Introduction to Leader 4

INSPIRING US FORWARD

Welcome to our 4th edition of Leader!

Following our recent broadcast of Journal, focused on Marketing, Sales and PR issues, this is a truly 'bumper' edition of LEADER featuring no less than 10 individuals who have made a very significant mark on our industry, including one of our dearest friends, the iconic Harry Murray MBE of Lucknam Park.

We’ve invited people based all over the world to write for us or tell us their stories. Brian Williams of Swire, Anthony Liddiard of RMAL and Liam Lambert of Oberoi are just some of our contributors from the UAE, India, China, France and the UK. Their backgrounds, experiences, spirit and chutzpah make for great and inspiring stories.

One thing they all have in common is a genuine passion for their roles in our industry, and a willingness to share this with us - all are adapters and innovators and, I sense, even in these challenging economic times, obstacles are generally treated as ‘just another challenge’ inspiring ‘different and better ways’. They’re not just surviving but moving things forward. All would make great mentors and many are doing just this. Hopefully, even just reading about them will help many of us as we go about out day to day business lives.

There may be some reason for real optimism. I read in The Times last week that Britain’s service sector had expanded at its fastest rate in two years this September. It’s a similar story in Europe and America. People are talking about the recession lifting at last. Dare we hope? It’s still great to hear good news for a change.

In this issue, we’re also showcasing HR in Hospitality, a London-based network designed to bring out the best in that often under-appreciated area of Human Resources. And our Resident Editor Gina McAdam once again brought back from her travels some terrific experiences; this time at some of South Africa and Zambia's best hotels.

As always, we invite you to share your stories with our 20,000-strong network through Leader and if you are interested in contributing, please contact Gina McAdam, at gina@stratemarco.com.

With best regards

Mark

PS: For sailing enthusiasts, to take a moment to check out the Profile Sailing Cup 2009 photographs at www.pwpictures.com/gallery/389. Our support for Springboard raised over £6000 -- Congratulations to Roland Fasel and his winning team from The Dorchester for 1st position overall…

PSS: Congratulations to Gerald Burke on five successful years running Cranfield University’s Business Growth Programme which goes back in-house next year - as a past participant myself, I can thoroughly recommend BGP and I would encourage other ambitious owner managers to find out more by watching the videos on the BGP website at www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/bgp or to go along to one of the FREE briefing events up at Cranfield or in London which can be booked online at www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/grow.