The mystery of the missing umbrella – idea validation

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On November 26, 2018

Not all ideas make good businesses. One of the most important tasks to undertake in any start-up or established company going into a new venture is validating your market. The sharing economy has disrupted the taxi industry, the accommodation sector and is now being applied to other verticals, some with more success than others. A […]

What it takes to be an entrepreneur – myth busting!

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On October 29, 2018

The world of entrepreneurship and start-ups is one of excitement, achievement and… disappointment. Comments are often passed as to how ‘lucky’ we are as entrepreneurs; we have financial freedom, mobility and are in control of our own destinies. The reality is the smarter we work, the luckier we become! The most important attributes of any […]

Going Global – the good, the bad and the ugly

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On October 21, 2018

Deciding to take your business global is courageous, challenging and at times can seem outright foolish. I was recently invited by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to participate in a round table discussion. The panel was formed to challenge the status quo, identify consistent themes and challenges that New Zealand technology companies face when […]

How not to offend a Texan: Business Etiquette 101

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On September 20, 2018

Every culture has it’s subtle nuances and peculiarities. Citrus Tree Consulting works with companies and their customers throughout the world in many cultures and locations. Business etiquette is an integral part of business culture. It encompasses the accepted code of thoughtful behaviour in various societies. Being aware of the prescriptive elements of culture can help […]

Failing your way to business success

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On August 20, 2018

Failure. It’s painful, it hurts, and it’s also a very important part of life. In business, failure is necessary to grow and prosper. I have failed more times than I’ve succeeded. Some of these weren’t small failures, they were the kind that put my businesses and finances on the edge. On more than one occasion, […]

Joe Parker and me: we’re not that different!

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On July 26, 2018

I recently had the privilege of meeting boxer Joseph (Joe) Parker. During our time together, we discussed his upcoming bouts and ambitions. What surprised me were the parallels between his discipline and mine, and what constitutes success. By way of background, Joe was born in 1992 and is a New Zealand professional boxer. Joe held […]

London Calling – and how to answer

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On July 24, 2018

Several months ago I wrote a blog on the ten things you need to know when setting up a business in the United Kingdom. In this article I’ll delve a little deeper and focus on the legal frameworks and commitments required to be successful in the UK. London is now recognised as the FinTech capital […]

Six key lessons on founding businesses in the USA

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On June 27, 2018

Founding a business is never easy. Navigating your way through the administrative and bureaucratic process can be cumbersome and daunting. There are common misconceptions and traps to be aware of when setting up a business in the United States of America. You can make it big in America, you can also fail big. Based on […]

A view from Big Ben – London’s tech scene

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On June 18, 2018

London is one of the world’s leading technology cities and is known as the global capital of innovation. There are more European company headquarters in London than in any other European city, giving young start-ups unbeatable access to major international contracts and projects. London is also the world’s number one financial centre. This great city […]

Hacks for the business traveller

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On May 29, 2018

There is a perception that business travel is glamorous and glitzy with endless networking events where the champagne is flowing and the canapes come with caviar. The reality is long flights, a nomadic lifestyle and hard graft. Networking to ensure you’re working at your peak performance is often fuelled on club sandwiches and warm beer. […]

Sales Prospecting – how to pan for gold

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On April 23, 2018

The singer Meatloaf famously sang, “You’ll never find your gold on a sandy beach, you’ll never drill for oil on a city street…” Although Meatloaf was singing about true love, these lyrics can also be applied to sales prospecting. There’s a simple reason ‘prospecting’ is a term used amongst treasure hunters and sales executives alike. […]

2018 FinTech Outlook

Posted by Graham Dockrill
On March 24, 2018

2017 was a record-breaking year for FinTech (Financial Technology) in London and 2018 promises to deliver plenty more of the same. Globally, $16.6 billion USD was invested in FinTech in 2017, a new annual record. That cash went to the more than 5,000 FinTech businesses operating today throughout the world. Among them are 25 organisations […]

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