In the light of the Libya report: a seven-point plan to improve our strategy
Yesterday’s report by the Foreign Affairs Committee into the conduct of the 2011 Libya operation contained many criticisms. While Western governments have been promoting a “comprehensive approach” for many years to deal with difficult states, our approach is not truly comprehensive. Political, security and economic lines of operation are often planned and developed in isolation. Different teams work on each track and often sequentially rather than in parallel. This is partly a function of limited capacity and partly because those who formulate the policies are not integrated into one staff.
read moreTravelling in Europe and beyond – dealing with the risks
In the light of the recent spate of indiscriminate attacks in Europe, terrorism has become a major concern to many tourists and business travellers who want to come to Europe. However, identifying and understanding current trends will help travellers to develop an understanding of the threat and will give them the best chance of mitigating it effectively.
read moreLeadership & Governance: the Law Firm, the Bank & the University
What connects the three institutions above – each of whom has recently hosted DA to talk about leadership, governance and compliance? They run different businesses, they are different in size and structure; and, they have different cultures, constraints and management styles.
read moreSports Direct and lessons for governance
Last week – on 22 July 2016 – the Parliamentary Committee of Business Innovations and Skills issued a 37-page report accusing Sports Direct, one of the country’s leading retailers, of systematically mistreating its workers. An MP noted that the working conditions for its employees “are closer to that of a Victorian workhouse than that of a modern reputable High Street retailer”. The report stated that the company’s billionaire founder, Mike Ashley (also, as it happens, the owner of Newcastle United soccer team), should be held accountable for his company’s failings. Mr. Ashley rebutted such criticisms by claiming that issues of corporate governance are outside MPs’ purview, although he acknowledged that matters need to be rectified.
read moreThe Chilcot Enquiry
Perhaps the biggest mistake we in the West made as the day of the invasion of Iraq drew near was to believe that others think in the same way as we do. This is an error that we frequently make. We fail to understand that others are not of our Western mindset, and that they will read and interpret the facts differently.
read moreIn Crisis – Leadership for Brexit
What characteristics should we look for in our leaders as we collectively face practical and emotional challenges of such great moment? Here are seven suggestions. If followed, they will assist the choice of political leaders, enable recovery, underpin the necessary campaign plan and help to unify our currently very divided country.
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