Welcome to the Kent pages hopefully in these pages you will find everything you need to know about the activities of the IoD Kent Branch. If you have any queries or would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact the branch on 01795 435918 or e-mail IoD Kent
YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY.
Bad luck, like busses they say, comes along in threes. For the coalition government, it has been much worse than that. From Jerry cans to granny tax, from philanthropists alleged tax avoidance schemes through to understaffing at the UK Border Agency over the Easter holiday, Mr Cameron et al have had a pretty rough time of it. And when I say et al I think the Chancellor has perhaps fared worse than anyone in the political gaffes stakes.
You would think with all the budget that the government has to throw at public relations, marketing and damage limitation, that they would sail through these minor squalls like a catamaran in the Med, but events of late have taken on Titanic proportions. Even Mrs Thatcher did not see the fully submerged iceberg known as the poll tax and it almost sunk her government.
It is of course rather easy for us to sit in our ringside seats and jeer at the combatants in this political arm wrestling with the media. Like those South London ladies who once ranted from the side-lines at Lewisham Town Hall when Kent Walton used to commentate as World of Sport came to its inevitable conclusion every Saturday afternoon from four o’clock onwards in the 1970’s, we pontificate on how things ought to have been handled as if we all had a degree in media studies. It has become the guillotine of modern life, as we - knitting or perhaps gorging on cake (oh yes Marie Antoinette, please let us have cake) delight in watching ever-more political heads fall into the bucket of shame.
Bad luck indeed. But what of good luck? Some politicians seem to glide through life on a sea of popularity and like Ronald Reagan the Teflon President – nothing seems to stick. Not so Bill Clinton but let’s not go there lest we end up discussing dry cleaning bills. Luck has been wonderfully defined as when preparation meets opportunity – which is whole lot different to just being opportunistic. When challenged by the American media with the assertion that he was a lucky golfer, Gary player is said to have declaimed in riposte, ‘yes, and the harder I practice – the luckier I get.’
I have no advice to give the coalition. Sometimes I get lucky and say just the right thing at the right time. Other times I get it all wrong. I suppose it is this failure of humanity that reminds each of us – even the greatest – that we are but men and women and that when we do enjoy success in life or business, is it’s a cocktail of random circumstances - hard work, coincidences, relationships, other peoples misfortunes – all shaken together to bring us a personal happy outcome.
Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson once asked ‘Have you ever noticed how we only win the World Cup under a Labour government?’ I imagine that Mr Cameron will be hoping that London 2012 brings the same reflected glory after a truly miserable public relations springtime.
David PhilpottChairman IoD Kent Branch
WK Budget Report 2012
Kent Branch Newsletter Spring 2012
Kent Branch Newsletter Winter 2011
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A note of thanks to all of our Marketing Partners for their continued support, they ensure we all get such great value from our events and support the activities of the IoD in Kent: The KM Group, Wilkins Kennedy, Warners Solicitors and Maxim. Also our Associate Marketing Partners: Kent Science Park, Ansacom and Flo-Print Colour Ltd.
We are proud to be working with these outstanding Kent Businesses and all of our members who take such an active role in the IoD and make it the most successful, vibrant and thriving business community in Kent.
KAYE is an IoD Kent Branch initiative aimed at providing networking, information and support for young entrepreneurs. Whether you are a young professional looking to climb the corporate ladder or thinking of setting up your own business then KAYE is the organisation for you. Click here for more information.
This is Kent's preimier awards scheme to recognise and reward excellence in Kent's businesses. We are delighted to be judging one of the categories 'The Entrepreneur of the year award'. By entering KEiBA there can be no better way to reflect on your success, measure your performance, gain positive PR, differentiate your business from its competitors and celebrateyour achievements. Click here for more information and find out how to enter.
As a member you are automatically assigned a branch and encouraged to give your views on local issues and take advantage of networking opportunities in your area. All members are welcome to attend events at any branch.
Debbie Cameron