Blogroll
-
Recent Posts
Archives
- March 2022
- December 2020
- November 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- April 2019
- January 2019
- November 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- April 2018
- February 2018
- July 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- April 2016
- December 2015
- June 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- September 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
Categories
- Added Value
- Addenbrookes Cambridge
- Annual Budget
- Business Analyst
- Business Excellence
- Business Management
- business planning
- Business Plannng
- Business Strategy
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Covid 19
- CPD
- Engineering
- Finance
- Gravity Racer
- Heba Bevan Utterberry
- Management Information
- Managers Toolkit
- Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Process
- motivation
- Organisation
- Quality Control
- Risk Management
- Root Cause Analysis
- SPC Batch Control
- Stephen Edwards Flamguard
- Strategy
- Systems
- Uncategorized
- William H McRaven
Ships, Storms and Strategy

Getting the Hang of this Now?
Wow! What a tumultuous year that was; how did you fair, what did you learn?
I guess in the first instance Covid-19 exposed our weaknesses and tested the strength of our strategy.
Was your Vision supported by a well-defined strategy and did your Value Proposition hold merit? A deserved congratulations if so, but what if not? What if your market is more mature; e.g., transporting shipping containers, port- in-land? How do you differentiate yourself going forward to add value, command price premium or grow your market share? not everyone can “boil the ocean” and structurally change.
Is next year going to be the same, just calmer? I don’t think so; the ocean, really has moved, but having said that, the opportunity to press the, Re-Set Button, in this age, is unique and if that is coupled to current macro- economics then opportunity abounds.
Responsibility for understanding that landscape and navigating a way forward, belongs to us as Directors and Senior Managers. The circumstances of this year may not have been conducive to looking at it in depth because we were trying to manage the day-to day, but 2021 is looking more resolved and I would firmly urge you, to sit down over the break and start to be thinking about the way forward.
As ever, feel free to reach out; we’re here to help you, be that just information, a call – a voice to bounce off, or something more structured; always pleased to help and of course there are over twenty proven tools within our management toolkit to help, guide and support you.
http://www.Think-Forward.co.uk
Enjoy your well-earned break Captain!
Best. Mike
Addenbrookes Cambridge – Thank you!
This is a simple, public post of gratitude and thanks to all the Consultants, Doctors, Nurses and Support Staff who looked after me so superbly when I was recently admitted under Blues and Twos to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.
Despite all my best attention and adherence to Healthcare Guidelines, COVID-19 snuck in and robbed me of my O2; not a nice experience for sure, but all is well now and each day gets better.
Gratitude is a simple act which can resonate and ripple so far and when life is at risk, I think it’s reasonable to say that it is amplified.
So how does one respond, in saying “Thank You” when the act of giving, extends far beyond expectation?
A Nurse at Addenbrookes had noticed that my D.O.B was imminent; below is the photograph of what she and the team did.
Such care, such thoughtfulness; an act of kindness beyond expectation.
I say it simply but with heartfelt gratitude.
Thank you to all.
Mike
Posted in Addenbrookes Cambridge, Covid 19
Leave a comment
Stay Calm
I am sure you will have read the heart-warming news this week of the ten-year-old boy who was swept out to sea in Scarborough and was subsequently rescued over an hour later.
The boy had previously watched “Lifeboat Rescues”, a documentary on the BBC and had followed the survival advice given on the show.
Lee Marton, coxswain at Scarborough lifeboat station said “We’re very much in awe of this incredible lad, who managed to remain calm and follow safety advice to the letter in terrifying and stressful circumstance, had he not, the outcome might have been very different.”
Having watched my other news feeds over the past few months and the various responses to the COVID epidemic I thought it rather timely to quote the idiom
“When you’re up-to your neck in alligators……”
From what I see and from talking to my Clients, I think that most Directors and Senior Managers would agree that aside from the tactical responses that are required, it is the unknown future state that demands attention. Calmness, evaluation of options, alertness, and focus- just as the ten -year old lad did; It’ll be great to see where his career takes him.

