Thinking published between the decisions.

The Game Is Decided in the Space Between

The board sees the decision. The team sees the action. Very few see the moment just before.

That moment, the space between what arrives and how we respond, is where the quality of everything that follows is quietly settled. Under pressure, it is also the first thing to close.

This week on The Alchemists Edge, Alan Branagh reflects on why the game is decided in the space between.

Overcome the Obstacles to Greater Performance.

To explore what this means for your business, contact us for a private confidential conversation.

Not Deciding Is Still a Decision

Not deciding is still a decision.

Every established business carries at least one decision that keeps being postponed for good reasons. A senior appointment, a market, an investment, a succession. While it waits, the business keeps moving, and the choices quietly narrow.

This week on The Alchemists Edge, Alan Branagh writes about the decision that wakes leaders at 3:48 in the morning, and why the moments that matter most are so rarely practised.

When the pressure is high. When the game has changed. When the next decisions matter.

Read the newsletter on our Insights page, or contact us for a private confidential conversation.

Why Are We Still Talking About This?

You are halfway through a meeting when something comes back onto the table that you could have sworn had already been dealt with.

When Everyone Wants an Answer and You’re Still Working Out the Question

There are moments when everyone around you seems to want an answer. The difficulty is that sometimes you are still trying to work out what the question really is.

When You Can Feel the Storm Coming and Don't Know What It Will Be

You can feel it before you can explain it. Your business is busy, customers are buying and nothing is obviously wrong. Yet you know when the effort going in is no longer producing quite the movement it once did.

The Decision That Keeps Coming Back

It came up at the last leadership meeting. There was a good discussion, several views were expressed and everyone agreed it needed to be sorted. Then the meeting ended. Nothing dramatic happens. It simply remains undecided. And undecided things have a habit of taking up considerably more space than they deserve.

When Everyone Is Busy and Nothing Is Moving

There is a point in building a successful business when something that has served you remarkably well starts to become less useful and it can be difficult to spot. Nothing is broken. The numbers may be good. You have capable people around you. Yet the decisions still come back. The interesting question is not whether what got you here was right or wrong. Clearly, much of it worked. The question is whether all of it still belongs in what comes next.

When What Got You Here Stops Working

There is a difficult moment in the life of a successful business when nothing is obviously wrong, yet something no longer feels quite right. The business is still performing, customers are buying, your people are busy, the numbers may be respectable and from the outside, there may be little reason for concern.

Every Founder Needs One Place

Success changes a business. It also changes the person carrying it.

The Decisions Nobody Else Sees

There comes a point in the life of almost every founder when the hardest part of the job is no longer building the business.

The Pressure Nobody Sees

The pressure of running a business rarely arrives in a single moment. It builds quietly. A difficult conversation is postponed. An important decision waits until tomorrow. Another responsibility finds its way back to your desk. Before long, you are awake...

Where Greater Performance Really Begins

Somewhere in your business there is a decision that refuses to leave you alone.

The Progress Nobody Sees

When people speak about progress in business, they usually speak about the things that can be measured.

The Decision Before the Decision

You may believe that the most important moment in leadership is the decision itself.

Business as Usual

Over the past few days, many of us have watched events unfold across Belfast with a mixture of sadness, disbelief and concern.

Discernment: The Leadership Competence Nobody Talks About

There is a curious paradox at the heart of modern leadership. Never before have leaders had access to so much information, so many tools, so many opinions and so many answers. Advice arrives continuously. Data is abundant. Technology promises insight at...

The Mission Stays in your Head

There is a moment in the life of many businesses when the danger is no longer loud.

The Most Dangerous Person in the Age of AI

The most dangerous person in business over the next decade will not be the leader who rejects artificial intelligence. Nor will it be the leader who embraces it enthusiastically. It will be the leader who slowly loses the discipline of thinking for...

THE ALCHEMISTS CIRCLE

YOUR PERSONAL BOARD

Why Some Leaders Never Quite Fit

Curiosity, Cliff Events and The Alchemists Among Us

AI Can Do Your Strategy. Only You Can Make the Decision.

There is a quiet shift happening in leadership.

You Already Know

You knew before the meeting, before the numbers, and before anyone else said a word. Something is not right. Nothing has failed and nothing is obviously broken, however it does not sit properly.

