.
Childhood emotional neglect doesn't require bad intentions. Loving, well-meaning parents can still leave invisible scars worth recognising and healing.
No. 40
MarketingMarch 15, 2023
Normalisation: a marketers guide
Comparing data from different sources? You need normalisation. A plain-English guide to making fair comparisons across channels, campaigns, and platforms.
No. 41
BusinessDecember 21, 2022
Know when to fold 'em
It's okay to shut down a business if it's no longer viable, you're no longer passionate about it, or you can't secure the funding needed to keep it running.
No. 42
BusinessJune 25, 2017
Pricing, value and the incentive to buy
How pricing and perceived value drive buying decisions, why incentives matter, and ways to set prices that reflect true worth and encourage purchases.
No. 43
Personal DevelopmentApril 1, 2016
Response flexibility
Between a trigger and your reaction, there's a gap. Learning to find it — and use it — changes how you handle conflict, stress, and difficult conversations.
No. 44
BusinessJuly 15, 2015
The four factors that influence starting salaries in any business
Better understand the four factors that affect the starting salaries offered to new recruits by any business.
No. 45
TechnologyJuly 14, 2015
Why you need to install Wordfence on your Wordpress blog
Why you should install Wordfence on your WordPress blog — essential protection, key features, and how it keeps your site secure
No. 46
BusinessJuly 9, 2015
Meetings are what you do
This is a post about meetings - why you want them, how to deliver them better and how to get on top of your day .. meetings are what good leaders do.
No. 47
Personal DevelopmentMarch 4, 2014
Mastery is Progress
Explore how mastery is shaped by consistent progress, what real improvement looks like, and practical ways to make steady gains in skills and goals
No. 48
BusinessApril 30, 2013
The Decline of Initiative
Why initiative is declining in business, how it affects performance and culture, and steps leaders can take to spark ownership and proactive action.
No. 49
Personal DevelopmentApril 21, 2013
Meanwhile - how to use it for action
How to use the word 'meanwhile' to shift from planning into doing: a simple mental trick that keeps your momentum going and turns ideas into results.
No. 50
Personal DevelopmentJuly 5, 2012
A Sense of Urgency
Learn why a strong sense of urgency boosts achievement, how urgency differs from stress, and practical ways to cultivate it in life and work.
No. 51
BusinessJuly 3, 2012
The non-customer
Explore the concept of the non-customer in business — why they matter, how to understand their needs, and ways to unlock new opportunities.
No. 52
TechnologyJune 25, 2012
Get more out of Twitter
Tips to make Twitter more useful and less overwhelming, with ways to manage your timeline, tools to tame the firehose, and better ways to engage
No. 53
TechnologyJune 18, 2012
My favourite methods for music discovery
My favourite ways to discover new music — tools, services, habits and approaches that help you find songs and artists you’ll love.
No. 54
TechnologyJune 7, 2012
1Password, revisited: one password is still all you need to remember
Reusing one password is still how breaches do their damage. A password manager fixes that, and my 2012 advice on setting one up is rewritten for 2026.
No. 55
BusinessMay 22, 2012
Sometimes, working hard is not enough - Poiesis and Praxis
Aristotle's poiesis and praxis explain why working hard isn't the same as making progress. Define what each task produces, then check it delivers.
No. 56
Personal DevelopmentMay 14, 2012
How to achieve and maintain InboxZero
Proven steps to achieve and maintain Inbox Zero: clear your email, organise workflows, reduce noise, and keep control of your inbox every day.
No. 57
Personal DevelopmentMay 8, 2012
Accountability = Success + Happiness
Explore how personal accountability drives success and happiness, why taking responsibility matters, and how it transforms your life and choices.
No. 58
TechnologyMarch 1, 2012
How to view web page source in Safari on iPad or iPhone
No app needed. Here's how to view the HTML source of any web page in Safari on your iPhone or iPad — quick, free, and built right in.
No. 59
Personal DevelopmentJuly 13, 2011
Listen to Audiobooks
Why and how to listen to audiobooks thoughtfully, choosing speed and focus to retain more, enjoy the experience, and get real value from what you hear
No. 60
TechnologyJuly 6, 2011
How to auto tweet and create your own Twitter bot
How to auto-tweet and create a simple Twitter bot: step-by-step guidance, tools you can use, and tips to automate posts without fuss.
No. 61
BusinessAugust 17, 2010
The Formula for Trust
The formula for trust in business: how consistency, honesty and clarity build confidence, stronger teams and more dependable outcomes.
No. 62
BusinessJuly 21, 2009
Business value - don't hang your hopes on the little stuff
Focus on real business value, not trivial tasks. Why big-picture priorities drive growth and how to stop getting lost in minutiae.
No. 63
BusinessApril 1, 2009
My Business Blog Reading List
A curated business blog reading list — top resources, blogs and insights to help you learn strategy, leadership, marketing and better decision-making.