Boards reacting rather than 'Shaping Things to Come'

Added: (Thu Sep 07 2006)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Business trends are impossible to predict, says business guru Colin Coulson-Thomas. Shape your own future he urges – innovation and differentiation are the only way to beat the competition.

Judgements about technological advances and assessments of the future state of the world are notoriously unreliable according to Prof. Colin Coulson-Thomas. Remember those predictions of cures for the common cold, of flying cars and household robots, and of the anticipated decline of America? And now it would appear that it’s no more certain in the business world.

Speaking yesterday the Professor asked a meeting of directors “Who’d have foreseen that a struggling British Aerospace would quickly recover, acquire European and US rivals and become, as BAE Systems, the world’s largest supplier of defence electronics? All this was achieved during the challenging market conditions caused by the cutbacks in military expenditures occasioned by the end of the Cold War.”

So where does that leave the business owner, the venture capitalist and the entrepreneur? If future success is impossible to predict, why or how would anyone take the plunge, develop a new product, enter a new market or create a new venture? And why are so many already doing it?

Coulson-Thomas pointed out that “Many of the brightest and the best have turned their backs on established corporations and the traditional professions to set up their own entrepreneurial ventures. Students have left business schools and universities without completing their degrees for fear of missing opportunities. Consulting firms and City centre institutions have lost high fliers to business park start-ups. People are forsaking security and suits for the excitement of building their own enterprise.”

The bubble may have burst on the dot-com revolution, but its effect on career patterns and the choices people make has had a lasting effect. According to Colin Coulson-Thomas, author of Shaping Things to Come*, (published by Blackhall Publishing) the business world presents unrivalled opportunities for those who dare to be different. But to succeed requires a new approach to business, a new attitude and a new confidence.

Coulson-Thomas explains: “Benchmarking, copying and ‘me-too’ activities are not the way to market leadership. Customers now demand greater responsiveness to their particular requirements and bespoke products and services. To meet these needs companies must innovate, tailor and differentiate.”

Much more than just a simple business book, Shaping Things to Come is an inspirational guide for all business owners, managing directors, entrepreneurs, and pioneers, indeed anyone with drive, enthusiasm and ideas. Imparting his extensive experience and knowledge, and citing numerous examples along the way, Colin Coulson-Thomas encourages readers to review their personal, family and corporate goals. He dares readers to question their approach to work, forget the ‘norm’ and focus on creating genuine alternatives for customers, and for themselves.

*‘Shaping Things to Come, strategies for creating alternative enterprises’ and ‘Individuals and Enterprise, creating entrepreneurs for the new millennium’ by Colin Coulson-Thomas can be ordered from Blackhall Publishing (Tel: 00 353 1 2785090; Fax: 00 353 1 2784446; email: blackhall@eircom.net) or from www.ntwkfirm.com/bookshop

Professor Coulson-Thomas an experienced chairman of award-winning companies and Professor of Direction and Leadership at the University of Lincoln has helped over 100 boards to improve board or corporate performance. He is the author of some 40 books and reports and has spoken at over 200 major conferences in approaching 30 countries. He can be contacted by Tel: 00 44 (0) 1733 361 149; Fax: 00 44 (0) 1733 361 459; email: colinct@tiscali.co.uk and via www.coulson-thomas.com.