We don’t need Prunella Scales to tell us that every little helps.  The star of the Tesco adverts would have spotted something distinctly faulty outside one of their supermarkets this week.  Shoppers queuing at a store cash-machine were delighted to find themselves receiving TWICE the amount they asked for! It really was ‘buy one get one free’, and the best news is that they get to keep it, as Tesco have announced that they will not be recouping the booty.

I was discussing cash recently at none other than Clarence House.  Courtesy of Prince Charles and Business in the Community, I found myself standing in His Royal Highness’s back garden, chatting to comedian Omid Djalili about Make Your Mark with a Tenner.   Expressing a keen interest, Omid told me that he was about to begin his stint at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, playing Fagin in Lionel Bart’s classic musical, Oliver!  I hope to find a way to involve him in next year’s challenge.  He’s currently reviewing the situation.

You’ve got to hand it to TalkTalk, they know how to spot a cunnning publicity stunt.  At a time when many of us are counting the pennies, they have hired a bunch of former PICKPOCKETS to take part in their latest scheme.  The artful dodgers are sneaking up behind unsuspectingLondoners and putting cash INTO their pockets.  Imagine the scene back at home when the penny-pinching husband pleads poverty, only for his other half to find a crisp twenty pound note nestling in his trousers.  

Julian Metcalfe knows his Pitta Pockets (sorry).  As the founder of leading food chain Pret a Manger, he doesn’t usually believe in additives.  So imagine his surprise when cheeky businessman Paul McCrudden approached him this month CHARGING him for the time spent in his sandwich shop!  Paul’s point is that his very prescence in the sarnie-centre is valuable to the retailer and that Pret should pay up.  Displaying both humour and sportsmanship, Julian did just that, even pointing out that his new-found supplier had omitted to charge him for food scoffed on the premises, and adding an extra twenty two pounds for good measure.   

All of which makes me wonder just how much of a malfunction really occurred at Tesco this week.  For a couple of thousand pounds, wouldn’t you be interested in the acres of news coverage generated by a cash machine cock-up?  In a funny way, now that we know they’re letting them keep the cash, aren’t we now fonder of Tesco as a result?  Our attention is more and more valuable.  Is it any wonder that companies are having to go to even greater lengths to invent things which are, quite literally, REMARK-ABLE.  And isn’t it wonderful  when fun-lovers engage with a big brand and the brand engages right back.

Some guests need to introduction.  And some guests get no introduction.  Such was the case at this morning’s RSA event in which leader of the British opposition, David Cameron played the unusual role of keynote listener to author Nassim Taleb.  This unexpected role will not have fazed our speaker, given that he is a master of all things unexpected.

Nassim was in town to recap the main theme of his book, The Black Swan, which is all about uncertainty.  What became increasingly clear was that whilst two and a half years ago, his message was shocking, in the wake of the financial crisis, it makes worryingly good sense. 

I’m interested in how completely unexpected things can appear from out of the blue and have massive consequences, however this isn’t just about doom and gloom.   I hope I’m not being too much of a Pollyanna when I say that at least some of these things could be positive.  Scientific breakthroughs, unexpected alliances between countries or organisations.  As David listened and Nassim spoke, I began to wonder what their advice would be on how to increase the probability of massive and unpredictable things happening, with fantastic consequences.  To turn a black swan on its head.

So many business books just aren’t worth endorsing.  So many remain unread.  When people take the time to recommend a great book, I listen.

I’ve just asked those connected to me on Twitter what their recommendations are.  Here’s a brief snapshot;

Luke Pulford recommends How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis.  An excellent choice. Although it’s one of those books which you might feel bashful about reading on the tube.  Much like the timeless classic, Dale Carnegie’s How To Win Friends and Influence People which is summarized rather neatly here.

Susan MacTavish Best, one of the greatest bringer together of great people I have ever met, points me towards this eclectic list, compiled recently by CEO of Craigslist, Jim Buckmaster.

Jonny Grubin, certainly an entrepreneur to watch from Newcastle, recommends Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus.  Another cracking tip, and one which I’m keen to pick up soon.

Tomas Jones recommends Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferazzi, who is one of the world’s leading connectors and someone whose blog I have enjoyed reading from time to time.  In return, I would encourage Tomas to check out Love is the Killer App, by Tim Sanders.  I ended up scribbling all over mine as it contains all sorts of practical advice.

Entrepreneur and founder of StyleBible Amanda Zuydervelt recommends “anything by Seth Godin”.  Great advice!  I have a couple of Seth’s books (Permission Marketing is excellent) however Amanda singles out Purple Cow for special mention.   

Finally, James Proud, founder of hot start-up GigLocator is looking forward to the release of wine guru Gary Vaynerchuk’s book, Crush It!, which is out soon in the UK, and all about cashing in on your passion. 

