Category: Money

Looking To The Future (Then Trying To Ignore It)

All good things must end. So with a month left on the clock here in Kenya, I am reminded that the ‘next stage’ of life looms. At the end of 2009 I took a break from the day-in day-out drive of running a business – partly because I was burnt out, and partly because the … Continue reading Looking To The Future (Then Trying To Ignore It) →

Moguls, Success, Money and the Elephant Man

For years I wanted to be a business mogul. You know the type – a Thomas Crown mixed with a Richard Branson – overladen with opportunity, events, praise and, of course, generous dollops of money. I wanted my rich double-cream chocolate gateaux with cherries, and boy, was I going to eat it. I tried, at … Continue reading Moguls, Success, Money and the Elephant Man →

Barbarians – How To Prevent The Undoing Of Greed

I’ve just finished reading a rip-roaring business book ‘Barbarians at the Gate’. After two business degrees, I tend to avoid these books preferring instead to learn on the job, rather than ‘on the job’ – to scatological upset. Yet I enjoyed the ride - despite being true, it reads like a good thriller. What is most amazing … Continue reading Barbarians – How To Prevent The Undoing Of Greed →

Fulfilling Resolutions – A Year In Review

At the beginning of last year, I made a promise to live simply, within my means and to focus on working towards some of my personal goals, rather than my professional. I summed it up in the New Years resolution, ‘to enjoy myself as much as possible and end the year with the same amount … Continue reading Fulfilling Resolutions – A Year In Review →

Home Is Where the Heart Is – Why You Should Rent

As I write this the sun is hunched over Fort Jesus, casting its glare over the waters of Mombasa harbour. Soon it will slink between the crenulations and vanish fast, as the African sun is want to, precipitating the Old Town across the water from me to light up and the evening prayer calls from … Continue reading Home Is Where the Heart Is – Why You Should Rent →

The Most Valuable ‘Self-Help’ Course Ever (Yet It’s Free) – Vipassana

Earlier this year I did a 10-day Vipassana silent meditation retreat and wrote a blog post on Bright Green Talent, which I wanted to share again, because even 6 months on, it continues to have a powerful effect on the way I think: Vipassana one of those things that I was a little coy about … Continue reading The Most Valuable ‘Self-Help’ Course Ever (Yet It’s Free) – Vipassana →

Why the financial crisis spells doom for the environmental

The front pages in the UK this week are a-spread with the news of record profits at Barclays Bank, with accompanying bonuses for top bankers. This echoes last week’s story at Goldman Sachs. Given the recent bailouts and government support, the Economist is right to note that ‘such largesse looks cheeky at best’! Although the … Continue reading Why the financial crisis spells doom for the environmental →

Overlooking Wisdom, Overlooking Value

Here's a piece just written for Sublime Magazine about 'Holistic Economics' There's a deeper, darker recession that has been stealthily growing since long before the Lehmans and Madoffs of this world were consumed by their own greed. No doubt the financial crisis will affect many of us over the coming years. Its speed, coupled with … Continue reading Overlooking Wisdom, Overlooking Value →

Chaorder, slow business and holistic economics

Over the last week or two, I've been quietly absorbing information - letting ideas slowly slot into place in my mind. Instead of forcing problems, I often find that leaving them to percolate produces wiser more thoughtful results (perhaps thoughtfulness is a misnomer). When I was learning juggling tricks as a wayward teenager, I remember … Continue reading Chaorder, slow business and holistic economics →