Building a strong community
Risk-taking
Maintaining innovation
Competing against the downturn
When he was 21, Gordon Brown won a Daily Express competition for 'A Vision of Britain in the Year 2000.' One of his first acts in office was to insist that the font for No.10 e-mails be changed from Times New Roman 12 to Arial 14.
Carlsberg Special Brew was created especially for Winston Churchill, as Denmark's thank-you for Britain's help during World War II.
The door to 10 Downing Street has no keyhole. It can only be opened from the inside.
In a study of common characteristics among Prime Ministers, Lucille Iremonger identified a childhood deprived of affection; extreme self-discipline; religious zeal; aggression, timidity and over dependence on the love of others.
The language used in the Chamber must conform to a number of rules. Past and present House of Commons Speakers have taken exception to: blackguard, coward, git, guttersnipe, hooligan, rat, swine, stool pigeon, traitor and fuck.
Briefcases are not allowed in the Chamber. The reading of newspapers, magazines and letters is also prohibited. Eating and drinking (except for discreet sips to ease the voice) is not permitted, in contrast to previous centuries when visitors observed Members sucking oranges and cracking nuts.
The police shout "Who goes home?" when the House rises. This is an invitation to Members to join together in bands to cross what were the dangerous fields between Westminster and the City, or to hire boats homeward on the Thames.
A Member wishing to raise a point of order during a division was, until 1998, required to speak with his hat on. Collapsible top hats were kept for the purpose. Snuff is still provided, at public expense, at the doorkeeper's box at the entrance to the Chamber.
After watching a motivational speaker at their management conference, travel industry delegates were asked what messages they will take away from the presentation and use to make themselves more effective leaders...
...Here are some of their answers:
"Teamwork is about being there for everyone"
"Always listen to others around you"
"To succeed you need persistence, good systems and total self-belief"
"You can't be popular all the time"
"A well prepared team can cope when the going gets tough"
"Never put your body where your mind hasn't been"
"Little things motivate and create huge positive results"
"Trust your team and learn their individual strengths and weaknesses"
"Spread responsibility so everyone contributes to the common goal"
"Keep things in perspective"
"Never give up"
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