I couldn't help but notice two contrasting management styles this week. At the Diageo finals chief executive Paul Walsh was honest and open but essentially not saying much about his plans to take over and carve up Seagram.
At a Seagram presentation on the same day things were, surprisingly, more relaxed.
The meeting began with the presenter's own (mock) cv and the question: "What have the Seagram and the Dome in common?" Answer: "They will both be dismantled by Christmas."
This was rapidly followed by a denial that if Seagram should be bought by Allied Domecq, the new company would be known as SAD UK.
Went shopping on the South Coast last weekend, to the Tesco-M&S complex at Shoreham for a change.
Both brilliant stores. But some of the staff leave a bit to be desired. Take the Tesco.
When I asked one assistant where the kosher cabinet was, he exclaimed: "What do you mean, kosher?" It was only when a slightly more senior and considerably more helpful colleague appeared that I was told: "You'll find the kosher products between the bacon and ham cabinets!"
And he wasn't joking.
On a more uplifting note, generating loyalty online for real life sales is obviously a wonderful thing. But not if you happen to be the child who dropped their little moneybag of ringpulls in Malmesbury churchyard on Monday night.
Could ringpulls become the next big trading item after Pokémon?
We can only wonder whether children fear for their safety as they walk to school with said online currency tucked into the deepest corner of their satchels.
{{COUNTERPOINT }}
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