John Caswell John Caswell

The Simple Life Of A Record Player

A Long Road To Simplicity. It’s been a long time, but those memories stay alive. The lessons are just as valid now. Although my business is different today, it still revolves around people.

There’s lots of travel, and there’s still a stage, a number of flight cases, gaffa tape — definitely some performances, a fair amount of art and music — at least in the coffee breaks. It has a rhythm; we riff, we rock, and we roll — and I still refer to assignments as gigs.

Structured Visual Thinking.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

The Riff Of Life

Like all essential things in life, music is both complex and simple. It has a framework, chords, riffs and licks. It has an overall story. It has highs and lows and tells a story. But the result is simple.

As far back as I remember, that complex/simple thing applies to my general idea of creativity and collaboration. Structured Visual Thinking

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

What is an Agile Business Process?

A well understood strategy has to be built on an effective operational model. The leadership mindset will appreciate the importance of preparedness and as far as possible be supporting the team to build in flexible working practices.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

A Guide To Visual Planning

It’s no surprise that working visually has become so much more common in business over the last decade. A visual has the power to transmit considerable information extremely quickly. Almost everybody we speak to will tell us they are a visual person and they prefer visuals any day to a long document or deck.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

Overcoming Strategic Leadership Challenges

In today’s business climate, there’s a great deal of discussion about strategic leadership. However, there are many times when strategies fail to produce expected results, and when leaders without a plan will thrive, based purely on strong merit and high motivation.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

What Does a Business Transformation Consultant Do?

There’s a lot of variability when answering a question like that. Each and every assignment we work on is about business transformation of some sort. Although many clients don’t define their challenge as transformation.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

How to Improve Team Performance

Although the business world is increasingly digital, the talent and expertise of the people remains the critical difference between companies.

Consequently empowering and enabling the people in the business makes absolute business sense. In the vast majority of businesses the people are the biggest operational cost.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

Facilitation Questions for Strategic Planning

If you ask a group of business leaders to list the most important strategy questions they need to ask in order to transform or improve their business, many will be stumped. It’s not that they aren’t capable of finding the right questions; in most cases, they simply don’t have the time!

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

Organizational Culture Exercises for Team Building

Organizational culture is not always easy to pin down, as it depends on several factors. It can also be constantly switching, changing, and evolving over time. Identifying the organizational culture of your business will help to improve communication and employee engagement in the work environment.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

Culture Transformation in the Workplace

In the course of our work we see many failed transformation attempts. A high proportion fail for cultural reasons.

And that’s a significant challenge because unlike processes and system transformation, where the change required is primarily around physical implementation, culture is 100% about people.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

The CEO’s Role in Business Transformation

When it comes to transforming a business a fundamental business process, the importance of the role of the CEO cannot be overstated.

As a CEO, you are at the helm of your business.

You are responsible for guiding it into new seas with confidence and certainty.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

Why You Need a Business Sustainability Strategy

Are you wondering whether your company needs a business sustainability strategy? Do you find yourself facing increasing pressure to create and implement sustainability initiatives? If so, you’ll find this comprehensive exploration extremely useful. Read on if you’d like to know more about what a business sustainability strategy is and why your company needs one in today's business climate.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

Creative Thinking Techniques for Effective Problem Solving

If you are a naturally creative person, even the idea of discussing creative thinking skills may seem odd to you. Creative thinking is, surely, something that happens naturally - for many creative people.

Given enough time, space and a clear enough brief, creative ideas will usually flow in to help you solve the presenting problem.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

STRATEGIC THINKING EXAMPLES

There’s a lot of talk about strategic thinking in the business community. It’s of variable quality, arguable value (sometimes), sold by some as a dark art only safe in the hands of an elite few and definitely not easy to define. So, what is strategic thinking, when should the process be applied in the real world and how should you approach making it work to your advantage?

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

THE ANNOYING THING ABOUT CREATIVITY

It’s the strangest thing.

Well, two things actually. No. Three.

Trust me they are related.

And there’s a step by step guide to how to be creative at the end for good measure. You’re welcome.

Read More
John Caswell John Caswell

ALL IT TAKES IS A LITTLE PROVOCATION

The journey from provocation to result takes grit and determination.

The provocation is crucial - it’s the grit that creates the pearl

The provocation is the oxygen for the wildfire that inspires everyone - the energy needed to achieve anything.

Read More