Mark Knopfler inspired by Basil Bunting

26 March 2015 by in Basil Bunting and A strong song tows us, Entertainment

It would seem that art inspires art. Just as Basil Bunting, British modernist poet, took inspiration from his surroundings for his poetry, so Mark Knopfler, previously of the band Dire Straits has taken inspiration from Bunting for his new album, Tracker. Interestingly, Bunting spent the last years of his career working as a sub-editor for the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, which was where Knopfler began his career in journalism. This overlap has inspired a new song, simply titled ‘Basil’, and reflects Knopfler’s experience working alongside Bunting.

Mark Knopfler TrackerHe’s not the only one, though. Our very own Richard Burton was inspired by Bunting’s poetry to write his own biography of the poet, A Strong Song Tows Us, recently hailed as one of the best biographies ever written by Esquire, it takes the reader through Bunting’s life as well as looking at his poetry in great depth. Burton reveals that Bunting detested his job at the Evening Chronicle. When he left in August 1966, he was replaced by the journalist, Peter Stansill, who recalled his awe at being led to Bunting’s chair:

“The deputy editor steered me to the huge subs’ table, around which clustered a dozen journalists, and pointed to the vacant seat that I was to occupy for the next seven months. ‘You’re filling the chair of an officer and a gentleman,’ a neighbouring colleague announced, ‘a poet and a scholar who translates from the ancient Persian.’ I had inherited not only the chair but also the workplace effects (though not the job) of Basil Bunting, who had retired only a few days before. These included a foot rule, a copy of the house style book and thick wads of copy paper, all kept in a locker in the hallway to the printing plant.”

The last thing Bunting would have wanted to be remembered as is a ‘gentleman’.

 

7 reasons why Michael Scott is the ‘World’s Best Boss’

25 March 2015 by in Authentic leadership, Business and finance, Entertainment

Michael ScottWe love The Office (US edition) in our very own office and, as publishers of business books, it’s got us thinking about reasons that Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) is an excellent leader. Hold on, we know what you’re thinking, was he really any good at his job? He bought himself the mug that read, ‘World’s Best Boss’ and were those silly and painfully awkward seminars actually useful? Well, we’ve rewatched the series (don’t let anyone tell you that publishing’s an easy business!) and come up with seven reasons why Michael Scott is an excellent boss. Why seven? we hear you ask. Well, Bas Blekkingh’s new book, Authentic leadership is based on a seven-layer model to help readers be the best leaders they can be. Perhaps you’ll be inspired by Scott after all …

  1. Michael says early on in the series that,‘it’s about keeping the troops happy’, encouraging your workforce to get along, making the workplace an enjoyable place to be. It’s surprising that there is any work done in the office at all as Michael is keen to encourage as much team building as possible. The beach trip, in season 3 after the two branches have merged, is an excellent opportunity to encourage friendly competition between the employees. This comes into use in season 5 when the Scranton branch goes head-to-head with the rest of the Dunder Mifflin company in a volleyball tournament. Michael’s insistence that the office has parties on a regular basis allows the formation of the party-planning committee and ensures that morale is kept on a high and that the employees have something to look forward to after a long week of sales.
  2. Michael considers himself as not just a boss but a friend to all those who work in the office. After Jim leaves Scranton to move to a different branch, he meets Michael and Dwight at a paper convention. Though nobody shows up to Michael’s party in his hotel room, Michael states that after Jim left his Scranton employment, he had ‘gained a friend’. Michael also invented the Dundies, an annual awards ceremony, celebrating the achievements of the office throughout the year. Though everybody dreads going to them, Michael makes a huge effort to make sure that everyone gets an award and that the show is a success.
  3. He’s there for his employees. In season 3, Pam gets the chance to show off her art in a local gallery. No one from the office shows up apart from her boyfriend, Roy, and he is incredibly scathing about her efforts. At the eleventh hour, however, Michael makes an appearance and is genuinely impressed by her work. He offers to buy the painting she did of their office building, which hangs on the wall next to her desk until the final episode. By making an effort to support his employees, Michael becomes a great boss and made Pam feel amazing.
  4. Michael is determined to make the office a place of enlightenment so that his employees get more from their work days than just a paycheque. Though his seminars are unconventional to say the least, Michael does at least attempt to bring a wider understanding to those in the office. Some of the most memorable seminars in the conference room are the ones on equality, where Michael kisses a reluctant Oscar, race and disability. We are not in any doubt that the seminars could have benefited from better planning, but they were an attempt to bring the office together.
  5. Michael Scott might not be the greatest leader in television history but he clearly did something right to get the job as regional manager. Michael was obviously an excellent sales person and had a good feel for business. This is demonstrated when he leaves Dunder Mifflin and starts his own company, Michael Scott’s Paper Company. Though ultimately unsuccessful (perhaps due to having employed Ryan) it showed Michael’s determination to succeed in a tough business environment. Ultimately, his new company was sold to Dunder Mifflin and he got his old job back. Not bad for a renegade employee.
  6. A day in Michael’s office is never boring. Whether it be a funeral for a bird that Toby allegedly killed or Michael threatening to jump off a building to educate the workers about the dangers of depression, Michael ensured that his employees never got bored doing what they did. Remember when he took them down to the warehouse for a foam fight? Yes, most of these things were unproductive, but definitely got the employees talking and communicating together.
  7. Determined not to lay anybody off. Despite his apparent incompetence, Michael’s company actually manages to make a profit during the first few series when the merger between branches is discussed. Not only that, but Michael really cares about his employees and makes sure that he doesn’t have to fire anyone, even Creed who seems to do no work whatsoever.