Clarity Before You Decide

I have learned this the hard way. It is rarely the decision that causes the problem.

Are you built for this ?

There comes a point in most businesses where the game changes and the number of moving parts increases.

When the Cost of Being Wrong Increases

Over the past few weeks something has changed.

The Roundabout You Do Not See Coming

When the pressure is high. When the game has changed. When the next decision matters.

Solitude at the Top

As your business succeeds, the nature of leadership changes.

The Weight of the Next Move

When the pressure is high When the game has changed When the next decisions matter Leadership decisions carry more weight as businesses grow. The next move may shape the future of the company, the team, and the value of what has been built.

When the Game Has Changed and You Know It

When the pressure is high. When the game has changed. When the next decisions matter. There is a point in every serious business where momentum is no longer protection. What worked before is no longer sufficient. Judgement becomes the asset

When Your Success Starts Creating Risk

Growth increases consequence. As scale increases, forgiveness decreases. What once felt like momentum can quietly become exposure. This week’s Alchemists note explores the point where success itself creates new risk — and why judgement beco

Recognition Is Not Enough

Recognition is not enough. Many leaders sense when a shift is required. Few act before momentum decides for them. That threshold determines performance. Good → Greater Greater Thinking → Greater Decisions → Greater Performance Clarity → Con

When Good Is Working and Still Not Enough

Good performance can be the hardest place to pause . When nothing is broken, yet something still needs to change. This week’s newsletter explores the early signal leaders often override, the moment between good and greater, when clarity, co

When Nothing Is Broken and Yet You Cannot Stay Here

When nothing is broken, leadership decisions become harder not easier . Many founders and CEOs reach a point where the business is performing, yet something no longer fits. This week’s Alchemists newsletter explores that moment, when judgem

Clarity Usually Arrives Before the Decision

Clarity rarely arrives at the moment of decision. It shows up earlier than that, when the day has not yet started, the noise has not yet arrived and judgement is still forming. This week’s newsletter reflects on that quieter moment many lea

When Things Are Working - Something Still Feels Off

Success does not always arrive with clarity. Sometimes the business is performing, decisions are being made, and momentum continues, yet something no longer fits. This week’s newsletter explores that moment. The space between progress and r

When Speed Stops Helping

When responsibility grows, speed can feel reassuring. Often, it comes at a cost. This week’s Alchemists note explores the moment when momentum stops helping and why judgement needs engagement before action. Read quietly.

When the Pressure Is High

Not all decisions should be made quickly. When responsibility is real, clarity matters more than pace. This week’s Alchemists note reflects on the moment before the move, where judgement forms and interference falls away. Read quietly.

THE ALCHEMIST WITHIN → PART 4

Most founders experience a plateau long before they experience failure. It is rarely operational. Rarely strategic. Almost never about motivation. It is an identity signal. Today we release Part 4 of The Alchemist Within : The Plateau Befor

THE ALCHEMIST WITHIN → PART 2

Every founder reaches a point where pressure stops feeling external and starts feeling personal. High-pressure decisions do not expose weakness. They expose the architecture behind a leader’s instinct. Every founder and CEO builds a decisio

THE ALCHEMIST WITHIN → PART 1

There is a point in every leader’s journey where their internal operating system becomes visible. Not because they slow down. But because the complexity around them speeds up. Decisions become heavier. Pressure sharpens. The margin for erro

Level 5 Solitude → The Space Where Greater Leaders Are Forged

THE SPACE THAT MOST LEADERS AVOID. THE SPACE WHERE GREATER LEADERS ARE FORMED. At The Alchemists, we see a pattern in leaders who are operating at the edge of performance. They are not overwhelmed. They are not lacking ambition. They are no

The Boy on the Touchline

Every leader has an origin story, a moment that shaped how they see pressure, performance, and purpose. For The Alchemists, it began on a muddy rugby touchline, a father, a son, and a lesson that would become the foundation, for everything

🧭 Even the Strong Need Somewhere to Practise

🔹The DNA of Greater Even the strongest leaders reach a point where the pressure is constant. It’s not weakness. It’s the weight of responsibility and proof that you’re still in the game. That’s why The Alchemists exists. 🪞 Your Practice Fie

