International SOS is the world’s leading international healthcare, medical and security assistance, and concierge services company. The highly entrepreneurial and evolutionary company was seeking to release significant business potential in the insurance portfolio, to create direct customers from the current end users. The business needed to create a complimentary working model, which ensured the current insurance clients were kept on side, while relationships with the end users were developed to create new business opportunities.

Neuroscience research demonstrates to us that we absorb more information (learn) from birth to the age of 14 than we do for the rest of our lives. The more we think we know, the more it limits our ability to learn.

Research also establishes that innovative and creative thinking is far more prevalent in children than it is in adults (just listen to the stories they come up with?). Given a simple puzzle, children will usually through creative thinking find a solution quicker than their parents. There is no ‘box’ to think outside of – they just think without limitation.

In tough economic times how is it that some companies not only hold their own but actually grow, while others struggle or even go under?

Working with numerous corporate leaders and managers across a variety of business sectors in recent years, we have found that genuine leadership of company teams is the key to survival and growth.

True leaders come into their own when trading conditions are most challenging. Such leaders put their own ego aside to inspire cohesive teams that relish taking collective responsibility. Motivated by the right leader, energised teams will work together to achieve specific outcomes and react quickly to grow market share and add value no matter how tough the market might be.

Alex Morgan explores the value of Leadership Coaching, now widely recognised as an essential business tool leading to increased efficiency and sales, and discusses what to look for in a great Leadership Coach.