INSIGHT 7 | COLLABORATION MATTERS A one-man band instils a vision of playing an orchestra’s worth of instruments. Sound familiar? When others bring something to the party, things begin to liven up. Does everyone get a bit of the spotlight when they work with you? in⁷ | Collaboration Matters  Squad selection... Cohesion over cost    Innovation is a team sport just like any other. Fuelled by enthusiasm it’s easy to be impetuous, even reckless, as you forge ahead flying solo in

INSIGHT 6 | CLARITY MATTERS Can you explain to others where you’re heading? Is it clear why they should come along for the ride? That’s something I’m constantly wrestling with. How about you? in⁶ | Clarity Matters  Tactical nous... A shared vision   The artistry of a master tactician is a cocktail of vision and people management. Few would argue with the credentials of either Alex Ferguson or Pep Guardiola, who crossed swords all too fleetingly. From different eras, on opposi

INSIGHT 5 | STRENGTH MATTERS Ever noticed how easy it is to focus on what you’re good at? Conversely, self-reflection rarely comes naturally. Fancy building your own personal visual map? It can be a revealing exercise. in⁵ | Strength Matters  Know your heatmap... Spin your web   It’s incredible to think that despite all our evolution as a species, and the relentless advance of technology and sport science, certain athletic world records can stand for decades. How can that be?

INSIGHT 4 | RESEARCH MATTERS Ever thought about trying a fresh approach? Want to unlock insights you can actually apply? The problem is rarely lack of information. It’s the way you go about looking. in⁴ | Research Matters Act on instinct... Informed by insight     Research is the oxygen of innovation. It gives ideas context, shape and trajectory. Yet in an age of digital acceleration, research has shifted from slow accumulation to rapid crystallisation, AI has changed the gam

INSIGHT 3 | MONEY MATTERS Money disappears fastest when enthusiasm is high. Like a last-minute Christmas shopping spree, focusing on what’s shiny and bright. Not everything needs funding at once. Some things don’t need funding at all. in³ | Money Matters Pocket depth counts... Funding your vision   Like many solo entrepreneurs trying to breathe life into their ideas, it can feel as though you’ve barely left base camp, the rain’s pouring down and you’re already drenched. Tappi

INSIGHT 2 | MINDSET MATTERS Innovators tend to either race ahead or hesitate. Rarely anything in between. Which camp are you in? Either way, that is precisely the moment to think again. in² | Mindset Matters  Pause for pace... Counter intuitive yet impactful   Now you’re likely a doer, someone in action, making purposeful strides to your goal; a trait I recognise in myself. Ever thought what makes a great athlete; someone truly at the top of their game? For me it’s often the

INSIGHT 1 | IP MATTERS Ever wondered what NDA really stands for? There’s only one acronym that works for me. Think of it as your first layer of insulation. It lets you talk openly without exposing yourself to catching a cold. in¹ | IP Matters Rules of engagement... Share with confidence   I feel like we’re getting somewhere and you’re ready to share your idea with me. Well… please don’t! Not because I’m not interested, far from it. I wouldn’t be much of a guide if I didn’t li

Every idea feels like a climb. That’s why the book is shaped around three peaks. Inspire. Invent. Innovate. Simple, clear, sequential yet completely intertwined. Let’s Provide Some Clarity… The need for context   It’s important to be clear about your audience, so here’s mine. You might be a start-up founder, a sole trader, or running a growing SME. Or perhaps you’re just starting out, exploring how to turn an idea into something real. It’s unlikely you’re a seasoned entrepren

We all have ideas, but not everyone is compelled to follow them through. If you do decide to scratch that particular itch, it can feel more like a night rally than a stroll along the beach. If you have an idea you can’t shake, you’re already on the Innovation Black Run. This book exists to make things simpler. To help you see where you’re going when your headlights barely illuminate the road ahead. So, You’re Still With Me... That’s intriguing   I created this book for people

SKIING UPHILL sounds awkward, counterintuitive and somewhat implausible. Yet anyone pursuing an idea will recognize the feeling immediately. Innovation is often about succeeding against the run of play, and that’s where this blog series can help you. So, what are you waiting for… let’s go. SKIING UPHILL… The Innovation Black Run… What’s in a title   I’m neither a skier nor a climber, so why the analogy of three challenging peaks? I was searching for something symbolic, not li

PEAK ONE | INSPIRE Every climb needs a beginning, and this is yours. Peak One focuses on mindset and builds belief from clarity. A simple foundation that shapes everything that follows. Consider this a shared ascent. The Inspire Peak... Getting ready to climb   I have a simple ethos, good ideas should leave a footprint that lasts, one of positivity and purpose.   So why Inspire? Innovation begins long before the first sketch, pitch or prototype. It starts with awareness, noti