Category Archives: HBR

Jan 30 2016
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HBR

What is in a name?

Data Scientist is the sexiest job of the 21st Century, according to the learned scribes at the other HBR, which is pretty good for a title that has only been around for 8 years (apparently coined in 2008 at either Facebook or LinkedIn). However the question on everyone’s lips is why on earth scientists didn’t think of using data before that? And more concerningly, where did they get all their ideas from?

Data, after all, is defined as “facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.” That sounds pretty business crucial, and like something that should have been thought of well before the 21st century! We can only be grateful to the kind folk at Facebook or LinkedIn for rescuing us from such barbarism.

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Jan 04 2016
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HBR

Be Resolute

What is a New Year without resolutions? Here at HardlyBusiness we have a few simple rules to make 2016 a bumper year for your business.

Put your customers first: without them, you wouldn’t have a business; place their needs above all else

Focus on your people: they are the most important part of your success, your most valuable asset

Think long term: don’t let day-to-day concerns distract you from your long term goals

Always be closing: a day without a sale is wasted, sell sell sell!

Do what you do well: don’t be distracted by one-offs and fads, focus on what makes your business great

Innovate and experiment: in this day and age you need to keep running just to stand still – how can you constantly innovate and grow outside your core competencies?

Stick to your guns: concentrate on your company’s mission for the year, and what you need to do to meet your targets

Roll with the punches: it is impossible to predict the future in today’s fast-moving world, so prepare to pivot!

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Dec 30 2015
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HBR

Out of Office

Dear Valued Customer / Revered Business Leader / Esteemed Colleague / Grateful Report

I am afraid that I am out of office until January 4th with limited access to email. If your message is urgent, please email me with the words “Business is happening!” in the subject line, and I will endeavour to get back to you (those words allow me to transcend the requirement for WiFi). Alternatively, activate the Bat Signal (Batman and I were at business school together) or notify the Executive Coach elders, and assistance should be with you shortly.

Yours sincerely / faithfully / graciously (depending on level of acquaintance and seniority)

HardlyBusiness

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Dec 25 2015
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HBR

Christmas at HBR

Christmas is always a flurry of activity, and every year it is easy to get caught up in it, with all the activities, gifts, family and friends. With everything going on, it is equally easy to forget what really matters – economic growth, shareholder value and market share.

With that in mind, here are three HBR presents for you and yours. A graph going up and to the right:

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A picture of two men in suits shaking hands:

Handshake

And a diverse group of employees celebrating a business deal:

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Happy Business!

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Dec 17 2015
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Business Interest, HBR

Business Interest: US Rates Rise

Breaking News from our colleagues in the US, as interest rates rise for the first time since 2008, increasing by 0.25%. Janet Yellen of the US Federal Reserve reported the increase, saying that the public’s interest in business was “improving well and expected to continue to strengthen.”

This development is expected to have implications across the world, as international consumers inevitably follow US trends. Interest in business and the economy could well be the next Game of Thrones, as water coolers around the globe reverberate with the latest EBITDA gossip.

Meanwhile some commentators have connected the increase in US interest with the recent return this week of a noted online blog-type business site, after more than a year of absence. Coincidence? Your correspondent could not possibly comment.

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