So you say you want to buy a camel huh? One hump or two?

Just finished reading Conor Woodman's "Around the World in 80 trades".

Sudanses camels, Botswanan coffee, horses in Kyrgyzstan, blow-up bodyboards and jade from China, to Mexican Tequila or sustainably grown Brazilian Teak, Woodman's travels lead to trades of both the mundane and the bizarre, often with unexpeted results.

The book is a fine mix of entertainment, humour and education in the basic principles of economics and negotiation, and one I would definitely recommend. It is also a reminder of the many opportunities there really are if we just open our eyes and take a risk or two...

The British Channel 4 also ran series with the same title in which the author is filmed as he undertakes his above-mentioned adventures. The series is also really good and can be found on DVD.

You can find out more on the book in an interview from Channel 4 here, or get the book, audiobook or DVDs from Amazon here...

Where did all the good people go?

We speak a lot about social media and collaboration tools, but in the end these are only ways of collaborating and networking. The core has never changed, and he/she may be sitting right next to you. It's all about People !

Here are some points taken from one of the best-selling and most successful books on building relationships and selling ideas ever written: Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People"... Written almost a century ago, and still selling well today...

If it worked for Warren Buffet in earning his billions, maybe it may help you a little too...

• Never criticize, condemn or complain.

Self-criticism is extremely rare. Your criticism won't be welcome. Criticism makes others defensive and resentful. Positive Reinforcement works better.

• Become genuinely interested in other people.

People are most interested in themselves. Remember people's birthdays and other important details.

• Talk in terms of the other person's interests.

Find the interests of others and talk about those things. If you know nothing of their interests, ask intelligent questions.

• Be a good listener.

Give your exclusive attention to others. Urge others to talk about themselves. Ask pointed questions.

• Make the other person feel important.

People yearn to feel important and appreciated. Praise others' strengths and they'll strive to reinforce your opinion.

• Use Names whenever possible.

A person's name is their favourite word in any language

• Smile.

Greet others with smiles and enthusiasm. Smiling comes through even over the phone.

• If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.

Demonstrate your willingness to rationally examine the facts. If another is about to criticize you, don't let them start! A harsh self-rebuke may prompt the others to soften their critiques. Admitting errors clears guilt and everyone to move forward quickly.

• Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.

This is the most important point, and key to get what you want through others...

More points can be found at www.notesofintelligence.com, but I recommend the book or an audiobook for a more in depth view...

If you have any other tips of your own, or something to say about those above or the book itself, please feel free to comment here...

"Virgin fantasies"

Richard Branson
Just thought I'd get that part out of the way for anybody who was expecting something else from this entry.

I'm in the middle of a book entitled "business stripped bare", and I have to say that it's enough to make you cry...

It'll bring tears to your eyes if, like me, you think that the traditional, top-down (almost totalitarian really) style of business is completely archaic and belongs in a history book, not in current day-to-day business life.

How to boost innovation, improve service, motivate employees, tripple-bottom-line... the whole lot.

And the worst part of all is that the kind of stuff he says isn't rocket science, only (un)common sense.

I know where I'll be applying for my next job.

A really good read for anybody who's interested...

http://entrepreneur.virgin.com/author/richard/