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For a decade Iworked hand in hand with Bob Seelert – as Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi andas a Publicis Board Member.  A top marketer, a top strategist, a topgolfer and a top man.

 

He celebrateshis 80^th birthday this month surrounded by the love of hislife, Sarah and a posse of upstanding kids and grandkids.

 

He remains amentor/commentator for me and reminded me of a speech he made at CambridgeUniversity a dozen years ago – a time when the world was in the throes of afinancial crisis and a recession.

 

His speech wasbased on the 94 stories he told in his great book “Start with the Answer andWork Back” which was published in May 2009.

 

Bob’s advice,11 years on, is still relevant today (KRC July 21 2022).  To quoteBob “Tough times require the absolute best in performance by greatleaders.  On an ongoing basis, the three big requirements of a leader areto set direction, to establish standards and to unleash the energy of theorganisation”.

 

Here are his 10things to do:

Get the truth out on the table.Establish standards for the new reality.Think long term; while acting short term.Communicate, communicate, communicate.Get all hands on deck.Get out with your customers.Stay true to what made you great in the firstplace.Reframe the value of your product for the newenvironment.Add/Reduce, Create/Eliminate.Set tight priorities. 

Plus ça change,plus c’est la même chose.

 

KR