What the pink Cadillac taught me about strategic thinking.
What can a pink Cadillac teach us about strategic thinking? More than you’d expect. Drawing on two decades of work with founder-led businesses, this article explores how the best ideas often emerge when people are given permission to think beyond constraints. From recruitment consultants reframing business development to leaders learning how markets shift around them, it shows how practical frameworks like PESTLE and the Boston Matrix help people at every level think more strategically — and perform more effectively.
How the best leaders develop people who thrive. And why that matters more than ever.
The businesses that perform consistently are those where people know what good looks like and feel part of building it.
Why developing people deliberately has never mattered more, and what AI has to do with it.
Why winning clients isn't enough: the hidden cost of misalignment.
When different parts of a business are working from slightly different pictures, the gaps appear where clients feel them, long before the business does.
A look at what misalignment really costs, and how to fix it.
Why I built the Growth Framework®. And why it took twenty years to get here.
Denise Walker built and sold her own recruitment business, then spent twenty years working with founder-led businesses.
This is the story behind the Growth Framework® and why it exists.
Why your business still depends on you (and how to fix it).
Most founder-led businesses don't have a people problem. They have a structural one. Explore what founder dependency actually looks like, and how to fix it from the inside.
Preparing for exit: it’s never too soon.
What makes a business truly exit-ready? Following a behind-the-scenes Recruitment Industry M&A seminar hosted by David Head at Osborne Clarke, this article explores the practical realities buyers look for when assessing value and risk. From robust management information and compliance to scalable delivery models and integrated technology, the message was clear: preparing for exit starts long before you plan to sell. The businesses that command the strongest valuations are those with structure, clarity, and a single source of truth running throughout the organisation.
How can I maximise my team’s billing in tough markets?
How can I maximise my team’s billing in tough markets?
The Growth Framework®: delving deeper into the foundations of success.
Are you an ambitious leader determined to grow your business? Start today with our FREE Growth Benchmark to start you on the road to intelligent growth.
Leaders – influential inspirers or growth blockers?
Leaders literally set the scene for their organisation. So when I’m asked the secret of being inspirational, my answer is always: You!