☀️ On Saturday at 4:59am, I joined about 100 others on the beach in Swanage, Dorset to witness the summer solstice.

There’s something truly special about pausing our busy lives to connect with nature at its most awe-inspiring.

Interesting times. Interesting events. Interesting challenges.

It’s probably best I don’t comment. But I’m delighted to say that Justin Urquhart-Stewart, expert market commentator and BBC regular, will be joining me tonight on Monday Night Live for his quarterly update.

We’ll dig into what’s really happening beneath the noise.Click Here to register.

Stop Leaving Money on the Table:

Two Costly Negotiation Mistakes

🧠 Stop Leaving Money on the Table: Two Costly Negotiation Mistakes. How much is poor negotiation costing your company or even you?

Even experienced professionals make these two simple, but expensive, mistakes:

1. Splitting the difference without pausing to reassess the situation or explore alternatives.
2. Pricing (or discounting) in round numbers, which sends the wrong signal and often leaves money on the table.

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EXCLUSIVE - Justin Urquhart-Stewart - monthly white paper for our Monday Morning Briefing Article

🔍 Headline Insight:

In a world overloaded with headlines, hype, and populist noise, confidence is key — but easily shaken. The solution? Think big but act small.

UK Economic Outlook

• The Chancellor has yet to instil real confidence post-Truss.
• Growth could come from investing in technology hubs and regional infrastructure — but must be supported by decentralised decision-making, not Whitehall control.
• There is money available for investment — but confidence, not cash, is the missing catalyst.

Click Here to read the full article.

🎤 Speaking • Presenting • Influencing

When I wrote my first book, "Presenting Phenomenally", I assumed people would at least prepare for their presentations.

But judging by the rising number of recent “gaffs,” that assumption may have been optimistic.

This week’s example of a "car crash interview" is Nick Ferrari’s interview with Treasury Minister Emma Reynolds. It’s gone viral for all the wrong reasons.

Researching the facts on the internet. I learned this in 60 Seconds:-

1️⃣ Nick Ferrari is a formidable interviewer — known for relentless fact-checking, staying on point, and exposing weakness.

2️⃣ Advice to interviewees on the internet before going on with Ferrari: 

Be prepared. He’ll call you out on vagueness, waffle, or poor preparation.

3️⃣ Emma Reynolds’errors

• Didn’t know the cost of the Dartford crossing
• Confused Dartford with Dartmouth, a huge geographical error
• She had no idea where the project started or finished or the cost
• Looked completely unprepared, scrambling to look at poorly organised notes

And this from a Minister with huge responsibilities in the UK for Finance, Pensions, Fintech, and City Engagement...

Click Here to take a look.

I hope you have a brilliant week. Thank you for READING and please share this briefing with others.



📱 If you're reading this on your phone, please scroll down — the briefing continues below due to the format I use at present.



With best wishes,

Derek

www.derekarden.com

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