Author Archives: Michael Carr

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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?

George Bernard Shaw

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Michael Carr

From the BBC Website today If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an … Continue reading →

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Q4 2011

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Michael Carr

Well you’re now into the final quarter of this year, I guess you’re either in Period 3 or 4; how’s it shaping up? Is the year as disastrous as we were all led to believe it would be, or are … Continue reading →

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Cambridge Elite Business Circle – Strategy and Business Planning

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Michael Carr

This weeks presentation was to the Cambridge Elite Business Circle, a monthly meeting of Directors and Senior Managers and hosted by the Clydesdale Bank in Cambridge. The presentation was intended as a discussion point and not a lecture so please do not hesitate … Continue reading →

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I’ll Have The Chicken Please

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Michael Carr

Hard hitting, straight talking video clip about how we do everything we can to avoid being rejected in sales. Strategic partnerships work the same way, there has to be meaningful, value based dialogue and that probably comes from your desk. If … Continue reading →

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The Accounts Are Always Right- Or Are They?

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Michael Carr

“We built a lot of this” – The CEO was clearly proud when he surveyed the Malaysian skyline but alas his pride was to come shattering down a few minutes later when his Projects Director was to walk in for … Continue reading →

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Charity and Business – Look at Me or Look at Them?

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Michael Carr

I’ve just finished reading Help for Heroes, a very touching and inspiring book, narrating stories of British soldiers who have been injured in the line of duty and who’s courage and determination not to let the traumas and injuries of … Continue reading →

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So You Think You Know What Motivates Your Staff?

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Michael Carr

A very good colleague of mine introduced me to Dan Pink who is a very insightful economist with a brilliant way of articulating his ideas. I’ve included a clip below, for which I thank him; it is long for a blog … Continue reading →

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Are You a Towards or Away Person?

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Michael Carr

Last week I took a call from an old client who was seeking advice. Talking to him it reminded me how highly I rate him as an MD and why. One of the reasons is because he works towards problems, … Continue reading →

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Feedback and The Delicate Ego

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Michael Carr

Last week I asked for some feedback from some of the other forums that I frequent. I asked for and was seeking, clarification as to the content and direction that I was heading  with this very blog site. The feedback … Continue reading →

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