EDITION 1050
16 DECEMBER 2024

On this day in 1773, dozens of men disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbour. The infamous protest, which became known as the Boston Tea Party, was one of several leading up to the American Revolution and independence from Britain. Ironically, Boston Tea Party is now a branded coffee chain in the UK.

So, as another week passes into the annals of history, here are 10 things which caught my attention and may have escaped yours. Please feel free to share on social media and forward to your colleagues and friends so they can also subscribe, learn and engage. I would be very grateful if you did.

Just before you dive in, remember our POTENTIAL workbook [see below] is on offer for only £99. This unique workbook will help guide your organisation to its highest potential. Contact us today to start your transformation.

William Montgomery
Editor and CEO of TEN

1. How to conduct an informal 360. The most successful leaders recognise their strengths and actively choose which ones to enhance. Achieving this requires a clear understanding of yourself. If your organisation doesn’t provide a formal 360-degree review, you can create your own by asking your colleagues these key questions: READ MORE

2. UK economy shrinks for second month in a row. The UK economy shrank for the second month in a row in October as concerns about the Budget continued to weigh on confidence. Official figures showed a 0.1% drop, despite expectations that the economy would return to growth after a fall in September. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that activity had stalled or declined with pubs, restaurants and retail among sectors reporting "weak months". The economy has grown just once over the past five months, ONS figures show. Over the three months to October, the economy expanded by 0.1%. BBC

3. Top Google searches in 2024. Google has once again published the top trending searches of the year. In the UK, the Euros was the top trending general search term in 2024, with England making it to the final of the football competition. Other popular searches included teenage darts star Luke Littler and the band Oasis, which announced a reunion tour. In France, former prime minister Michel Barnier was the most searched public figure, while in Germany, the TV series with the most queries were Maxton Hall and Fallout. The Year in Search gives us all an opportunity to reflect and remind ourselves of the moments that piqued our curiosity over the past year, on all sorts of topics for everything from film to sports. READ MORE

4. Majority of Brexit voters ‘would accept free movement’ to access single market. A majority of Britons who voted to leave the EU would now accept a return to free movement in exchange for access to the single market, according to a cross-Europe study that also found a reciprocal desire in member states for closer links with the UK. Based on polling of more than 9,000 people across the UK and the EU’s five most populous countries – Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland – in the weeks after Trump’s election win in November, the ECFR study found the strongest enthusiasm for renewed ties were in Britain. Among all UK voters, 68% of respondents would now back free movement in exchange for single market access, with 19% opposed and majority support among supporters of every party apart from Reform UK (44% of whose voters also backed the idea). The Guardian

5. Do you find Christmas stressful? The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, filled with festive decorations, family gatherings, and the joy of giving. However, for many people, it can also be a source of stress, with the pressure of gift shopping, hosting events, and managing busy schedules. We’d love to hear your perspective. How do you feel about Christmas? Is it a time of joy, stress, or a mix of both? Please share your thoughts in our latest poll. VOTE HERE

6. Cost of Christmas on the up. A rise to the cost of a Christmas dinner and an expected boost to premium food, clothing and technology purchases means this year's festive season is predicted to see an increase in spending. The cost of an average Christmas dinner for four people has gone up by 6.5% on last year to £32.57, according to retail analysts Kantar. Prices for potatoes have gone up 16.5%, while carrots have risen 15% and turkey is up 8.5%. Meanwhile, the average spend on presents and celebrations is on course to go up from £416 per person to £433, a survey of 2,000 people by consultants PwC found. Food, drink and Christmas dinner were named as the top priorities for spending by most people. Clothing was the third priority generally, but it led for under-25s. The Guardian

7. Climb stairs to lower hypertension. Short bursts of exercising can significantly lower blood pressure, research has shown. For the study, 14,000 people in five countries with an average age of 54 wore exercise trackers for 24 hours and had their blood pressure measured several times. This revealed that, although the participants spent an average of two hours walking each day, they spent only about 16 minutes in more vigorous activity, such as running, cycling or stair climbing. The team calculated that if they were to fit in an extra five minutes of this exercise a day, it would lower systolic blood pressure, the top number in a reading, by 0.68 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number, by 0.54 mmHg. An extra ten minutes would produce a clinically significant drop in diastolic blood pressure, while an additional 20 would have a meaningful effect on systolic readings. Daily Mail

8. Bitcoin soars past $100K milestone. Bitcoin has surged past $100,000 for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the world's largest cryptocurrency. The digital asset has set records again and again in recent months amid hopes that the post-election landscape will provide a more supportive regulatory environment for the overall crypto industry. Bitcoin has gained around 145% so far this year, and more than 45% since the presidential election. The cryptocurrency has also received a boost from the approval of U.S.-listed bitcoin exchange-traded funds in January, which have helped put it on the cusp of mainstream acceptance. Reuters

9. It’s a Wonderful Life. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of watching It’s a Wonderful Life at the cinema, a timeless film that beautifully illustrates how true leadership is grounded in selflessness, integrity, and a strong sense of community. George Bailey exemplifies the power of serving others, building meaningful relationships, and staying resilient in the face of adversity. His actions demonstrate that small, ethical decisions can create a ripple effect of positive impact, while fostering trust and empowerment in others. The film highlights the importance of appreciating what you have, leading with gratitude, and inspiring hope in those around you. Ultimately, it reminds leaders that their greatest legacy lies in the lives they touch and the communities they uplift. If you’ve never seen it, now might be the perfect time to start. If it’s been a while, perhaps it’s time to revisit this classic. Editor

10. The bottom line. Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees to date have a combined wealth of $9bn, making his second administration potentially 50% richer than his first one, which was itself the richest in history. Add in Elon Musk, whose appointment does not need Senate confirmation, and it jumps to $340bn. By contrast, Joe Biden’s cabinet is worth less than $120m. New York Magazine