Nelson Mandela probably comes top of the list when people are asked with whom they would like to share a meal. That’s understandable because his life has been such an interesting and inspiring one. Historically, though, there are others who would make fascinating dinner companions if they were still alive. Think of Winston Churchill and how he inspired a nation during the war. Did he actually write his own speeches or did some civil service get him to stiffen the backbone of the British people with his immortal words, “We shall fight them on the Beaches”? If you wanted glamour at your table Princes Diana would have been the perfect guest and wouldn’t it be interesting to find out exactly what went on behind the walls of Buckingham palace?  If Bill Gates came to dinner there is no doubt but that you would have plenty of questions to ask him about how became such an entrepreneur and, perhaps more interesting, why he became such a well known philanthropist. The good hostess knows that however famous a guest may be they also have to be charismatic and reach out to people and make them feel special. That person could be John F. Kennedy but as he and most of these people cannot come perhaps it would be wiser to invite your own special friends. At least you know they will listen to your stories!

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Choosing a wedding gift can be difficult. Many couples choose to have a bridal registry with a big store which can, of course, ensure that you buy something they actually want.
If you have been asked to speak at the wedding, though, you can ensure that your gift of speech is very personal and will be treasured for life.
If you are the best much you will know about the groom but may not know much about his bride. So if you want your speech to be special the first thing to do is to do your homework. Naturally you will discover any story about the courtship but you must do more. Speak to the bride’s mother, sister or best friend and find out what she loves and hates. Ask for treasured memories of childhood. Speak to the groom’s people too and find out childhood stories and fantasies. Did they have invisible friends? Do they love The Beatles?  Did they have a teddy bear that went everywhere with them? Find out about their secret dreams and wishes and give a brilliant best man’s speech by painting a picture of the groom who ran away from home when he was five, insisted on eating beans at every meal and helps out at the local homeless shelter. Speak about his kindness and his wonderful sense of humour. Speak too about his parents and his family life. In other words know your subject and his bride.
Whether you are speaking as a father of the bride or as the mother of the groom ensure that your speech is personal and loving and shows the couple in a wonderful light. They will love you for it and they will remember your speech when the flowers are dead and the cake well eaten.

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The bookies will be out of a job
The papers will be much thinner
And what will they do on TV shows
When they cannot talk to a winner?
Sport is for all or so they say
The ratings prove it’s true
The Olympic games wooed us all
We watched as though stuck by glue.
They give their all for a nation’s pride
Though steroids and sport are the nasty side
Of what should be sport at its peak, its best
The answer to challenge, the ultimate test
Of speed and skill and heart and pace
We watched them all race by race.

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Almost everyone, it seems, is watching the athletes in China. There are, of course, those who hate sport but the Olympic Games have got most of us enthralled. We watch in fascination as nation takes on nation. We exchange views on performances and shout on our own favourites. Will they win medals or is it the taking part that really matters? It should be, of course, but there is huge pressure on the athletes to do well not only for themselves but for the pride of their own countries. Whether we like it or not the game are political too. Otherwise the athletes would not run under any flag but under their own names. Instead the national anthems are part of the prizegiving ceremony. Why?
Is it because Governments fund the training of athletes? Is it because countries are sending out their own message to the world? Do we confuse shouting on our athletes with patriotism? Just what are the benefits of the Olympics?
Some say they throw the spotlight on human rights abuses but does that have any effect? Will it change the world whether the Olympics are held or cancelled? What about the nastier side of athleticism? What about the case of the steroids and sport? What makes an athlete cheat which is totally against the whole ethos of sportsmanship?
The original Olympic Games had nothing to do with commercialism. The heroes were feted for their sporting prowess alone. They were not paid, they were truly amateur, their prize some laurel leaves. So what has happened to make the Olympics the business it is today? Would any country be prepared to send representatives who ran or swam for love of the sport and not for gain?
The questions asked are about who will be winners? Maybe a more fundamental question is are the Olympics about prestige profit and power or just simply sport?

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It’s given to very few of us to change the world. Nelson Mandela did it when he fought the scourge of apartheid. Most of us aren’t brave enough or determined enough or indeed far seeing enough to make such a sweeping change at immense cost to ourselves. We can, though, change our own little corner of the world by making it a happier place. Volunteering is one way of doing this and there are countless causes that need our involvement and our time. You might, for instance, learn to play the guitar and give hours of pleasure to hospital patients or at an old folks’ party. You could fundraise for a good cause or indeed send a donation to a charity. You might campaign for more jobs in your area or for more help for the disabled. You could visit the lonely or become a scientist who finds cures for diseases. Volunteers run marathons, climb mountains and cut off their beards in aid of good causes. They give out leaflets and knock on doors in aid of political candidates. They help train children in sports clubs and feed the starving in the third world. So whatever you choose to do you can change someone’s world simply by volunteering.

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Most of us want to be successful whether it’s in our business or our personal lives. We read articles about people who have managed it and we want to be like them. In business there are few of us who wouldn’t like to be a Henry Ford or a Bill Gates. Golfer’s dream of being another Tiger Woods and no footballer would mind being as successful as Pele… A singer might aspire to be a Bob Dylan or to form a group like the Beatles. For most of us, of course, being famous is just a dream but if you believe you can achieve success you will. How did those household names do it? Persistence, patience and passion are the secrets of success. There is no doubt too but that creativity is crucial to success. Obviously hard work and determination are factors but if you find a business mentor it’s a shortcut to success. So if you do get around to starting a business and you make a go of it always remember how much your staff has contributed and work on the basis that everyone should share in success. That way you will truly be a real achiever.

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