🔶 The Space Between Pressure and Performance

Pressure isn’t the problem. It’s what happens when it stays unspoken. Leaders know this instinctively — yet most still carry it alone. That’s why Your Personal Board exists: a confidential group of peers designed to help founders and CEOs t

Sharpening the Vision

When the pressure builds at the top, clarity becomes clouded. Not from a lack of ambition, but from isolation. Every leader carries a mission. But even the best lose sight of it when the noise gets loud. That’s why vision isn’t found in sol

🧠 Experiential Neuro-AI for Leaders

When AI makes it easier than ever to get answers, the real leadership advantage is knowing how to think . At The Alchemists , we see a quiet danger emerging, leaders under pressure beginning to trust the machine more than their own mind. Th

When the Pressure Outruns the Patience

When the Pressure Outruns the Patience In leadership, speed often feels like proof of progress. But there’s a point where momentum turns to noise, where the drive to perform begins to drown out the very clarity we need most. At The Alchemis

🌳 The Story of Planting an Oak

From one acorn → a living legacy. 🌱 The greatest transformations begin with something small. An acorn in the soil. A question in the mind. A decision made under pressure. In 1996, Sir John Whitmore reminded me: “We are more like an acorn wh

🏎️ The Corner Comes Fast: 5 Musts for Staying at the Top of Your Game

🏎️ The Corner Comes Fast Business at the top feels like racing at 200mph. Every quarter is a lap. Every board meeting a corner. Every decision a pit stop that can win or lose years of progress. Formula 1 drivers train for this pressure with

Ignore the F*ckers Day

We’ve decided it’s time to make it official: 👉 Friday 19th September is the first ever “Ignore the F*ckers Day.” Why? Because every founder, CEO and entrepreneur knows those people . The ones who: Write 20 ways to say no before even trying

You’re in the Room… But Do You Belong Here?

You’re in the room… but do you belong here? Most founders and CEOs know the feeling. From the outside, success looks obvious. On the inside, it’s emptiness behind the smile. No real feedback. No straight talk. Endless second-guessing. That

If You’re the Only Engine, You’re Already Overheating.

If you’re the only engine, you’re already overheating. Founders and CEOs don’t usually break because of the market. They break because they’re carrying it all. Every decision flows through them. Every fire is theirs to put out. Every result

When Everyone Says You’re Right > That’s the Problem.

When everyone says you’re right > that’s the problem . Most founders don’t get derailed by the market. They get derailed by silence. No pushback. No challenge. Just polite nods around the table. That’s the echo chamber. And it kills clarity

You’re Not Alone. It Just Feels That Way.

“The Market Won’t Break You. 3:48 AM Will.” Most founders don’t get beaten by the market. They get beaten by 3:48 AM. Not cashflow. Not strategy. Not even the board. It’s isolation. The silence at the top that kills clarity, confidence, and

🐴 There’s a Reason Unicorns Don’t Exist (As People or Businesses)

🛑 Stop chasing unicorns. They don’t exist. Not in the wild. Not in the real world. And not in your business or your life. Yet leaders get sold the myth every day, the perfect growth story, the flawless exit, the next magical move that makes

🦊 The Fox in the Henhouse

🦊 You scaled it. You systemised it. You brought in the “right people.” And now you’re quietly wondering if you’ve just f*cked up everything that’s next. That advisor. That investor. That scaling partner who cared more about margins than mis

Freedom From. Freedom To. And the Pressure in the Space Between.

Freedom From. Freedom To. And the Pressure in the Space Between. You’ve made it. You got out. You built. You survived. You succeeded. So why does it still feel so unclear? At The Alchemists, we work with founders and CEOs who’ve earned thei

As a Founder or CEO, what if shifting to Leader as a Performance Coach was the edge that stops you f*ing up what’s next

You’ve built something real. Something good. But when you’re the one leading it, the pressure to get the next part right is intense. The questions get bigger. The stakes get higher. And the old way, being the one with all the answers, stayi

Swing… Hit : Leading in the Space Between

🏌️ Swing… Hit. > Honour the Space Between. As The Open returns to Royal Portrush, the silence will be deafening. Imagine you’re Rory McIlroy. Recently crowned in a Green Jacket after 11 years of trying. Back home. Back where it started. Bac

🧥 Are You an Empty Raincoat?

