Christopher Trotter food writer, consultant and viticulturist
Christopher Trotter food writer and consultant, a photo by 6 Degrees Networking on Flickr.
At our Leith Lunch on 24 November 2010, Christopher Trotter explained the background to his ambitions to produce wine from vineyards at Upper Largo, Fife, Scotland in 2014.
PR consultant and writer Lynda Hamiltion interviewed Christopher for The List. Read the full interview.
Dr David Fraser author of ‘Relationship Mastery : A Business Professional’s Guide’
Dr David Fraser author of ‘Relationship Mastery for the Business Professional’, a photo by 6 Degrees Networking on Flickr.
Dr David Fraser author of ‘Relationship Mastery : A Business Professional’s Guide’ gave compelling overviews of his book at our Glasgow lunch, Edinburgh soirée, Leith lunch and Dundee lunch during 2011.
Dr Fraser has condensed his experiences and knowledge about the subject into a practical 12 step guide which has a surprising conclusion.
In the clip below, Dr Fraser gives an interactive demonstration of how our unconscious minds controls more than we think. The power of unconscious mind and how it affects our relationships is one of the fascinating topics explained in the book.
Relationship Mastery – A Business Professional’s Guide by Dr David Fraser
Dr David Fraser (www.davidfraser.com) discusses the background to his book ‘Relationship Mastery – A Business Professional’s Guide’ and gives an overview of the chapters. Podcast recorded in Glasgow on 1 September 2011.
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Three Mistakes Small Business Owners Unwittingly Make and How to Avoid Them
Gloria Murray from Murray Associates (www.murrayassociates.co.uk) reveals three tips from her book ‘Seven Mistakes Small Business Owners Unwittingly Make and How to Avoid Them’. Podcast recorded in Glasgow on 11 August 2011.
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How to Pick a Web Designer
Richard Quick from MailRight (www.mailright.co.uk) and Speak to Rich (www.speaktorich.com) offers business owners advice on how to pick a web designer. Podcast recorded in Glasgow on 2 June 2011.
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Shaf Rasul, from Law graduate, successful entrepreneur to the Dragons’ Den
One of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK, Shaf Rasul gave an informal talk at an event organised by 6 Degrees Networking on Thursday 9 June 2011 at Ghillie Dhu, Edinburgh.
Mr Rasul explained to the guests that after graduating for Strathclyde University in Corporate Law he quit his new job at a Glasgow law firm after a few hours. On the train home he chatted to an acquaintance about the IT industry.
This growing and dynamic sector appealed to Mr Rasul and he immediately set up Silicon Concepts in 1994, and subsequently won a six figure contract. Most people would never contemplate such an audacious venture since he knew little about IT, computers and running a business. Mr Rasul didn’t have the financial resources either to fulfil the contract, but by hiring the right talent and managing the contract effectively he succeeded. He pointed out that self-belief and a can do attitude was a massive factor in his early days of business.
The maxim of hiring people who are talented in a particular field is a favourite among many entrepreneurs (Felix Dennis for one) and Mr Rasul is no exception. He also believes the business should have a good cashflow and avoid unnecessary processes. Mr Rasul often buys businesses that are struggling; cuts out the systems and processes he deems unessential; makes them successful then sells them for amazing profits. In one instance he sold a company he bought for £20K for £2million.
As well as being a business columnist for the Scottish Sun, Mr Rasul currently advises Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable as part of the Minister’s Entrepreneurs’ Forum. The Edinburgh-based entrepreneur has also featured in an online version of the BBC’s Dragons Den alongside American Julie Meyer and host Dominic Byrne of the Chris Moyles BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show. His core business interests include optical-media distribution business E-Net Computers. Established in 2000, it is now the largest storage media distributor in Europe and one of the biggest buyers of optical storage products in the world. Mr Rasul also has a division dedicated to management buy-ins and buyouts, providing teams with the funding, buying power and exposure to the supply and distribution networks required to expand their business.
As well as expanding E-Net Computers, Mr Rasul has developed a venture capital investment portfolio which focuses on property, asset management, retail and internet technology. Throughout the noughties he has invested in many businesses. Most have been successful while a few have failed. His recent online ventures include: www.boffer.co.uk (one day only deals on consumer goods).
In April 2011, Mr Rasul launched discount cash and carry BigOffers in partnership with ex-Matalan boss Duncan Sutherland. The warehouse at Newbridge near Edinburgh is the latest move by the entrepreneurs to help cash-strapped consumers. Thousands of shoppers queued outside the 60,000 sq ft site on its opening day to snap up a host of rock bottom bargains, including £150 suits for £8 and iPod Nanos for as little as £20. Mr Rasul said: “Consumer trends show that people want to pay less but not compromise on quality, and that is exactly what we are delivering at BigOffers.”
