Friday, May 28, 2010

You Never Can Tell... working with a Buddhist monk.

Just when you think that there are no more surprises, one pops up to make you think. A recent client on the books is a Buddhist monk from Asia, and currently based at a local temple. A chance conversation several months ago, led us to offering some gratis help with his presentation and vocal skills. A small trade-off against the opportunity to learn how to meditate properly. A win-win for us both.

In the hurly-burly of life, one expects clients where the focus of a client is business, politics or whatever. Bit of a change where the commodity is a belief system, awareness and the contemplation of values. Somehow, I think it has added a powerful extra dimension to how we work with clients in the future.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

My word is my bond.

"My word is my bond" was a phrase I often came across when working in The City years ago. Rarely heard today. Strange how one can be reminded of such values in unexpected situations. Was watching a DVD of a 1960's western "The Professionals" recently, and heard this piece of dialogue:

Rico ( Lee Marvin) - "We gave our word to bring the woman back."
Dolworth (Burt Lancaster) - "My word to Grant is not worth a plug nickel."
Rico ( Lee Marvin ) - "You gave your word to me..."

Any other interesting bits of dialogue/quotes about integrity that come to mind to add interest and authenticity to presentations and speeches?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Who fills the space between us and Number 10?

As You Never Can Tell is a presentation and communication company, it would be remiss of us to let the parliamentary election go without comment.

As a teenager, I recall visiting Downing Street and putting my hand on the famous door. In my thirties I revisited - and was met with the wrought iron work put in to secure the road. I felt saddened at the restriction.

'So what?' you might ask. Well - in 2010 what we now see is the street turned into a giant outside broadcast studio with the media circus using the venue as a backdrop. It is a metaphor for the distance between the electorate and the political elite with the Fourth Estate filling the vacuum and filtering what we are to know. If politics is the poor relation in our society, the geography of our most famous street exemplifies what has gone wrong.

When the dust has settled, perhaps Messrs Cameron and Clegg can open their eyes to what is happening outside their front door.