Resources
For details of support available to organisations of all sizes from Mike Harris and his business partners please visit
Find Your Lightbulb Ltd
Here is a current list of the other resources Mike Harris recommends for those interested in making their ideas happen at every level.
Some are particularly entrepreneur-friendly in terms of affordability and/or an appreciation of the dynamics of building new businesses.
These recommendations are made in good faith but Mike can accept no responsibility for your use of these resources: caveat emptor!
Books
Out of the 100’s of business books Mike has read, the following are the handful that have remained on his shelf and he still consults to this day:
The Last word on Power, Tracy Goss
An intriguing glimpse into the power of world-class transformational coaching from a master of the craft
Organizing Genius, Warren Bennis
Management Guru Bennis’s inspirational description of the power and characteristics of hot teams
The Art of Innovation, Tom Kelley
Kelley is a senior executive at Ideo, arguably the most renowned design and innovation consultancy in the world. This book contains a lot of useful and practical information on their unique methodology.
Failure is not an option, Gene Kranz
However much pressure I’m under at work I always remind myself that I’ve never experienced anything like Apollo mission controller Gene Kranz when he was trying to bring astronauts back alive after the catastrophic failures in the mother ship during the Apollo 13 mission. His response to that crisis displayed extraordinary grace under pressure, and a skill and determination which is a lesson to all leaders.
The Inner Game of Tennis, Tim Gallwey
One of the best-selling non fiction books of all time - Gallwey’s 1970’s work started a coaching movement which encompasses sport, the arts and business. The power of using non-judgmental attention to stop the conscious mind getting in the way of our natural ability to learn is easily experienced on the tennis court, even by beginners.
The Inner Game of Work, Tim Gallwey
Gallwey’s wisdom applied directly to the workplace.
Mastering the Dynamics of Innovation by Professor James Utterback
The all time classic on innovation from MIT professor Jim Utterback. A master class in how innovators attack established business models, how mainstream firms respond and how the battle for dominance plays out..
Blogs
http://tomilube.blogspot.com
The day-to-day rollercoaster reality of Tom Ilube, an entrepreneur trying to build a billion dollar business from scratch. If you want to follow the progress of Garlik this is the place to look. This blog is often highly entertaining as well!
http://blog.guykawasaki.com
Guy Kawasaki is a managing director of Garage Technology Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm and a columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine. His insights and accounts are both interesting and entertaining.
http://scobleizer.com/
Robert Scoble is a former Microsoft technology evangelist .His blog has all the hot news and reviews from the heart of Silicon Valley. A must read for technology entrepreneurs.
http://www.sixhills-consulting.com/blog
Random musings on business and technology from Garlik’s data guru Andy Gueritz. One for connoisseurs of the whimsical and satirical.
Business Coaches
Tracy Goss
Renowned and masterful expert on executive reinvention and organizational transformation. She is US-based but often works in Europe. Most appropriate for existing organisations although she also does some start up work.
Gordon Starr
Top-of-the-range expert on organizational transformation, high-performance teams and leadership development, as well as a masterful executive coach specializing in top management. Client companies range from Fortune 500 to high-tech startups. US based; has worked extensively in Europe.
Rob Kendall
Great one-to-one and team coach, focused on people and companies who are facing audacious challenges. Entrepreneur friendly.
Myles Downey
Myles Downey is one of Europe’s most renowned coaches and author of ‘Effective Coaching’, a seminal text in the coaching profession. Myles has been coaching top executives for the past twenty years in Europe, Asia and across the American continent. The depth and subtlety of Myles’s coaching has led him to become known as ‘The Coach’s Coach’. He is Managing Director of The School of Coaching.
Christine Hayes
Ex-Egg executive. Skilled, empathetic coach. Entrepreneur friendly.
Customer Insight and Research
Ideo
A global company, world-renowned for design and innovation. As good as it gets when it comes to customer insight. Usually work for existing businesses but have done some start up work.
Mark Ratcliff
Highly insightful customer research expert. Entrepreneur friendly
Lawyers
Wragges
Birmingham based heavyweights. Entrepreneur friendly.
Marketing and Branding Advice
Heavenly
Impressive London branding and marketing agency. Work for large companies but also entrepreneur friendly
Mark Garwell
Expert digital marketing and website design. Entrepreneur friendly
Hurrell Moseley Dawson & Grimmer
New agency particularly sympathetic to new technology start ups.
Stef Calcraft and Partners
Mike’s top pick of the London heavyweight agencies for companies seeking to invigorate their brands with high profile campaigns
Web site design
Mark Garwell
Expert digital marketing and website design. Entrepreneur friendly
Damon Reynolds
Ex-Egg designers. Innovation and online business specialists. Entrepreneur and start-up friendly.
Amanda Wasielewski
Start-up and smaller company friendly
Presentation Design
Presentation by Design
Dr Claire Brown's affordable powerpoint presentations (or makeovers of yours) will make your pitch to potential investors stand out from the dull material they are usually condemned to sit through and really help to get your messages through.
PR
Band and Brown
Heavyweight London PR company: this extract from their web site explains why Mike like them and why they can be entrepreneur friendly
The idea behind Band & Brown is the big idea. The quest for original thought shapes much of what we do. That's partly because we enjoy it. And partly because, in today's media saturated society, only the most creative ideas connect.
Technology
Cap-Gemini
Mike’s pick of a technology partner for established companies seeking to drive innovation without being inhibited by their existing IT
Monu Ogbe at Houxou
Web Scale infra structure providers – worked with Egg and after their success with Garlik I can recommend them for small entrepreneurial companies and start-ups
Banking
Natwest
Mike’s pick of the new business advory services from the major banks. Here’s what they have to say about their service:
Realising your dream of starting your own business is one of the most rewarding but challenging things you can do. In order to succeed, planning and preparation are essential - and we are here to help. Our free face-to-face advice from a dedicated Business Manager, business planning software and online Business Guides can help get your business off to the right start.
Investors
Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures
One of Europe's biggest early stage technology VCs - be sure to read MD and co-founder Nigel Grierson's advice to would be entrepreneurs in Chapter 5 of Find Your Lightbulb before you approach them.
