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LATEST NEWS 29th January 2012 LONDON'S FAILING HIV PREVENTION PROGRAMME SYMPTOMATIC OF WIDER NHS STRATEGY ISSUES Latest Cowan Global Blog
A recent report has criticised the way HIV services in London are commissioned highlighting ‘significant management failings’ and a ‘lack of strategy’ as the root causes. But as the debate surrounding the government’s health service reforms rumbles on, aren't these among the same issues which neither side seems willing to grasp? Click on the Cowan Blog logo to read more.
22nd January 2012 AT LAST, A STRATEGY FOR SPORT - BUT IS IT ANY GOOD? Latest Cowan Global Blog
Regular readers of this blog will know that in the past I have been particularly critical of the lack of good strategy coming from politicians in general and the lack of strategy for sport coming from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in particular. Last week, DCMS announced ‘Creating a sporting habit for life – a new youth sport strategy’ – a positive step which I applaud. But, as strategies go, is it any good?
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14th January 2012 EUROZONE CREDIT DOWNGRADES SHOULD SURPRISE NO ONE Latest Cowan Global Blog
In fairness, Standard and Poor’s downgrading of credit ratings for Italy and Portugal probably hasn’t surprised anyone but reaction to France’s, and to a lesser extent Austria's, downgrading has met with some surprise. It shouldn’t. A month ago this blog criticised the lack of leadership and the lack of strategy being seen in addressing the Eurozone crisis and, as what we termed ‘the management of the continuation of mediocrity by the unaware’ has continued, perhaps the only surprise should be that Standard and Poor’s took so long to act.
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11th January 2012 HS2: WHY WE DON'T KNOW WHO IS RIGHT AND WHO IS WRONG Latest Cowan Global Blog
As predicted, the government has come out in favour of the proposals for the new high-speed rail line from London to Birmingham commonly referred to as HS2. The decision has given rise to strong feelings among those both for and against however, from a sound strategy point of view, we simply do not know which view is right, there are still too many ‘unknown unknowns.’
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7th January 2012 DO POLITICIANS 'GET' STRATEGY? Latest Cowan Global Blog
It has been an interesting week for observing politicians in the UK and looking for some understanding of strategy. Party leaders, new initiatives and the use of social media have all been in the spotlight but what do the events of the week tell us about how much those running the country understand strategy?
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29th December 2011 HOW TO AVOID ANOTHER NEW YEAR WITH FAILED RESOLUTIONS Latest Cowan Global Blog
Every year is the same; depending on which survey you read somewhere over 70%, 80% or even 95% of all New Year’s Eve resolutions are doomed to fail. Where will yours stack up in that statistical pile? Here are a few tips to ensure this year your resolution becomes reality.
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23rd December 2011 SANTA'S OWN STRATEGY STORY Latest Cowan Global Blog
Here we are, Christmas rapidly approaching and, no doubt, Santa and his helpers are busy loading up their sleigh while the reindeer prepare at the pre-event Pasta Party. But are you aware that the scene you are probably picturing was aided by a very clever strategy early in the last century....
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18th December 2011 REPORTS MAKE STRONG CASE FOR VERTICALLY INTEGRATING STRATEGY Latest Cowan Global Blog
The last couple of weeks have seen two important reports published, neither of which has been linked to the other by media or politicians but which together add weight to my oft-repeated suggestion that far better vertical integration of strategy is demanded of our politicians and their quangos.
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10th December 2011 THE EUROZONE CRISIS - STILL NO STRATEGY AND STILL NO REAL FIX Latest Cowan Global Blog
Last week, following Jacques Delors’ criticism of the flawed process behind the creation of the Euro, I looked at how solving the Eurozone Crisis was being handicapped by an absence of sound leadership and good strategy. The article (The Eurozone Crisis – The Management of the Continuation of Mediocrity by the Unaware) closed with the following paragraph: “Where will we end up? Eventually the flawed structure will be patched up; fear or dire circumstance will eventually force it. The word strategy will continue to be employed without being fully comprehended and future strategy will be hampered by the requirement to be force fit to structure. Managers will manage resources advised by economists while leaders and strategists ponder (and write about) what might have been.” Unfortunately, for both the Eurozone and the UK, I fear I may have been proved right far earlier than I envisaged.
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7th December 2011 WHEN IS A RIP-OFF NOT A RIP-OFF? Latest Cowan Global Blog
Today’s BBC TV programme ‘Rip-Off Britain’ has rightly highlighted the damaging effects on business of low Broadband speeds. These low speeds, usually in rural areas, can seriously undermine the potential a business has for success. The issue also impacts on domestic users and has been recognised by the government who are investing £530m to address the problem. In the meantime we have sympathy with these customers as they are ripped-off with charges relating to far better service than they receive. But what the ‘Rip-Off Britain’ programme also highlighted without being aware of it, is how not doing your homework can have a drastic effect on the success or otherwise of your business.