🧥 I’ve been thinking a lot about Charles Handy’s Empty Raincoat lately. Not as a business metaphor. As a mirror. There are moments in your career — maybe in your life — where everything looks right on the outside. The coat fits. The success

🎯 Your Board Has One Job.

🚨 Your Board Has One Job. But Who’s Got You? You’ve built a good business. Maybe even a great one. And as you grow, the advice is clear: “Surround yourself with a strong board. Stack it with NEDs. Get serious governance in place.” That’s no

WHY MOST PEOPLE DRAW RED FLOWERS WITH GREEN STEMS.

🎨 Why Most Leaders Still Draw Red Flowers with Green Stems ( And why we use LEGO at board level ) At The Alchemists , we don’t believe in manuals. We believe in masterpieces. But most leaders we meet have spent years being taught to colour

🎰 The Casino of Scaling

“Every decision you make is a bet on the future.” I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. Because most of the founders, CEOs, and MDs I work with aren’t just making decisions. They’re making bets. On their people. On their timing. On th

🐭 “AI: Or How the Mice Finally Got Earth to Work Properly”

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: The mice are back. And this time… they’ve upgraded. 🐭💻🌍 You thought AI was here to help you write better emails? Wrong. It’s here to finally finish the experiment they started millions of years ago, turning Earth into a gia

Leadership at the Speed of Change: Are You on the Burning Platform Yet?

🔥 You don’t always see the fire. But you do feel the heat. There’s a moment, before the decision, before the fallout, where something inside you knows: “I’m still here… but I’m not sure I should be.” Most leaders ignore it. They wait. Delay

When Fast in and Fast out Money F*cks It All: The Bootstrap debate

Putting the cat amongst the pigeons… We’ve glorified the “fast in / fast out” model for years. Raise. Scale. Exit. But what if that very formula is f*cking up the founder, the team, and the soul of the business? I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it.

The Return

You’ve changed. But the world around you didn’t pause. That’s the tension many leaders feel after doing the inner work: You’re ready to return— but this time, it has to be different. Not faster. Not louder. Just… clearer. Part 6 of the Iden

The Other One: The Business You Haven’t Built (Yet)

You already built the business. But what about the one you haven’t? The one that’s been quietly burning… > in your notebook > in your gut > in the back of your mind after a long day running the “real” one. The Other One. The one that feels

Stillness as Strategy

You’ve let go of the old identity. You’ve released the grip. You’ve named the fear. Now what? This is the moment few talk about. The stillness after the letting go. The space between no longer… and not yet. And for leaders who’ve built thei

The Inner Exit > Reinvention

We’ve been going through our own reinvention. Not a rebrand. Not a restructure. A deeper shift. Letting go of the version of The Alchemists that got us here so we can hold space for what comes next. And what we’ve found is this: The biggest

The Tension Between Letting Go and Leading On

You can feel it before you can explain it. You’ve built something real. You’ve led through the highs and lows. You’ve stayed strong when others wavered. But now the real challenge isn’t external. It’s internal. It’s the quiet tension betwee

The Mask of Competency

You’ve always been the one who knows. The one who delivers. The one people turn to when things need sorted, fixed, led. Competency built your reputation. But lately—if you’re honest—it’s become something else. A pressure. A mask. A quiet fe

I Don’t want to F* It Up! To Making It

You probably won’t say it out loud. But you feel it. Especially in the moments that matter most. There’s a moment you might recognise. It doesn’t appear in board reports or strategy decks. But it shows up in quiet pauses, late nights, and t

Why Business Owners and CEOs Should Join the Alchemists Forum in Challenging Times

Leadership in tough economic conditions is a lonely and daunting path. The weight of every decision is amplified, risks seem higher, and the pace of change is relentless. As a business owner or CEO, you are expected to provide answers, but

The Alchemists Forum 2024 Year in Review

Throughout 2024, the Alchemists Forum newsletters offered business owners and CEOs a wealth of insights, strategies, and practical tools to help them lead with purpose, build resilience, foster collaboration, and drive innovation. Each mont

A Tribute to Charles Handy: The Man Who Shaped My Thinking and the Alchemists Forum

