Today’s paper has an article about a BBC executive who killed herself due; we’re told, to pressure. Unfortunately pressure is a part of the package these days.

Credit where its due. This experience deserves a pat on the back.

I realise this Blog follows hard behind my last, but you can’t dictate when the need arises!

I am spending more time on Project management these days, along with fundraising for some clients keen to move their business’s forward.

I noticed with interest an advert for one of four Admission Managers that are required for Edinburgh Castle. The Castle is arguably what visitors think of first when they think of Scotland, and this icon attracts over 1.2 million visitors a year. The Castle has new Visitor Reception facilities opening in 2008, and whilst the advert says the post-holder must ensure that a World Class Service is offered to its visitors the emphasis in the advert is "heavily focused on delivering very demanding sales targets through a new and innovative pricing strategy".

I know the world is driven by profit, but if you get the Customer Service Delivery right in the first place the profits will follow. Making sure you squeeze the last Dollar and Yen from your visitor really isn't the answer. Treat them right, and fairly. Have the Front-line troops trained, capture your visitor's loyalty and don't put such a squeeze on your Managers that they have no other concept in their minds other than profit.