Author Archives: Michael Carr

About Michael Carr

Specialising in Strategy, Systems and Organisational Design I've had a varied and rewarding career and been fortunate to work for some superb companies such as Courtaulds, Unipart International, Akzo Nobel and more recently Jaguar Landrover, all luminaries of a solid, disciplined and a conservative, though never lacking in innovation, approach to business management and development. Augmenting my career with studying for my MBA at Warwick in the early 90's has given me a balanced and I believe rich resource set to draw upon in my Consultancy Practice. My Clients have been good to me, tolerating my idiosyncrasies, giving me enough rope to go along the journey that I was taking them and hopefully in return I've been able to repay them by raising the bar and their business performance, giving them the results and achievements they were looking for. I really enjoy my work and love the challenge - isn't that what it's all about?

Where’s the Added Value?

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Michael Carr

Knock on the door.. ”Window Cleaner!” he announces, without any prelude or nicety. Caught somewhat off guard as my mind had been buried deep into a piece of work, I replied in an equally perfunctory way, “Sure- yes- crack on.. … Continue reading →

Posted in Added Value, Business Analyst, Business Management, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Parched Soil in Suffolk

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Michael Carr

I’m going to ask you to write something down, so reach for your pen and pad. Here in Suffolk, I guess like your part of the world, we’re enjoying some really fantastic hot weather and the ground is suffering, becoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Plannng, Business Strategy, Strategy | Leave a comment

“Think-Forward” a Business Management Toolkit

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Michael Carr

It’s been nearly two years in the making, though backed by over twenty five years of experience; last month we successfully launched the “Think-Forward” Business Management Toolkit. Designed specifically for Directors and Senior Managers to implement strategy and drive business … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Conviviality PLC- Spreadsheets and Risk Management

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Michael Carr

This week, Accounting Web ran the news story that Conviviality, one of the UK’s largest drinks wholesalers, had entered in administration. “The business has been in a death spiral since the beginning of March, when the retailer said its adjusted … Continue reading →

Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Finance, Risk Management, Root Cause Analysis, Systems | Leave a comment

Carillion and Ted Welch

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Michael Carr

A few years ago, I was lucky to meet a Gentleman; lucky, because I think that, in the passage of grey hair that I’ve acquired, I haven’t met many, and this man resonates with my soul. He’s called Ted, Ted … Continue reading →

Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Gravity Racers & Student Engineering

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Michael Carr

A number of years ago I was approached by a local Technology & Design teacher, David Ackroyd, (brother of John Ackroyd, the Thrust SSC designer) seeking sponsorship to build a Gravity Soapbox race kart; the objective was to encourage students … Continue reading →

Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Engineering, Gravity Racer, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Simple Tale of Slippers and Batch Control

Posted on April 22, 2017 by Michael Carr

So who would like a laugh at my expense? On Wednesday I bought a new pair of slippers – nothing of particular interest except that they were too tight. Quick check of the label said they were my size- “I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Manufacturing Process, Quality Control, Root Cause Analysis, SPC Batch Control, Systems | Leave a comment

John Clarke RIP

Posted on April 22, 2017 by Michael Carr

Well no sooner had I posted the previous short piece mentioning the brilliant satirist John Clarke, then news reached me that he has died . Apparently whilst out bush-walking in Victoria he died from natural causes . He was aged … Continue reading →

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#PM Brexit Letter# Understanding Grexit

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Michael Carr

So today, our Prime Minister, signed the letter that will inform the EU of our intention to leave the European Union. The events leading up to today have been a colourful twist of hyperbole, dis-information, naievity and political snakes and … Continue reading →

Posted in business planning, Business Strategy, Strategy, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Economic Insight for Informed Business Decisions

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Michael Carr

I’ve commented before on the availability of economic and industry data reports from the banks. If you haven’t already subscribed for these reports I do recommend them to you. The reports are not just to aid you when you start … Continue reading →

Posted in Annual Budget, business planning, Business Strategy, Management Information, Strategy, Uncategorized | Leave a comment