On 13th December, the world lost one of its most profound thinkers and influential voices in the field of leadership and organisational change: Charles Handy. His passing marks the end of an era for those of us who were inspired by his idea

Carbon and Regeneration: A Business Imperative for Solving the Climate Crisis

Carbon is the foundation of life and a critical element shaping our planet’s climate and ecosystems. Yet, the excess carbon in our atmosphere and oceans—driven by human activity—has disrupted the natural balance, fuelling the climate crisis

It’s Lonely at the Top—And Arguably, It Should Be

As a business owner or CEO, you’ve likely felt it: the loneliness that comes with being at the top. It’s an undeniable reality of leadership. The decisions you make ripple through your business, your team, and your life. The responsibility

Unlock Real-Time Solutions and Build an Enduring Business with the Alchemists Forum

Running a business demands constant decision-making, clarity amidst chaos, and a relentless focus on growth. As a business owner or CEO, you often face the dual challenge of solving today’s problems while laying the groundwork for tomorrow’

Harnessing Blue and Green Minds Through Active Time Out: The Path to Sustainable High Performance

By balancing Active Stress with Active Rest , we not only enhance our performance but also nurture our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Embracing Failure and Resilience: A Guide for Male Business Owners, CEOs, and Entrepreneurs During Movember

As we enter Movember, a month dedicated to raising awareness and support for men’s health, it’s a timely moment to explore how business leaders can address not only their professional challenges but also their mental and emotional well-bein

If You Don’t Change, Nothing Will

Your Mission to Transform Yourself, Your Leadership Team, and Your Business to Embrace ESG and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Stockdale Paradox: A Crucial Mindset for Business Owners, CEOs, and Alchemists

As a business owner or CEO, navigating uncertainty and adversity is an inevitable part of leadership. To successfully lead through these challenges, one must balance two essential elements: hope for the future and a clear-eyed understanding

Leadership, Transformation, and Lessons from Success and Failure: How Harley-Davidson’s Journey Shaped My Identity as a Leader

As a business owner and CEO, leadership is a journey shaped by insights, experiences, and the people you encounter along the way. For me, one of the most transformative leadership experiences came from studying the turnaround of Harley-Davi

Embracing Dyslexia as a Business Owner and CEO: Unlocking Your Unique Performance, Confronting the Dark Side, and Finding Your Tribe

As a business owner or CEO, confronting and embracing dyslexia can be both empowering and challenging. Dyslexia, often misunderstood as a limitation, can also be a source of untapped potential and strength.

The Power, Benefits, and Unique Value of Joining a Confidential Business Peer Group specifically for Business Owners and CEO’s

Business peer groups have proven to be transformative environments for CEOs and business owners, offering collective wisdom, accountability, and support.

The Value of Having a Executive Performance Coach Like Alan Branagh: Inspired by Bill Campbell, Sir John Whitmore, and Tim Gallwey

Alan Branagh , a seasoned performance coach with over 40 years of global corporate experience, has built his coaching philosophy on lessons learned directly from two of the greatest pioneers in performance coaching: Sir John Whitmore and Ti

The Power of High Performance Coaching and Peer Groups: Unlocking Greater Performance for Business Owners and CEOs

In the world of elite sports, success hinges on more than just talent; it requires expert coaching that refines skills, enhances mental resilience, and sharpens strategic thinking. This same model of coaching, grounded in sports and busines

The Identity Shift: From Business Owner to Business Leader

The journey from being a business owner to becoming a business leader is a transformative process that requires more than just a change in title—it necessitates a profound shift in identity, mindset, and approach.

Embracing the Inner Path of Leadership: My Journey as a Business Leader Inspired by Joseph Jaworski

As a business owner and leader, I've always been driven by the pursuit of success—growth, profitability, and market leadership. But over time, I realised that true leadership involves more than just achieving external milestones.