A guest asked Mr Rasul which kind of businesses were doing well during tough economic conditions, and he explained that e-commerce or e-Bay shops were doing very well, but you have to find the right product. He has a warehouse in West Lothian which he rents out to a number of eBay shops. This eBay village, he says, allows them to group buy services such as postage and thereby reduce their overheads.
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
On the night of 18 April 1775, why did Paul Revere’s warning to his fellow US patriots about the movements of the British army around Boston spread quickly, while other messengers didn’t share the warning so effectively?
During 1994-96, why did annual sales of Hush Puppies shoes grow from 30,000 to 430,000 without any significant investment in advertising or marketing?
How did the authorities manage to significantly reduce crime in New York in the late eighties and early nineties?
Why are groups of no more than 150 people so effective at making an idea, behaviour pattern or product ‘tip’ and become widely accepted or successful?
Malcolm Gladwell’s best selling book, The Tipping Point, explains the reasons why the above events happened and how they all share common factors which makes them ‘tip’ and snowball. The author uses case studies such as the American Revolution, AIDS, Hush Puppies, New York crime, Sesame Street, Micronesia suicides and teen smoking to illustrate his theories on why they all tipped and grew exponentially or became successful very quickly.
You will need to read the book to find out what the four factors are, but in the case of the New York crime for example, the author explains that the derelict buildings and the neglected subway system created the environment for crime to thrive. If a building has broken windows, some people will think it is ok to break a few more. Fare-beating was deemed acceptable in the subway because virtually everyone was doing it. Many of the machines were out of order, which didn’t help matters either. The authorities significantly reduced crime by upgrading the subway system. Plain clothed policemen arrested fare-beaters and sometimes discovered they had criminal records or were carrying a weapon. Fare-beating and crimes on the subway greatly reduced while income from the fares dramatically increased.
The policed also cracked down on quality of life crimes on the street, such as car window washers, drunkenness, public urination, etc. The precipitous reduction of the minor crimes lead to the decline in serious criminal activity and a much better quality of life in New York. As Gladwell points out, a person’s environment has a big influence on their behaviour.
Small details are very often the key factor that makes something snowball, and can be easily overlooked. The author gives detailed analysis of all the various case studies so that the reader can apply them to their business, workplace or personal endeavour.
Personally, one of the surprising factors was the rule of 150. It has been proved that human beings have the social capacity for groups of up to 150. This number is preferable for creating harmonious and productive societies and workplaces, and of course tipping points.
Military units are often less than 150. Hutterite colonies in the USA are not allowed to grow beyond 150 members. The Gore-Tex clothing business prohibits offices with more than 150 staff, preferring to build a new office nearby if capacity is needed. Keeping within the 150 threshold allows members to feel comfortable and not overwhelmed. It encourages more interaction and understanding, and crucially, a good fertile breeding ground for ideas and innovation – essential for an innovative company like WL Gore Associates.
This theory could be applied to social networking sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn where most people would claim to have meaningful relationships with around 125-150 ‘friends’ or connections. If you have significantly more than this, you might understandably feel overwhelmed and or guilty about spending too much or too little time of these sites. A recent study by Napier University, Edinburgh showed that Facebook did create anxiety amongst the respondents to the survey.
On the whole the book provides great insights into why things gradually tip then snowball and how they all share common traits or factors that were essential for them to tip in the first place. The four factors can also be found in ‘epidemics’ that appear to be accidents or flukes.
If you are in business, the findings in this book can be applied to marketing campaigns, management style and culture. On a personal level, it might also motivate you to examine how you convey your business face-to-face or at a presentation. Which makes it essential reading if you are looking for significant improvement in these areas.
How did Paul Revere spread the warning so effectively and thereby enable the US patriots to prepare for the British army? He was a ‘connector’ and belonged to many social circles, so he know who exactly who to share the news with. He knew everyone he met and they knew him and believed his warning.
Read more reviews of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell on Amazon. Fortune described The Tipping Point as “a fascinating book that makes you see the world in a different way”.
How to Find Quality Sales Leads Every Week
Scot McRae from McRae & Company (www.mcraeandcompany.co.uk) gives an overview of the revolutionary new LeadFormix lead generation technology and how it enables companies to accurately identify 90% of all visitors to their most important lead generation asset, the company website. Podcast recorded in Edinburgh on 28 April 11.
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Social Media Strategy and Planning by Mike McGrail
Mike McGrail from The BIG Partnership (www.bigpartnership.co.uk) discusses the importance of social media strategy and planning. Podcast recorded in Edinburgh on 9 March 2011.
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The 2011 UK Budget by Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas from One Accounting (www.oneaccounting.co.uk) discusses the impact of the UK’s 2011 Budget for the self-employed and SMEs. Podcast recorded in Edinburgh on 31 March 2011.
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