Just say no!

I have been working in Korea (hence the radio silence).  A very interesting culture and work environment with some interesting impending cultural and commercial impacts about to happen to the client that I worked out with .  I hope that we have given them enough confidence to face the challenge.

A good Ed's Perspective in this weeks' Campaign about Agencies learning to say no.  It seems (and really not surprising) that agency chiefs are getting frustrated with clients that keep asking for more and for less money, and they are starting to fight back.

I think it is fair if the agency feels that they have been treated unjustly.  Be good to see if there are any high profile and reported cases in the next few months of this happening.  Watch this space!

I missed out on the reporting of the  Sir Philip Green report on cost savings to be made.  Apparently the report was only 32 pages long - well that was a saving in itself !!

I know how he is going to do it

I just had a meeting with someone who used to work at Arcadia.  The way it works there re managing the cost base is that the MD - Ian Green, signs off every order that is placed over £5000 (excluding Goods For Resale).  That has created a culture where they just don't spend money.

Before the announcement of Sir Philip Green helping the Government, apparently the Head of Purchasing from Arcadia got sent to a meeting with the Chancellor - I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that meeting.

So the answer is that perhaps the PM will be signing off all requests for expenditure now ? - that should be interesting.

This made me chuckle

Sir Philip Green, the head of clothing retailer Arcadia Group, has been asked by prime minister David Cameron to lead an external efficiency review into government spending. He will scrutinise government spending over the past three years to identify inefficiencies and potential savings.

I would not have put the two parties together.  Whilst Sir Philip is very well known for knowing every detail of his cost base, he does lead a very lavish lifestyle as the reward for doing this.  So on reflection I think it is an inspired choice and I would love to know who negotiated the contract with him and what his fee is (if there are both of course!).