Marcus's Story

I am a corporate tourist. I say that because it fascinates me going into all sorts of different businesses and seeing and experiencing what they do, how they work, understanding their history, their culture, and the story behind the company.

Businesses are complex animals, but I get a kick out of knowing that some of the huge complexity in business can be removed to create something far simpler. In fact since childhood I've always tried to simplify things to avoid excessive writing. I passionately believe that organisations have a tendency to overcomplicate things, when the drivers behind them are actually relatively simple.

My work in defining and communicating strategic direction for large organisations (as far and wide as BAA, The Daily Mail Group and The Post Office!) has been heavily influenced by my experience of working with some of the most creative brains in the UK, from advertising, architecture, industrial design to brand identity. To find a big idea of our own is a tremendous motivator, and we are very excited about pioneering something new and unique, which can make a tangible difference to the way in which business leaders interact with their employees.

Posts by Marcus Hayes

Goodbye to another great storyteller

It’s a sad farewell to Sir John Harvey-Jones who died this week aged 83. Probably one of our best known captains of industry, Sir John was a great storyteller as his 1990’s TV programmes on failing businesses will testify. Read item »

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filed under Misc, News

How stories have affected Northern Rock

The recent situation at Northern Rock is a great example of the power of stories and storytelling. When the Bank of England announced that they were underwriting Northern Rock’s finances, both banks believed that this would reduce the risk for NR’s savers. But as many risk specialists will tell you, risk is as much a matter of perception than statistical reality. Read item »

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filed under Stories, Organisations

Storytelling As A Unifier

Storytelling doesn’t just help people understand and remember information - it acts as a powerful unifier.

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filed under Organisations

Another good article

This from Engineer Live….

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filed under Engagement

Engaging a virtual workforce

This article on engaging a virtual workforce is interesting. We read an impressive - and increasing - amount of material from India on the subject of employee engagement. With the rapid growth that countries such as India and China are experiencing, it’s not surprising that the subject of employee engagement is taken seriously. We might take a leaf out of their book…..

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filed under Engagement

Black envelopes

A client told us about their experience when they decided to send a promotional mailing to all their customers all over the world.
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filed under Stories

Meaning and Fulfilment

Not sure about the idea of teepees in carparks , but we certainly go along with Daniel Allen’s views on employee engagement today in the Times…

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filed under Engagement

Finding Betty

A CEO friend of mine attended a talk the other day on organisational culture.

The speaker recounted the time he and his wife checked into a hotel bedroom. On the pillow was the usual feedback form, but under the section that read ‘Was The Room Cleaned To Your Satisfaction?’ was a hand-written note saying, ‘Please look under the bed - Betty’.

Much to his wife’s amusement the man started scrabbling under the bed, and found, right in the middle, a small card. On it was written: ‘I’ve cleaned under here as as well - Betty’.

The speaker’s theme was ‘Finding The Betty In Your Organisation!’

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filed under Stories

America’s Safest Companies Rate High Employee Engagement

I read recently that the 12 Safest Companies in America all have one thing in common - a passion for safety. Question: How do you instil that passion? Answer: Employee engagement. Of course, it stands to reason that employees must be engaged when it comes to safety, but a clear message is being sent out here.
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filed under Engagement

Left or right? It’s all in the brain…

There really is a shift going on, says Daniel Pink, in how we are applying what goes on in the left and right spheres of our brains to how we run our businesses and improve performance. I found this article very interesting…

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filed under Organisations

Soundbite: Stephen Carter

Wise words in MT from the CEO of Ofcom…

All organisations are no more than the sum total of the talent of their people and the energy they bring to bear on their task

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filed under Soundbites

Why Storytelling?

Picture the scene…

We’re sitting in the Cinderella Bar of the London Palladium at 10am on a wet Tuesday morning. Martin Clarkson, Director of Brands at Marks & Spencer and part time impresario has brought us together. And the subject is storytelling in business.
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filed under Organisations