Thank you to all of those who recommended books.  If you have a tip, reader, please let us know!

The Accidental Billionaires is a new book which charts the rise and rise of the individuals behind the online giant Facebook.  Sarah Lacy, in her book, Once You’re Lucky, Twice You’re Good, also touches on the personal story of founder Mark Zuckerberg, who may well be the youngest self-made billionaire in history.  Following her recent visit to London, writer Sarah Lacy reflected on my rendition of certain Mary Poppins songs, wondering if ‘fun’ has a return on investment. Of course it does.  As I have now pointed out, in every job that must be done, there is an element of fun; you find the fun and, snap, the job’s a game. 

It seems that some people are getting a little hacked off about being asked whether they are on Facebook.  One of them is Nina Myskow, who came to public attention judging talent show New Faces in the 1980s.  Her technological tendencies have not moved on much since then, given that she doesn’t own a mobile phone, however this may be no bad thing.  I was invited to discuss the merits and pitfalls of Facebook with her on Jeremy Vine’s BBC Radio 2 show last week, and she seems perfectly charming.  I just won’t be poking her any time soon.

Sometimes, I just can’t believe my eyes.  Take Willard Wigan for example.  His mini, teeny tiny, micro sculptures, carved on the head of a pin or in the eye of a needle, are almost literally unbelievable.  I like to think of myself as the least cynical person you’ll meet.  I worked at Disney World for goodness sake.  Have a look at this remarkable video.  It’s amazing and I do hope it’s true.  Astonishing!  In a world crammed with the latest special effects and explosions, sometimes it’s the smallest things which impress us.  Or the most human.  Take for example this somewhat ridiculous video of a man sounding remarkably like a guitar.  It’s silly isn’t it?  But captivating.  I’ve discovered recently that three, yes three colleagues who I respect enormously are all MAGICIANS.  Wouldn’t it be good to hold an event where everybody invited onstage was actually there to showcase a hidden talent.  We could invite Nina along.  Now where did I put my pen and paper?

For the past few months, I’ve been writing a column for Growing Business Magazine which you may have spotted.  If not, here’s a taster of them below.  I’ve pasted a paragraph or two, which then links to the main piece on the Growing Business site. I  would love your feedback! 

On Status:

“I thought I might see you here.” For anyone thinking of founding a charm school, may I suggest this phrase is covered in term one, under: ‘Things not to say to someone at an event’. Why? Because it lowers your status.

There is no surprise or pleasure expressed – “I thought”, not “I hoped”. It’s also condescending, suggesting you are predictable, while implying some sort of repeat offence. Like seeing someone in a cake shop and saying: “Hello piggy, I might have known you’d be here.”

A couple of years ago, a clever company called Naked Apes taught me that business is really all about status. Every conversation you’ll have today, every meeting you’ll chair (you see, I’m trying to flatter you already), you’ll be raising or lowering your status or someone else’s.

On ‘Freecycling’ your Inbox;

One rainy Saturday night five years ago, I made my way to a friend’s birthday party in North London. Across the room I caught sight of a girl I hadn’t seen since my school days.
As luck would have it, she introduced me to her best friend, and the two of us got talking, eventually moving to the bar. A shared love of languages revealed itself and, because I was working on language start-up FriendsAbroad at the time, I presented my business card.

Two days later, I received an email and three days after that, we met for dinner. The moral of the story is about the power of following up. This networking thing really does work you know. Verity and I got married this month.

On the benefits of altruism;

I first discovered it in a downstairs loo in America. Which, I’ll grant you, isn’t as glamorous as a bejewelled cave in The Goonies.
Life’s Little Instruction Book is a pocket full of wisdom, written by a father to his son. It contains all manner of advice, from how to stop bread going stale to other, less profound insights. My favourite idea was that, once in a while, you should pay for the car behind you at a toll booth just to cheer them up. Something about this random act of kindness must have appealed to my teenage brain. I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

As a warm up question, I start with the foreign secretary. An easy one, I think, but the roomful of students stare at me, unconvinced.

“Jack Straw!” they cry.

Good, but not right. We move on and score a direct hit with Ed Balls as children’s secretary.

“What if,” I ask the guests at careers event Bright London, “the prime minister decides he’s fed up with the politicians in the cabinet? Who should he replace them with tomorrow?” This, I know at once, is a more interesting question.

“Richard Branson, Alan Sugar,” come the replies.

“What if it could be anyone, though?” I ask.

The answers start to fly: “Will Smith! Beyoncé!”

Finally, the question I’ve had in mind all along: “What about YOUR cabinet? Your special group of advisers? Who’s in, who’s out?”

For all of my columns, have a look here.