Good to Greater: The Power of Leadership, Discipline, Dispelling the Myths and 'Your Personal Board'

In the relentless pursuit of business excellence, many leaders face the daunting task of guiding their organisations from being merely good to achieving something greater. This journey is not a sprint but a marathon, requiring not only stra

Why you as a Business Owner and CEO should 'hire' the Alchemists Forum and Alan Branagh’s Executive Coaching

As a business owner and CEO, you face unique challenges and pressures that demand more than just traditional business advice. The responsibilities on your shoulders are vast, and the decisions you make have far-reaching consequences for you

The Power of Stand Up Paddling (SUP) and SUP Surfing: Embracing the 'Blue Mind', a personal journey

There is an inexplicable serenity that envelops me each time I step onto my stand up paddleboard or catch a wave while SUP surfing. It's a profound connection to the water, a dance with nature that transcends the physical and delves into th

The High Performance Advantage: Harnessing the Power of a Quiet Mind for Business Success

The path to sustained success is often characterised by high performance and the ability to maintain a quiet, focused mind.

Embracing Environmental Transformation: A Guide for Business Owners and CEOs

As the world grapples with pressing environmental challenges, business owners and CEOs face both an obligation and an opportunity to drive meaningful change.

Why Business Owners and CEOs Should Strive to Grow Enduring Businesses: Insights from Jim Collins

Jim Collins, a preeminent author and business strategist, has profoundly influenced how we understand business success through his extensive research and landmark books, such as "Good to Great," "Built to Last," and "Great by Choice." Colli

The Business Hero's Journey: How Taking Active Time Out Transforms Leaders and Businesses

In the bustling world of high-stakes business, there was a CEO named Sarah. She was known for her relentless drive and 80-hour workweeks, and her company was growing, revenues were soaring, but something felt amiss. Stress levels were high,

Unlocking the Alchemist Within: Transformative Insights for Business Owners and CEOs

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to innovate and adapt is more crucial than ever. One of my most influential books when setting up the Alchemists Forum was Charles Handy's "The New Alchemists" which offers profoun

The Unseen Shadows: Navigating the Dark Side of Post Exit & Business Retirement

When John Michaels sold his tech company for a staggering sum, he thought he’d finally reached the pinnacle of success. He was ready for a life of relaxation, free from the constant pressures of the business world. Yet, within months, John

7 Key Principles for Male Business Owners, CEOs and Leaders to Beat Burnout

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the pressure on male leaders is immense. As a business owner or CEO, staying at the top of your game while managing stress and avoiding burnout is crucial for your health and the success of your o

Unlocking Greater Performance: Embracing Excellence Over Expansion - A Blueprint for Building an Enduring Business

In the high-stakes arena of business, the relentless chase for growth often eclipses the true essence of success. As business owners and CEOs, the prevailing wisdom pushes us toward equating success with size, valuing expansion metrics over

Unlocking Greater Performance: The Value of an Executive Performance Coach for Business Leaders

In today's fast-paced, high-stakes business environment, the demands on executives and CEOs have never been greater. The pressure to make quick, effective decisions, lead with confidence, and inspire teams can be overwhelming. Enter the exe

Your Leadership Journey from Opportunist to Alchemist

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, the most successful leaders are not just those who achieve their goals but those who transform the very environment they operate in.

'Unlocking Greater Performance & Success': 25 Compelling Reasons to Join The Alchemists Forum Business Owner & CEO Confidential Peer Group

Success often hinges on the ability to leverage the collective wisdom and support of a trusted network. Joining the Alchemists Forum Business Owner & CEO Confidential peer group isn't just a smart move; it's a strategic investment in your o

Unlocking Greater Performance and Resilience: Understanding the Chimp Paradox

Burnout has become increasingly prevalent, affecting individuals across all levels of professional success. Whether you're experiencing burnout or operating at the top of your game, understanding the principles outlined in 'The Chimp Parado

Learning from "Animal Farm": Lessons in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Business owners

As business owners and CEOs, we often seek inspiration from various sources to navigate the complexities of our roles and the ever-changing landscape of our industries.

Navigating the Challenges of Leadership: The Power of The Alchemists Forum Peer Support

As a business owner or CEO, the weight of responsibility often rests squarely on your shoulders. Key decisions, company direction, strategic clarity, and personal growth—it's a monumental task, and the burden can feel isolating.

