Seth Godin wrote: “There’s a tendency to confuse the next big thing with the one, it, the last big thing, the end of the line … Most of the time, we’re dealing with a moment, a step in a trend.

The cash for peerages inquiry prompts me to wheel out yet again my brilliant single solution to three huge national problems: the honours system, the funding of political parties and the reform of the House of Lords.

What’s your golden rule? Back yourself! Who has been your biggest influence? My father. What is your most hated business expression?