Interview with Simon Thexton

What’s your golden rule?

Surround yourself with good people and then empower them.

 

 Who has been your biggest influence? 

I couldn’t name one.  I’ve been lucky to work for a few good and diverse leaders and I’ve tried to take 1 ‘nugget’ from each of them.

 

What is your most hated business expression?

I just need to get my manager to sign that off. Sometimes too much fear of decision making can restrict R&D.

 

What’s the smartest business idea you’ve ever had?

A ‘real-time’ segmentation project we launched across numerous brands.  It managed to both streamline customer journey (reducing average call times) and increase conversion levels by focusing our stretched resources on our best prospects.  It was a digital version of ‘sizing up a customer as they walk into your store’.

 

Which leader do you admire most and why?

Bill Shankly.  For obvious personal sporting reasons, but for lots of very good reasons too.  He had a vision, looked after all the details, would change anything that helped in achieving his target and was an inspirational public speaker.

 

What’s your favourite word?

Active.

 

Tell us a secret

Quash fear of decision making by thinking through what’s the worst that can happen.  99 times from 100 that’ll lead you to making things happen quicker, and trying out more new ideas.

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