The Enemies Within: Exploring the Dark Side of Being a Business Owner and CEO

In the dynamic world of business leadership, there exists a shadowy reality that often lurks beneath the surface: the internal challenges faced by CEOs and business owners. While the spotlight may shine on their achievements and successes,

Rethinking Rewards: Insights for CEOs and Business Owners

In the world of business, motivating employees and driving performance are critical to success. Traditionally, many CEOs and business owners have turned to rewards such as bonuses, incentives, and praise to incentivise their teams. However,

Harnessing the Power of the Alchemists Forum’s ‘Your Personal Board’: A CEO’s Secret Weapon

Each and every day, CEOs and business owners often find themselves navigating complex decisions, ethical dilemmas, and personal challenges.

The Value of an Alchemists Active Time Out for CEOs, Business Owners and their Businesses

In the fast-paced world of business, where decisions are made in the blink of an eye and strategies evolve at the speed of technology, the importance of taking an intentional pause is often underestimated.

The Power of Connection > Clarity > Confidence

Why Joining the ALCHEMISTS FORUM > Your Personal Board will Transform Your Leadership Journey.

Do you identify as a ‘business alchemist’?

All members of the Alchemists Forum identify as ‘Business Alchemists’, but what does this mean? Let’s start by outlining exactly what our chair Alan Branagh, defines as a business alchemist: "A business alchemist is an individual who posses

Coaching for Connection, Clarity & Confidence

Small group coaching can be an incredibly effective tool for both business and personal growth and development. At the Alchemists Forum, our coaching enables members to build meaningful connections, resulting in clarity and confidence. Howe

Supercharge Your Growth with High Performance Business Coaching

Gaining insight into your own growth and development can be a daunting task. It's often hard to see yourself objectively and find solutions to your own issues.

Member News: Dominic Walsh, Hospital Services Limited

Belfast and Dublin-based health technology company Hospital Services Limited (HSL), led by Alchemists Forum member, CEO Dominic Walsh, announces expansion into England with a new £1.7m East Midlands HQ.

Why adventuring could be your answer to achieving an agile, successful business

This month the Alchemists Forum had the pleasure of welcoming Neil Laughton to our in-person speaker session. Neil Laughton is a successful business entrepreneur, multiple Guinness World Record breaking adventurer and a former Royal Marine

An Audience with Russell Kelly, Managing Director, Fuelwise

In a world increasingly dominated by corporations (and wealthy individuals) owning businesses in the private sector and public utilities controlled by faceless venture capitalists, seemingly only answerable to shareholders, many employees a

The Work Life Balance Conundrum

“Work-life balance may become an antiquated term soon. Framing our work, life, interests, family, friends, and everything else we do in ‘My Lifestyle’ is a far more realistic way to view it.” Jim Collins (2020)

How to Handle an Unsolicited Offer

When an acquisition offer turns up out of the blue, knowing what to do is a huge call – and business owners need to get organised fast. The Alchemists Forum are collaborating with international specialists CapEQ to give a quick guide to und

Three Biggest Changes in Business and Leadership Coaching

Business leaders are becoming more aware that they need to see their enterprises as separate entities rather than an extension of themselves. Whether that’s because there’s just been a lot more written about “Building an enduring business”,

Business exit strategies: five ways to sell your company

Business exit strategies: five ways to sell your company The decision to sell your business is a big call – and can seem drastic and final. Outlining a vision of how and when to exit will help you with later decisions like choosing the righ

Pro and Cons of Raising Capital

The challenge of securing capital to grow a company can be both exhilarating and daunting. Get it right and those scale-up dreams are likely to come to fruition. Get it wrong and your plans can be seriously derailed. Entrepreneurs cannot es

Alchemist INside Forum - Stuart Harvey, CEO, Datactics

Datactics, a fast-growing Belfast-based tech company, providing data quality and matching software to a growing number of international banks and Government departments, has seen its team double in size over the last 18 months, creating man

Neuroscience and “8D Audio” – the key to stressbusting your business?

