Part 1 in the “From the Touchline” series You don’t need the ball to change the game. The most effective leaders, Chairs, NEDs, Portfolio Managers, and often CEOs, aren’t the ones barking from the centre circle. They’re the ones shaping performance from the edge. This is leadership from the touchline. It’s about guiding the direction, […]
Strategy and Performance Insights from The Touchline Coach We’re in a moment where pressures are compounding. Inflationary drag, cautious consumer behaviour, rising costs of capital, and the reverberations of policy shifts from the Spring Statement are being felt across boardrooms. Add international supply-side pressures and a jittery lending environment, and it’s no surprise some businesses […]
When the Plan Looked Credible, the Spend Is Happening, But the Sales Just Aren’t Coming In You sit on the board of a digital direct-to-consumer business. Last year, the executive team built a compelling case: to hit the sales targets, marketing spend had to increase. The budget was modelled, approved, and locked in. It all […]
Three Direct-to-Consumer Marketing Metrics NEDs and Portfolio Managers Should Challenge You sit on the board of a high-potential digital direct-to-consumer brand. Perhaps you’re a Non-Executive Director (NED) or a Portfolio Manager representing investors. Top-line revenue appears stable. The cost base is broadly in line with budget. The marketing team is active and confident. The CCO […]
Turning Around a D2C Business: An Interim CEO’s Perspective on Profitability & Growth For PE portfolio managers assessing D2C businesses, the real challenge isn’t just driving revenue—it’s ensuring that growth is repeatable, value-accretive, and resilient at exit. Many founder-led businesses thrive on aggressive customer acquisition, but once they transition to PE ownership, cracks often emerge. […]
Need More Funding? Not Hitting Your Numbers? How to Keep Funders on Your Side During an Operational Review. For business leaders seeking follow-on funding or additional investment—particularly when the business is not delivering against its plan—the process can feel like a mix of urgency, opportunity, and scrutiny. Whether approaching private equity, a specialist lender, or a bank, securing […]
When and Why a Funder Should Use an Operational Review Can this business deliver on its plans? For private equity firms, specialist lenders, and banks, an operational review can be a powerful tool—when used at the right time and in the right way. Unlike financial due diligence, which primarily assesses the past, an operational review […]
Why the Smartest MDs Bring in Professional Facilitation for Business Improvement and High-Performance Teams Most Managing Directors are independent, decisive, and highly capable. They have built their success on strong leadership, sharp thinking, and a deep understanding of their business. So when the idea of professional facilitation for a performance improvement session comes up, a […]
What MDs Can Learn from Private Equity Turnaround Strategies Introduction I have had numerous conversations with both PE and non-PE management teams. On one side, I often hear, “We are PE-owned, so we need to act in the best interests of the PE firm.” On the other, there’s the sentiment, “We don’t act like a […]
Leading Through Uncertainty: The Power of Relaxed Intensity Times are tough for UK PLC right now, and many business leaders find themselves on the front lines of a relentless battle against economic pressure, negativity, and stress. As a professional Interim who specialises in stressed and distressed businesses, I thought I’d share some insights on how […]
The Business World Has Changed—Have You? In today’s rapidly evolving world, business leaders are constantly adapting to new technologies, marketing channels, and global competition—challenges unimaginable to previous generations. This accelerated transformation underscores a critical reality: no CEO can master every domain. While this has always been true, it’s more evident than ever today. You may […]
Sensitivity Analysis & Risk Scenarios: A Leadership Guide Introduction Effective leadership requires the ability to anticipate and respond to uncertainty. Sensitivity analysis and risk scenario planning provide a structured approach to understanding financial performance under different conditions. By identifying key variables, modelling scenarios, and developing contingency plans, leaders can navigate risks with confidence and maintain […]
A 20th Century Problem with a 19th Century Solution The difficulty of executing strategy is well-documented and widespread. Research indicates that a significant number of organisations struggle to translate strategy into action. A study found that 67% of well-formulated strategies fail due to poor execution (ClearPoint Strategy). Even when businesses develop robust strategic plans, the majority falter at […]
The Lego Turnaround: How an Iconic Brand Rebuilt Itself—And How You Can Too Lego is a brand that most of us grew up with—an iconic name in toys, synonymous with creativity, innovation, and play. Yet, in the early 2000s, the company was on the brink of collapse. From poor financial performance to an unsustainable business […]
Ranulph Fiennes – Leadership Lessons from the World’s Greatest Living Explorer We all love stories of resilience, adventure, and human endurance—but few people embody these qualities quite like Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Often referred to as the “world’s greatest living explorer,” Fiennes has spent his life pushing the limits of human capability, undertaking expeditions to some […]
Soichiro Honda – Lessons from a Master Innovator We’ve all seen the famous logo, and we’ve all encountered Honda’s products at some point—be it their reliable cars like the Civic and Accord, their iconic motorcycles like the Super Cub and Fireblade, or even their powerful generators and lawnmowers. Honda is everywhere, a brand synonymous with […]
Creating Value During a Downturn IntroductionEconomic downturns are challenging for businesses, but they also present opportunities for those willing to adapt and innovate. Leaders who focus on delivering value to customers, optimising resources, and fostering resilience can position their organisations to thrive during tough times—and emerge stronger on the other side. This guide explores strategies […]
Staying Ahead of the Curve IntroductionStaying ahead of the curve is no longer optional; it’s essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Leaders who prioritise innovation, cultivate creativity, and anticipate emerging trends position their organisations to remain relevant and achieve sustained success. This guide explores actionable strategies to help leaders stay ahead, drive innovation, and inspire […]
Thriving Under Pressure IntroductionLeadership isn’t just about navigating smooth waters; it’s about thriving when challenges arise. Pressure tests your resilience, decision-making, and ability to inspire others. Leaders who can remain composed and effective under pressure not only weather storms but often emerge stronger and more capable of driving their teams to success. This guide explores […]
Breaking Big Goals into Manageable Steps Big goals can feel overwhelming, but leaders who master the art of breaking them into smaller, actionable steps make progress achievable and consistent. Amy Johnson, the pioneering aviator, didn’t fly directly from England to Australia—she planned her route meticulously, tackling the journey one leg at a time. Her approach […]
Ideas on Strategy, Operations and Leadership.