✈️ Joe Aston’s ‘The Chairman’s Lounge’ Review: Exposing Qantas’ Corporate Failure
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✈️ Joe Aston’s ‘The Chairman’s Lounge’ Review: Exposing Qantas’ Corporate Failure

“Where was the caring in leaving children without meals? Where was the excellence in serving food unfit for purpose?”

Just off a Qantas flight that felt more “Spirit of Squeezed Sardine” than “Spirit of Australia,” I couldn’t shake the disconnect between my lived experience and the airline’s stated values of safety, caring, integrity, and excellence.

As I’ve been reading Joe Aston’s The Chairman’s Lounge, that disconnect has come into sharper focus. The book doesn’t just explain what’s gone wrong—it reveals how the pursuit of EBITDA and adjusted earnings has gradually reshaped Qantas into something unrecognisable.

My review explores the flight, the facts, and the bigger question facing all businesses:
👉 What happens when financial metrics trump human experience?

💭 Read it now on pauldobinson.com.

15 Years with Salesforce: From Bermuda to Agentforce
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15 Years with Salesforce: From Bermuda to Agentforce

I still remember the day I first encountered Salesforce, about 15 years ago. I was at Yabsta Digital in Bermuda, juggling multiple roles – admin, sales, marketing – you name it. Logging into Salesforce for the first time was a real eye-opener. Here was a tool that could actually organise client interactions and automate some…

Sausage Gate
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“Sausage Gate” And Other Gaffes: When Technology Trips Us Up”

We’ve all been there—relying on tech to guide us through a task, only to have it lead us down an unexpected (and sometimes embarrassing) path. But when you’re the Prime Minister of Britain and the autocue turns “hostages” into “sausages,” well, that’s one for the history books. Keir Starmer’s now infamous “Sausage Gate” incident may…

Boost Your Salesforce Projects: The Ultimate Guide to Partner Strategies
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Boost Your Salesforce Projects: The Ultimate Guide to Partner Strategies

As a professional who has spent over a decade immersed in the Salesforce ecosystem, frequently asked questions about strategies from customers are part and parcel of my daily routine. Whether it’s during a casual chat at a conference or in a formal consultation, the inquiry often boils down to: “What is the best strategy for…

Discover how positive sales techniques could transofrm politics
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Can Sales Techniques Help Politicians Win Voters (and Elections)?

In my lifetime career in sales, I’ve consistently been taught a golden rule: highlight the values and strengths of my own product or service and refrain from disparaging the competition. This principle not only builds trust with clients but also fosters a positive and constructive dialogue. However, when I listen to political debates in the…

From Glory to Gloom: Can Manchester United Escape the Window Sitter Trap?
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From Glory to Gloom: Can Manchester United Escape the Window Sitter Trap?

Many fans fondly remember the dominant Manchester United of yesteryear. Today, however, the club finds itself struggling. One reason often cited is the presence of high-profile players on hefty contracts who seem content to coast – much like the fascinating concept of “window sitters” in Japanese companies. Window Sitters in Japanese Culture In Japan, “window…

The Emotional Power of Giving Thanks in Business
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The Emotional Power of Giving Thanks in Business

In the fast-paced world of tech and business, we often find ourselves moving from one task to the next without taking a moment to reflect and appreciate. At Salesforce, a culture of gratitude is ingrained in our ethos, and we make it a point to say “Thank you” during our presentations and interactions. But how…

From Good to Great: The Final Push for Excellence
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From Good to Great: The Final Push for Excellence

As the football season in the UK comes to a close, there’s much to reflect upon, particularly for Arsenal fans. Mikel Arteta has taken the club on an incredible journey, transforming a team once out of European competition to one that has come agonisingly close to winning the Premier League two years in a row….

The Salesforce Ecosystem
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Unlocking Potential with the Salesforce Ecosystem: Opportunities and Innovations

Introduction to the Salesforce Ecosystem The Salesforce ecosystem represents more than just a corporate entity; it is a dynamic community built around Salesforce, the world’s leading CRM platform. With Salesforce employing around 70,000 people and boasting a market cap of a quarter trillion dollars, its scale is immense. But beyond the numbers, the ecosystem includes…

Chicken-Fried Values & Salesforce – Striking the Right Chords
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Chicken-Fried Values & Salesforce – Striking the Right Chords

Happy Friday, everyone! As the author Richard Nelson Bolles once said, “Always remember that Fridays are the golden clasp that binds the volume of the week.” For those familiar with my playlist, you know my passion for country music runs deep. Currently, “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band is getting the most plays (check it…