Five Minute Memos

Give your mind a gentle massage with our 5 minute memos. They're full of thoughtful ideas about business, life, music....the universe.

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Death and Taxes

We all have to pay VAT. Some of us even have to complete a dreaded VAT return. Why do we do this and where is the "value added". Learn more and add value to your business.

Teenage Times

It's Sunday morning and you have a plethora of news print to enjoy with you coffee and toast. But just how much of it is news? One teenager learns that there is more to the newspapers than he thought.

Segmentation - It's A Guy Thing

I will be honest. I am "Fifty Quid Bloke" to a tee. Is this co-incidence or can your business clearly identify the market segment it is targeting?

Rover and Out

The demise of the Rover car manufacturer was a shock to everyone, and particular those directly effected. But what can we learn from the demise of this British institution?

Angels & Devils

Whilst the writer and I are not subscribers to the brands of Harley Davidson and Manchester United, the emotional loyalty these two generate should be an inspiration to all customer service businesses

From Newspeak to Webspeak

Warning! Much of this memo doesn't make sense. But that's the point. Read what George Orwell would say about the language on a typical website ( not Dovetail Insurance I hope! )

Raise your Glasses

How has the drinking of Champagne become synonymous with any celebration? Is is because it truly is the product we believe it to be or is it a result of an impressive ongoing, long standing marketing campaign?

Street Theatre

Whatever your business sells, be it high net worth home insurance, golf equipment or fine art, you can learn a lot from those who sell tea towels in the streets

The Stationary Stationer

In 1846 William Henry Smith Junior had a big idea which coined the term "stationer". In your business, what is the "big idea" and are you in the same position as W H Smith

No One is Interested in your Product

The human brain works in threes. Nobody knows why. So if you want your customers to remember you, your company or your product, give them three reasons to do so, and no more

Assume the Position

Whatever your product is, be it high net worth home insurance, antiques or fine art, you need a proposition and a position. Can you answer in one sentence, "What problem do you solve?"

The Price of Art. The Art of Price

A large fine art collection is destroyed by fire and the industry wants to know who provided the insurance. But it is the price of the art that leads us to discuss the art of pricing.

Boys in the Brand

Find out what links an ex Bonzo, a Tex Mex septet and virtual organisations, and how they show that the brand that is "you" is the most powerful tool that you have at your disposal.