We think Michael Scott is an authentic leader and we hope this blog has inspired you to be one too.

Authentic Leadership

‘Brit’ish advice for Kanye West on how not to be a twat

25 February 2015 by in Entertainment, The Diversity Dashboard

Tonight is the night of the much-anticipated Brit awards where we will be dazzled by performances by Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Kanye West. Yes, you heard us, King Douche Kanye West will be gracing our humble British shores with his presence and will be reigning at the Brit awards this year.

APTOPIX MTV Video Music Awards ShowIt’s been quite a year already for Kanye and we’re only into our second month. So far, he has launched his fashion collection at New York Fashion Week inspired by the London riots of 2011 (were they all wearing one shoe after looting Foot Locker?) he has engaged in an increasingly bitter Twitter fight started between his ex girlfriend, Amber Rose and his sister-in-law Khloe Kardashian where he essentially calls Rose out for being a ‘hoe’. Oh dear, Kanye, so much drama already. When coming to the much more reserved UK, perhaps you should be aware of the cultural differences before you go on stage tonight. Here are some helpful tips:

Do not announce to the Brit audience that your daughter is the same as Prince George. Yes, we think she is very stylish and incredibly cute but future queen of England? It’s not impossible but incredibly unlikely.

In fact, please leave your daughter at home. We would suggest leaving her somewhere you can find her, perhaps in a north westerly direction. Her tantrums at New York Fashion Week may have seemed empathetically endearing to you but in Britain, we do not encourage spoilt ungrateful young children to ruin an otherwise pleasant afternoon for grown ups. Harper Beckham proved that it is possible to be a toddler and well-behaved at fashion shows, perhaps North can take some valuable lessons from her. Alternatively, she may enjoy a visit to Hamley’s on Regent Street or the Natural History Museum but not the Brits.

Please keep your opinions to yourself. It is widely regarded that Taylor Swift is the queen of music and happiness. If she wins tonight, please do not storm the stage in protest. We are aware that you need to be noticed every five minutes or so but please leave the winners alone. If you do not agree with the results of the evening, perhaps write a letter of complaint (how very British) and we will deal with it in a timely manner in the next six to twelve months.

Understand that the world does not revolve around you. Who can forget the time that humble Kanye compared his struggles to those of Solomon Northup in 12 years a slave? We in Britain are much less fond of boasting about our achievements and prefer the art of self deprecation rather than going on and on about how good we are. We understand that you really like your friends, Beyoncé and Jay-Z (as we do too), but they don’t have to win everything. Give others a chance. Take a back seat.

Finally, there’s nothing we hate more in Britain than self-aggrandising idiots and you seem to be a master of the art of idiocy. Our best advice for you would be to get hold of a copy of The Diversity Dashboard, it’s full of easy to follow advice on communication techniques to guarantee you’ll be well received in any situation.

Diversity Dashboard order

Valentine’s Day, Game of Thrones style

13 February 2015 by in Entertainment, Game of Thrones on Business, Lifestyle

If you were not inspired by our last blog when planning your Valentine weekend, how about doing something more fantastical, magical and indulgent? Over the next few days, a pop-up restaurant in London is hosting a Game of Thrones themed feast with opulent dishes inspired by the hit TV show.

Diners can eat like King Joffrey as they feast on giant platters of regal food and sip on goblets of the finest wine. Unfortunately for most of us, this is an exclusive event with the guests drawn out of a hat. One can only imagine how atmospheric it must be to find yourself transported to King’s Landing, your servants bringing plate after plate of delicious food, all while shouting ‘off with his head’ to your council.

Cersei and JaimeHowever, if you are a massive fan of the show like we are at Infinite Ideas, why not plan your own Game of Thrones Valentine’s activities. With the fifth season only 59 days away, what could be better than a weekend spent watching your favourite episodes with your favourite person. Did you know that there is a food called a Crown Prince Squash? Well neither did we but it’s really like a green pumpkin. Why not try and get your hands on one and make a delicious, royal pie.