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5th December 2011 "PLEASE HELP CHILDREN LIKE ME HAVE A SPORTING CHANCE" Latest Cowan Global Blog
Today we are handing the Cowan Global Blog over to Cerebral Palsy Sport (or CP Sport as they are usually referred to). We love what they do and we hope you will too…….
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3rd December 2011 THE EUROZONE CRISIS - THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CONTINUATION OF MEDIOCRITY BY THE UNAWARE Latest Cowan Global Blog
Much of the UK’s media is today leading with the story of Jacques Delors’ interview with the Telegraph in which he suggests that “a fault in execution” had doomed the Euro to its present crisis. “Turning a blind eye to the weaknesses of some member states” is also highlighted as a contributing factor by Delors in an article in which he is quoted as saying, “the Eurozone was flawed from the beginning and efforts to tackle its problems have so far been too little too late.” His views are important because Jacques Delors, the former President of the European Commission, is often credited as the architect of the single currency. But why is this of interest to a strategist and what role could (and should) sound strategic thinking have played (and play) in addressing what has been termed, ‘the Euro Project’?
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21st November 2011 "HELLO; I'M A CONSULTANT" Latest Cowan Global Blog
If recent media reports are to be believed (and people are believing them) then introducing myself in this way now gives me a somewhat lower social standing than, let’s say bankers or estate agents.
However sensationalist newspaper headlines hide a sector which offers much to Britain emerging stronger from our current economic problems and, far from what the media reports claim, the vast majority of us are not out to rip you off!
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17th November 2011 SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND PROCRASTINATION! Latest Cowan Global Blog
Guest Blog by Beverley Corson, owner of ‘Future Inspired Business Owner’. Future Inspired are one of Cowan Global’s partners in the Branduin Business Support Network. Owner Beverley is widely recognised as an expert in leadership training and is also noted for producing informative and entertaining blogs on the subject. We were especially tickled by this one and asked Beverley if she would mind us sharing with readers of Cowan Global Blog
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16th November 2011 WHEN WANT AND NEED OVERLOOK CAUSE AND EFFECT Latest Cowan Global Blog
FUEL TAX DEBATE HIGHLIGHTS POOR STRATEGIC THINKING BY GOVERNMENT
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15th November 2011 WINTER WONDERLAND CHARITY BALL Latest Cowan Global Blog
For once, a Cowan Global Blog which is not about strategy! Nottingham based events company Sapphire Events are holding their annual Winter Wonderland Charity Ball on 25th November and it promises to be a fantastic event. In support of the Alzheimer’s Society and Marie Curie Cancer Care, it promises to be a fantastic night. Due to a prior commitment, we can’t make it but thoroughly recommend the Winter Wonderland Charity Ball as it will be a fantastic night out and supports two great causes.
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11th November 2011 LEST WE FORGET.....
6th November 2011 LONDON 2012 - NOW TOURISM FLAGS A LACK OF STRATEGY Latest Cowan Global Blog
I make no apology for returning to the theme of the Olympic Games and poor strategy. In the past it has been sport which has failed to live up to expectations and promises by hoping instead of planning. Now, it appears that tourism is following suit. I would far prefer to be writing of the great example set by the strategies used to deliver our Olympic bid promises but sadly that is not the case. Instead I hope that others will look at the mistakes made and learn from them; at least that way the failed promises will serve some positive purpose.
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31st October 2011 CAUSING DISRUPTION - A VIABLE STRATEGY Latest Cowan Global Blog
Having recently looked at Blue Ocean Strategy and how, for innovative ideas it presents a great way of creating new, uncrowded markets, I thought it would be useful to look at the Disruption Strategy; a proven, viable way of launching new products into ‘the red ocean’, the already crowded markets...…
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21st October 2011 SCIENTISTS DISCOVER NEW ELEMENT - GOVERNMENTIUM Latest Cowan Global Blog
A little Friday afternoon fun on the Cowan Global Blog…..
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12th October 2011 LEGACY AND THE OLYMPIC STADIUM - IN THIS WEEK@S EPISODE OF 2012..... Latest Cowan Global Blog
Anyone who has seen the satirical television series 2012 must be beginning wonder whether it is in reality a documentary as the subject of legacy stumbles from farce to fiasco taking in broken promises along the way…..
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7th October 2011 CHELSEA FC AND THE CHELSEA PITCH OWNERS - MORE DETAILS PLEASE Latest Cowan Global Blog
Chelsea Football Club’s sudden and unexpected offer to the Chelsea Pitch Owners appears reasonable at first glance but on closer inspection more detail and guarantees must be sought…..
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27th September 2011 RUN TO GIVE FOR THOSE WHO GAVE Latest Cowan Global Blog
We are very proud to be working with the Royal British Legion on the launch of The Poppy Run on 30th October this year when there will be a number of Poppy Runs dotted around England.
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23rd September 2011 OLYMPIC LEGACY - THE ONE THAT WON'T GO AWAY Latest Cowan Global Blog
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21st September 2011 A TRIP TO THE OCEAN Latest Cowan Global Blog
If you've heard the term but wondered what it is, here is our brief introduction to Blue Ocean Strategy…..
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