“There is a tide in the affairs of men”
“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.”
Shakespeare. Julius Caesar
The Covid19 pandemic has been an incredible and surreal times for many of us.
I wouldn’t be trite and dismiss the impact that this has had, but I do think that the positive, flip-side of the coin, is the opportunity of time afforded, to be able to think deeply about what actually matters, and what we value.
Our thinking time about our businesses, has either confirmed our strategy and we have just paused in it’s execution, or we have re-configured our business model and are looking forward to new, challenging and exciting times.
I believe that there is now a galvanising of desire, will and economy, which makes these times more interesting and of greater required focus; we certainly need a greater level of sophistication in our strategy and its execution that I don’t think, has previously been seen.
If we add to to this thought, and in addition, grasp the many funding opportunities that are being offered to us, we should be in a very strong position to to drive forward with a re-invigorated business.
Final thought?..
think-forward.co.uk and seize the moment!
Best. Mike
Footnote: Last week it was announced that The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), which is funded by ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) has been extended until December 2022 and will give a further 2800 companies access to grants to tackle immediate business issues and support improvement plans.
This additional backing is will take the total package of support to £18.3m across 17 regions.
Contact info@carr-consultants.co.uk
Posted in Business Management, Business Strategy, Managers Toolkit, Strategy
Tagged Think-Forward
Leave a comment
Exporters recognised in New Year’s Honours list
With our daily digest of the Brexit headlines I do think that the consciousness of the British public is being awoken as to the importance of our manufacturing base and how much added value is created by it. I was thus really pleased to see recognition give to Heba Bevan of micro technology business, Uterberry and Stephen Edwards, Managing Director of engineering firm Flamgard for their contribution to our international trade and exports.
If you are looking to develop and grow your business, there are innumerable support and funding initiatives currently available; don’t hesitate to call or drop me a line for more information.
Press Release : Department For International Trade 28.12.18
Total UK exports are at record high, rising 2% to £626 billion in the year to October 2018.
International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP congratulates business leaders and exporters being recognised with Honours for truly exceptional and outstanding service to international trade and exporting.
Those recognised in the New Year’s Honours list 2019 include:
Stephen Edwards, Managing Director of engineering firm Flamgard – who earlier this year were presented with a Board of Trade Award (BOFTA)
Dairy Crest’s CEO Mark Allen, for services to the UK’s dairy sector
Utterberry Managing Director, Heba Bevan
Paul Flanagan, Secretary General of UK space Trade Association
Entrepreneur and founder of Ella’s Kitchen, Paul Lindley
Chipside Managing Director, Paul Moorby
Also being recognised in this Honours round are:
Harper’s Bazaar US Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey for services to the GREAT Britain campaign
Chair of the British Business Group in the UAE, Richard Oliver
Long-serving Department for International Trade colleague Adam Thomas is also being recognised with an MBE.
These Honours recipients have shown exceptional service to the UK economy and British prosperity, through UK export promotion across sectors from space and technology to fashion, and food and drink.
Continuation to yesterdays post..
So this morning I was just grabbing a last coffee before heading out when my wife walked in. – “What are you up to?”?
“I’m just thinking that I’ve an hour before I leave and wondering what I can do to make a difference and move things forward”
“Well you could start by making that bed upstairs!….”
Oh don’t you just love ’em! …lol!
Painful truth is she was right…..do as you say…
Have a good day.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
If You Want to Change the World- Make Your Own Bed
I tend to rebel against being told what to do, maybe a little of the the left brain thinking in me but I suspect more likely an element of my Irish gene lol!, but what I have also learnt over the years, is that I will always follow and support someone whom I respect and that comes from not just their intellect but also from their journey in life- having been there and got both the bruises and the medals.
This caught my ear tonight; for sure, someone whom I could respect, someone whom I could learn from, someone whom I could follow, – thought I’d share; hope you like.
Posted in Business Excellence, Business Strategy, motivation, William H McRaven
Tagged motivation
Leave a comment