‘Synergy’ is a tired word. Today, it’s sorely over-used in business, and has become almost meaningless in many of the contexts in which it is used. Which is a shame, because at heart, it actually perfectly describes a truth that I believe is one of the most important aspects of doing business – that sometimes, by working together, we can be a lot more than just the sum of our…
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In every aspect of my business over the years I’ve tried to bring a fresh eye to old problems – to come up with creative solutions to those age-old issues that every business faces, and to offer something truly different. So, I’ve been particularly interested recently in an inventive new solution to one of the oldest challenges that there is out there – the need for quickly accessible funds. A…
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In recent years, I’ve often been asked about the relatively new phenomenon of asset-backed lending. This kind of financing has become increasingly popular in recent years – largely because since the financial crisis it has become more and more difficult for many small and medium-sized companies to access the extra funds they need in the form of unsecured loans. So, I thought it might be valuable to share a few…
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Here’s a prediction for you: good stories will never stop being important. I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently, as it becomes more and more clear that the entertainment industry is going through yet another period of dramatic change. The new medium The transformation this time – driven, as always it seems in our modern world, by radically new technology – is from creating experiences that are simply watched,…
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The recent political impasse in Washington, that saw the entire US government shut down after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a mutually acceptable agreement to keep everything running, reminded me again of just how fundamentally important deal making is – not just in politics, but of course in business too. Throughout my career as an entrepreneur, I’ve struck deals – some large, some small, some that I’ve been pleased…
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The markets finished 2017 in good spirits, with a positive outlook for the US economy in particular, but there is still plenty of uncertainty out there – not least in geopolitical terms. It’s clear that some of the most high profile political issues – for example around tax and immigration – could have a big impact on the market, especially for a tech industry in the US that is heavily…
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I’ve always moved fast. It’s the way I like to do business too – I’m always interested in being actively engaged, whether it’s with other people, or new areas of opportunity. I’m outward-looking in my approach – I like to look at a potential opportunity with a specific goal in mind, and quickly assess my next move. It’s the way I’ve always been, and it’s an approach that has served…
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In many ways, when I look at the modern investing landscape, I sometimes think that things are more straightforward than ever before: the age-old investment basics of buying low and selling high remain, but the number of options for making this happen are hugely increased. However, I can completely understand why modern investors still make mistakes, choose the wrong opportunities or take on too much risk, even given the amount…
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I don’t volunteer to make my own life better. And I certainly don’t do it to make money. There is, on the face of it, nothing to be gained from giving your time up to help others – but of course, it is, as many people will testify, one of the most transformative things you can do with your life. One of the most important lessons that I’ve learned in…
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As business people, we’ve all been there. I know I certainly have – as an entrepreneur who has built many successful businesses over the years, I know that sometimes a little extra financial support can make a huge amount of difference. It’s the push that can take your venture from a small to medium-sized one, to a big one – or from a moderately performing one to a business that’s…
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