The Mechanics of Boardroom Performance
“For every winner, there’s a loser. And that person didn’t really need to lose. They just didn’t understand the game plan.” Buzz Aldrin Only seconds on the clock. Brett Favre, in only his third...
View ArticleWho's Afraid of Competition
I've been ignored and threatened. Called provocative and black banned. I was even told by a well respected academic that my approach to directing made no sense and, if it did, it had already been...
View ArticleCommercial Capitalism
There is a third way to direct public Corporations. New "Mercantile" or "Commercial" Capitalism is the original system of capitalism whereby Corporations are traded into prosperity under the hand of...
View ArticleDirectorship Vs Governance
A summary of the differences between Directorship and the Anglo American version of Corporate Governance: DIRECTORSHIP CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (Anglo/American Model) DEFINITION The ways that...
View ArticleUncommercial Capitalism
“When your enemies are making mistakes, don’t interrupt them”. Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) – Money Ball In capitalism, there is no "right" way to compete. All there are is myths. But some myths are...
View ArticleThe Language of Directorship
I’ve been accused of recklessly inventing words. True, I use unfamiliar words. But that’s because I find the language of Corporate Governance (CG) is holding us back. The language of CG is confusing....
View ArticleWhen Do We Start Talking About Promises?
Directors don't just make decisions they exchange Promises. Directors create value when they ensure Corporations exchange the best possible Promises with Trading Partners (you might call them...
View ArticleThe Corporation is Free ( and No One's B$tch)
The Corporation and its Board is no one's b$tch. Neither is subordinate to the interests of any shareholder or other Trading Partner. The Corporation is free. The Corporation is a separate legal...
View ArticleAn Antidote to Governance
Corporate governance is under siege. But, no matter how damning the argument against best practice, the governance industry has had a rock steady defense. "Corporate Governance may not be perfect...
View ArticleThe Third Way
My latest essay published in the November edition of Governance.co.uk "Commercialism has been the victim of the governance wars. What democrats and pirates share in common is a reckless indifference...
View ArticleThe Green Shoot of a New Branch of Directing
In the Third Way, I argued that Corporate Governance should be elevated to a category of knowledge in the same way we see law or biology. I was wrong. Corporate Governance is not the tree of...
View ArticleHow Does This Corporation Work ?
"Explain to me how this corporation works. How does it create value?" Be careful asking this question of the Board. It seldom ends well. Never assume the Board knows the answer or if they do, that...
View ArticleEarning the Right to Trust
The opposite of any business problem is seldom the best solution. It's more likely to become the next problem. Risk management is not the best solution to stupid (unjustifiable risk). Independence...
View ArticleDid You Hear the One About the Board?
"a non executive director was a bit like a bidet - no one knows what it does, but it adds a bit of class" Michael Grade, former chair, BBC " Directors are like parsley on fish — decorative but...
View ArticleWhat Must Directors Do
"Managers Must Manage". Peter Drucker What must directors do? To most, the answer is obvious - Directors must govern: "Governance is a discipline different from management. Understanding that...
View ArticleChoosing Sides in the Governance Wars*
The corporation is a near perfect idea. How better to raise the standards of human existence than create a vehicle for collective aspiration, endeavour and ingenuity. And though, in the hands of the...
View ArticleWhat Ever Happened to Directing
Sovereign wealth fund, Oslo-based Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), has recently come out with a Note outlining its expectations when it comes to the board and corporate governance. The...
View ArticleA Model of Directing
Contrary to popular opinion, directing is not concerned with ensuring investment returns to investors. That is the domain of corporate governance. Good directing is concerned with the actions that...
View ArticleThe Tasks of Directing
Directing is primarily about getting things done. Someone has to do the things that either haven't or can't be delegated away. These things are the tasks of directing. As Peter Drucker put it:...
View ArticleDirect For Strength Govern For Weakness
Directors have become defined by their weaknesses and the vitriol of their critics. This must stop. No director should be subjected to constant taunts of inadequacy or worse. Likewise, no CEO...
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