If you are thinking that you haven’t made any plans and things are getting a bit desperate, Infinite Ideas have come up with some tips on how NOT to spend Valentine’s day. No matter how much you love Game of Thrones, we strongly advise that you do not try the following at home (or anywhere else really):

  • Practise incest: whether it be shagging your sibling like Cersei and Jaime Lannister or feeling-up your sister on horseback, this is possibly the number one no-no when it comes to romance.
  • Get engaged to a psychopath: poor Sansa really didn’t have a choice when she became betrothed to King Joffrey but ‘when you bleed I will put a son in you’ is hardly the stuff of true love. Before you fall victim to Sansa’s fate, do a background check on anyone who seems a bit dodgy.
  • Break your vow of chastity for a woman with a dodgy northern accent: Jon Snow thought he was doing really well as aspiring leader of the Night’s Watch. That was, until he was seduced by (clearly not) northern Ygritte. She’s not worth it*, Jon, but at least she isn’t your sister!
  • Fall in love with your employer: since the very first time they met, Daenerys has put Jorah in the friend-zone with no way out. Poor man must bear the burden of his unrequited love. But as he learnt, falling in love with your boss is never a good idea.
  • Share your beau with a family member: Much like practising incest, we do not advise you to take inspiration from Renly and sleep with your wife’s brother. No judgement but perhaps you should seek enjoyment elsewhere.

If you enjoyed Infinite Ideas’ infinite wisdom, our book, Game of Thrones on Business by Tim Phillips and Rebecca Clare will also be released in 59 days’ time.


*Actually, we grew to love Ygritte despite her strange vowels. Perhaps she was worth it after all.

Pre-order Game of Thrones on Business

50 shades of great sex

11 February 2015 by in Entertainment, Lifestyle

There are only two days to go until the most anticipated film of the year is released in the cinemas. While many people have been protesting the release of 50 Shades of Grey, claiming it promotes domestic violence, others have booked up their tickets months in advance (that’s delayed gratification for you!)

One can’t help but notice the rather obvious connection between the film and its release date. Valentine’s Day is on Saturday; no doubt the production companies are hoping for a surge in ticket sales as husbands begrudgingly take their wives to the local Odeon for their annual night out together. We can’t think of anything worse than being taken on a date to a packed cinema where we watch two hours of BDSM with other couples, awkwardly checking our phones when the sex scenes begin and desperately hoping to have a normal conversation at the pub afterwards.

better sexHowever, for those of you who enjoy that sort of thing, and those who prefer a more, ahem, private Valentine’s Day, Infinite Ideas have a helpful selection of books to get you in the mood to spice up your weekend. If early reviews of the film are anything to go by you’ll find far more to titillate you here than in Sam Taylor-Johnson’s film.

Whether you’re looking for love or wanting to spice up things in the bedroom, we have something for all tastes: from Master dating to Erotic fantasies (the stacks in the library will never be the same again) or perhaps you’d like a night to yourself

If watching 50 Shades … has inspired you to commit your activities to film, then we have the book just for you: Secrets of porn star sex. This book could help you try something completely new on Valentine’s day, or, while it’s not intended as a career guide, it could help you get your dream job if you’re that way inclined. Its been tried and tested on many couples and has proven to be a real relationship booster as well as having launched the careers of three notable porn stars.*

Rather than churning out the same old kitsch-y bears with hearts rubbish (again, not our cup of tea) perhaps you can make this year’s Valentine’s Day one to remember (or forget, depending on the results of your experiment). Though we at Infinite Ideas want you to enjoy our ideas for great sex, please follow our advice with caution, be safe, and make sure you don’t lose the keys to those handcuffs.


*OK, this is what we hope the book will achieve.

The rise of the ghost (writers)

10 December 2014 by in Book publishing, Current events, Entertainment

So it has emerged that YouTube phenomenon Zoe Sugg (Zoella to her fans) did not in fact write her book, Girl Online herself. She had help from a ghost writer and the Penguin editorial team. We had bets on in the Infinite Ideas office as to whether she had employed a ghost writer and some of us (Catherine) were proved right all along.

ghost writersBut what does a ghost writer do and why is Sugg’s book causing such an uproar within the publishing and literary community? Well, quite simply, people want to believe that she is flawless, the real deal, the girl next door turned internet phenomenon who can do no wrong.

Step into any bookshop at this time of year and you will see shelves lined with autobiographies of household names hoping to be the Christmas best seller. You don’t really think that Sir Alex Ferguson sat at his desk with writer’s block for months on end agonising over how best to describe Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant do you? Of course not, he has got better things to do, like lecture at Harvard and enjoy his retirement.

A ghost writer is not a victim. They are not forced at gunpoint to write a book which will be passed on as somebody else’s and paid in magic beans before being thrown back out into the light of day. Ghost writers understand the writing and editorial process and, often, get compensated generously by the publishers and the celebrities they write for.

It’s also an incredibly top secret affair. Most ghost writers have to sign contracts stating that they are not allowed to reveal themselves as the author of various works. They live like spies on the edge of society, among us but not really one of us. Not really though, many of them lead happy and fulfilling lives.

Perhaps some people will be disappointed that ‘role model’ Zoe Sugg was not the sole creator of her debut novel but her sales record will disagree with most of the sceptics. Such was they hype around the publication that signings were conducted in secret and had to be ticketed. This debacle has highlighted the importance of branding in a competitive publishing world. Did fans buy the book because they were interested in the story, or did they buy it simply because it was an extension of the brand they worship? There’s a reason that Jamie Oliver has been Christmas number one in bookshops for the last sixteen years and this trend seems to show no sign of slowing down. Kudos to Penguin, you’ve got great PR style.