Taster: So, there were clear differences in the work cultures of the public services of the six countries in this research. It was evident that these differences were a major source of strategic risk in themselves. My "4Cs" once again came to mind: "Countries and Companies do not Compete, Cultures do"!

Taster: From ambition to achievement - supported every step of the way. Discover how our long-standing partnership with Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh Business School) helped a senior professional navigate the demands of a world-class MBA and emerge successfully.

Taster: In a world where tariffs are rising and borders are tightening, small economies cannot afford guesswork. This engagement shows how evidence-driven trade diagnostics and regional foresight can turn global pressure into national advantage.

Taster: The Cinderella Cousin of Financial Audit? For Public benefit entities, impact evaluation/"audit" can be as important, if not more crucial than financial audit. Yet, impact is unregulated and routinely underfunded. This case study illustrates some of the consequences for our clients. Serious countries would tackle the resource allocation inefficiencies caused by this systemic failure. They would easily see an uptick in social and economic "bang" for each "buck"!

Taster: Many admire Singapore and China. But I find that there is often a hidden presumption in key positions that their feat cannot be replicated. So, this assignment was of particular interest. We found that sacred cows and underwhelming ambitions were too often obstacles to national progress. Yet, with the right resolve, things can and should change!

Taster: The amazing thing about this impact evaluation was how the insights drawn from a governance project in the Global South now evidently apply to societies of the Global North that were once seen as beacons of stable governance. There will always come a generation that forgets the painful lessons of their forebears.😑

Taster: Well, there was no track record to build upon! The client was newly set-up. Their task was dauntingly wide and complex. Even the global coordination of action was in relative infancy. But we got stuck into finding out everything worth knowing about advancing the interests of Persons Living with Disabilities, nationally and globally. We do not indulge in guesswork; we are data-driven and rooted in an understanding of the economic and social contribution of our work to a sustainable society that is an honourable legacy to those coming after us...

Taster: Being a risk expert comes with headaches. Our client had favoured interventions. But our risk analysis came with RED alert on one such darling: the seed was good; but the soil was stony! So, we had to find a gentle way to break the news. As luck would have it, not long after, we were proven right. We have had this experience in multiple countries and contexts. Often, it make us rather unpopular and can even be bad for business! But that is our curse: we are in it for development impact, so we have to accept the burden of bearing unwanted news... 😑

Taster: This was a particularly refreshing client: determined to maintain their respected international profile and anxious to receive world-class, objective advice irrespective of whether it was good news or not-so-good. No "brushing inconvenient truths under the carpet" for this client.

Taster: This was a tough one! Experience had taught us that meaningful business research required complex processes that could easily lead to miscommunication with a client. So, we spent a lot of time explaining why our meticulous statistical method would lead to great business insights. It paid off! We presented our findings alongside another team that had a separate brief from the client. The difference was between night and day! The client then understood why our attention to first class research design was mission-critical.

Taster: Fast moving technology generates uncertainty in business and society. The market does not always manage uncertainty well. Mismanaged, it can lead to systemic distrust and long-term system failure. So, this job of designing fit-for-purpose regulation spoke to our reason for existence: creating better futures for all. But the best of intentions always comes up against real world interests. So, we did the best that we could and hoped that others will do their bit...Our work is never boring☺️

Taster: OK. COP30 is being held in Brazil right now, with revisionist forces gathering steam. This Case Study reminds me of our intense passion for a sustainable human engagement with Nature. Our global economic system crazily measures profit without taking account of the environmental costs of production. So, we encourage over-production and over-consumption, usually in the most powerful countries. But the costs are real! Payback is accelerating as Nature buckles under the irresponsibility and all our futures are threatened. In a small way, this assignment gave us meaning in helping communities to engage in win/win activities with nature.