Inspiration
What's inspiring me at the moment? Quite a lot, here are a few things for starters: NB. All external links will open in a new window.
People with great vision
The Duchess of Northumberland's dream of transforming a derelict 12-acre walled garden in the North East of England into one of the most spectacular and innovative gardens in Europe has earned her the National Award For Outstanding Contribution to Tourism at the Enjoy England Excellence Awards 2005. The quality and scale of this venture is awe-inspiring!
Website: Alnwick Garden
Companies with a passion for quality
The Botanical is one of Melbourne's top restaurants, appropriately named as it sits right next to the Melbourne Botanical Gardens in one's of the city's most stylish districts. Winner of numerous dining awards, this restaurant is lush, light-filled and luxurious. The food is inspired, the service is simply outstanding and yet the atmosphere is sassy and informal.
Website: The Botanical
Those who dare to be different
Innocent Drinks started in 1999 as a two-man-band and was recently recognised as one of the UK's fastest growing food and drink companies. The founders' passion for providing fantastic tasting healthy products for adults and kids combined with their trademark off-the-wall approach to marketing has certainly proved a winning combination. Creative thinking, determination and the ability to challenge traditional approaches, that's what I love about these kinds of entrepreneurs.
Website: Innocent Drinks
Artistic and astute
A while back I met with the Retail Manager at the Tate Modern in London to pick up a few of the secrets of their success in arts centre retailing. What did I discover? Lots of fantastic 'best practice', including staff with excellent retail sales skills and a really creative purchasing and merchandising philosophy.
Wolf Ollins, one of the country's leading brand consultancies, was appointed to develop seasonal colour palettes for the theming and display of goods and creative partnerships with great British designers such as Paul Smith have resulted in limited edition ranges of Tate Modern branded products.
This creative and energetic attitude towards 'trading' generates vital funds for the Tate.
Website: Tate Modern