Stress is dominating the workplace, costing employers huge sums in absenteeism and reduced productivity, never mind the longer-term mental health implications on management teams and their staff. A 2020 ONS survey reported that mental healt

How to Acquire Businesses Successfully

M&A is notoriously difficult to get right, but increasingly is still the best option for seizing opportunities by scaling up. It’s not just why and where to acquire, but how that matters. The Alchemists Forum is collaborating with internati

Engaging Employees through Change

While change is essential to the growth and success of any organisation, it often creates fear and anxiety among a workforce. Employees who feel they have no control over the process or the impact it will have upon them can become uncoopera

Leading Change within an Organisation

Change in business is inevitable. It can happen internally or as a result of industry change, and it can be planned or reactive. Leading change within organisations is necessary for business leaders to build an enduring company and maintain

Preparing for change and anticipating the road ahead

The only constant in the world of business is the certainty of change. It is imperative as a business leader who strives for success, that you prepare for change. If you don’t, your business may just fall behind the competition who are comm

The ultimate morning routine for success

To create the levels of personal, professional, and financial success you desire, you must first dedicate time each day to becoming the person you need to be, one who is qualified and capable of consistently attracting, creating, and sustai

How the coming togetherness of people will help you reach new business heights

Over the past decade, Owen Eastwood, author of ‘Belonging - The Ancient Art of Togetherness’ has worked with some of the most elite teams and groups across the globe, including Gareth Southgate's England Football team, the Command Group of

Do I really have the time to devote to a peer group?

For many of us, the past 18 months has been an extremely challenging time on both a personal and professional level. As a an individual, you will have no doubt overcome unprecedented obstacles. However, the later part of 2021 is looking muc

Why the success of your business depends on multiple intelligences

Intelligence is one of the most talked about subjects in psychology and despite this, there is no one definition of what intelligence is. Howard Gardner, an American developmental psychologist is renowned for his theory of multiple intellig

Why we should all strive to be Alchemist Leaders

Before we delve into the power that alchemist leaders can have on the success of a business, it is important that we first consider the qualities of an alchemist.

The Alchemists Forum addresses the everyday pressures felt by CEOs and business owners

It comes as no surprise that those who ‘sit at the top’ carry a heavy load on their shoulders to ensure the smooth day to day running of a business. Although many aspire to work their way up, more often than not, the responsibility factor i

Why all business leaders and CEOs will benefit both professionally and personally from 1-2-1 coaching

As a member of the Alchemists Forum you will benefit from both the advice and learnings you take from your membership group, as well as several one – to - one executive performance coaching sessions with your chair.

The importance of psychological safety in building your successful high-performance business culture

Psychological safety is defined by Harvard Business School’s, Amy Edmondson as “a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes”.

Why embracing Virtual Communication is so important for your business

As the world’s population remains subject to the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been forced to re-think conventional methods of doing business. It is no longer viable to fly out to meet a new client, meet with colleagues in-

How to build a team that performs

Very few businesses if any, can achieve success without the support and hard work of a dedicated team. However, it is important to realise that there is a big difference between a working group of employees and a team. Working groups are co

Top five ‘headaches’ felt by Business Owners & CEOs

The Alchemists Forum’s chair, Alan Branagh has spent many years coaching, mentoring and offering advice to a diverse range of business owners and CEOs worldwide. Although their industries and specialisms differ, a constant in the lives of m

The Power of the Podcast

If you are among the many business professionals who are afraid of hearing the sound of your own voice, now is the time to get over that fear and embrace podcasts!

How Covid-19 has changed the way we are approaching business

It is no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has seriously challenged our sense of security, determination and decision making in the way we run our businesses. With rules and reason changing from day to day, now more than ever we find oursel

An Audience with… Rory Sutherland

Whether you’re an Alchemist, an Emerging Alchemist or not yet a member of the Alchemists Forum, you’re invited to ‘An Audience with Rory Sutherland’, personally hosted by your chair Alan Branagh.

Unlocking Greater Performance: Top 5 Reasons to join a Business Performance Group

As the Business Owner, CEO, MD, or leader of an organisation of any size, the isolation and loneliness that often comes with this role may seem like a small price to pay for the rewards, recognition, and power that comes with the job. Howev

Meet the Member - Dorcas Crawford, Senior Partner at Edwards & Co

What does it mean to be a member of the Alchemists Forum? It means being part of a highly supportive group of individuals who offer advice, insight and moral support for all sorts of personal and business dilemmas.

Take Time Out to Win

The Alchemists Forum chair Alan Branagh, outlines below how ‘taking time out to win’ is a highly effective business performance method for CEOs and business leaders. From experience, Alan believes that adopting this business model will driv