Comments

Hi,

I was at the session yesterday in Glasgow. I heard Tom at the same venue about 7 years ago and was delighted to have the opportunity to hear him again.

To be honest I was pretty disappointed. Tom told us that he was very tired from writing his new book in New Zealand - well it showed! I have always found Tom's work inspirational but yesterday he seemed very angry, tired and frustrated with a range of issues, both trivial and global. As he admitted himself at the end, he appeared to be very intense, but it did not add depth to the presentation. His exhortations too often became pontification and tirades against the world.

I am not too sure I enjoy listening to the angry, frustrated Tom. I much prefer the sharp, funny and insightful teacher I have learnt so much from in the last 10 years.

Andy Kelly

Posted by Andy Kelly at September 2, 2009 2:02 AM

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6817850.ece

The main story in Scotland and the UK is the corrupt Gordon Brown and Lockerbie. It ends the special relationship with the US. The murderer gets on a plane in a hospital gown, and arrives in suit and tie to despicable Libyan adoration.

Posted by Michael at September 2, 2009 4:15 AM

Michael,

Many thanks for your comments. Are you on the right website?

Posted by Andy Kelly at September 2, 2009 5:27 AM

If presentations in Glasgow had an angry edge to them it is understandable.

Posted by Michael at September 2, 2009 12:40 PM

Mr. Peters is human after all and who isn't tired of the shady politics, misappropriation of finances, and overall bad business lessons we've seen over the past several years.

Even though GB is coming under fire for negotiating prisoner releases vis-a-vis oil, let's not forget Ollie North and trading weapons for hostages (or whatever it was) during the Reagan administration.

The problem as I see it is that nothing is sacred anymore in business or politics. From the outside and appearances, business and politics look very much alike today; I can't distinguish the difference between the two. Cash for clunkers (business or politics), health care (business or politics), prisoners being released (business or politics), beers at the White House (business or politics).

In the business world, and those who like to manage with some structure, policy, or ideology, are feeling the pain of terrible leadership and mismanagement. When a consultant, such as Mr. Peters is attempting to make business better for all and most people have this "I'm just glad I have a job" sentiment, we diminish value in the workplace and products produced and serviced. There is such a divide and lack of trust between front line employees and managers that I'm not sure what's effective anymore in management. Starting with the truth might be a good place.

I'm glad Tom is pissed and he should be. The very platform and foundation with which he developed strong business ideas and principles have crumbled under the weight of greed, corruption, and ego.

We haven't learned anything since the greatest modern teacher/consultant left the planet 2000 years ago. Or have we?

Posted by Scott Peters at September 3, 2009 12:29 PM

"We haven't learned anything since the greatest modern teacher/consultant left the planet 2000 years ago. Or have we?"

Brilliant observation Scott - and the answer top your question is a resounding NO.

Posted by Trevor Gay at September 3, 2009 12:35 PM

Tom was on great form in London this afternoon.
Following the review from Glasgow I was not sure what to expect. Sure he was angry about stuff we should be angry about and pounded the stage a few times, and quite right too. But it was an upbeat and inspiring Tom full of lessons from the 'blinding flash of the obvious'. Great to see Dave Wheeler's 'What do you think?' slide projected up there too.

Tom had been up to 5am this morning rewriting the pres; as ever it was the stories he recited that hit home and were memorable.

(It's all about the story...)

Posted by Ian Sanders at September 3, 2009 1:09 PM

I agree with Ian: it was a very good afternoon and I went away entertained, provoked, challenged and energised. Thanks Tom.

Posted by Mark JF at September 3, 2009 2:19 PM

Saw Tom this morning and was really energised! Many of his recitals struck home - I wish execs in my organisation had attended and had his humility and common sense approach!

Andy why shouldn't he tell his story with anger where appropriate? - he is alive and kicking, sharp and funny! An insightful coach.

Posted by SCF at September 3, 2009 2:40 PM

Cathy, if Tom were not upset because of many things going so wrong, he wouldn't be wise. I think, in my case, I want to hear about hope but I also wish to hear about the huge challenges.

The Queen has appointed Sir Martin Rees, an extremely accomplished British scientist to the Crown. To see what he thinking, go here: http://www.amazon.com/Our-Final-Hour-Scientists-Warning/dp/0465068634/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252041904&sr=1-3

I am really happy that Tom is speaking out about the good and bad. We tackle the bad to get better! It's indispensable for Tom to be himself and make public whatever he wishes.

I'd rather better news but I cannot concentrate on the UPSIDE and ignore the besieging DOWNSIDE.

Posted by Andres Agostini (Andy) at September 4, 2009 12:29 AM

I was at the Glasgow event and would basically agree with the comments from Andy. I'm also a fan of Tom but felt that the first half was delivered by someone who needed a break. It didn't energise me, but it was interesting. The second half was a series of stories using US examples (fair enough) that were aimed at reinforcing the points made in the first half. I didn't find them to be particularly original I'm afraid, and my feelings were perhaps compounded by the fact that we were given copies of a book published in 1982 on the way out.

Posted by Brian Glennie at September 7, 2009 10:54 AM

I attended the London event and would disagree with Brian's comments. Yes, Tom pointed out that, in a sense, what he had to say is all common sense. However we all know that common sense is not commonly applied. If it were, we would not have sub prime mortgages and the credit crunch! :-) So, Tom's messages are just as valuable as ever - one day we'll all realise how important it is to apply them rather than to pretend that they are lessons from an MBA course unit i.e. purely theoretical, where MBA stands for 'More Bloody Academia' - p.s. i am an academic with an MBA!

I was so captivated by the points Tom made that I produced an 'A-Z of Tom Peters' aid memoir from what was a fantastic day. I am happy to mail it to anyone who wishes to have a copy and am considering the best way to make it available once I have sent a copy to Tom himself.

Posted by Peter Cook at September 24, 2009 4:21 AM