Flying somewhere, after a day business trip to Zurich on Tuesday, had limited appeal although the prices to NYC did make me consider it. Instead I opted for a more traditional and romantic adventure. The Great Western Night Riviera sleeper to Penzance. Since it does not depart until 2345 I would have plenty of time to finish up work, relax, have dinner, shower and then make the five minute journey from home to Paddington Station.

In my mind there were a couple of thoughts which led me to believe this was going to be fun. Firstly, it’s always good to pack for a different journey – the sleeper called for fresh pyjamas, a new book (‘You are not so smart’ by David McRaney – I never even cracked the spine it turned out), a small thermos (bought in Japan so the perfect size) filled with coffee and of course some midnight snacks. Secondly, Paddington Station really means only one thing usually, the start or the end of a journey which includes Heathrow Airport. Lastly, falling asleep in London and wakening up to the sights, sounds and smells of the extreme south-west coast of Britain seemed like a good contrast.

And so to sleep. Well not quite yet. You can access your berth from 2230 so I made myself comfortable, a steward takes you through everything along with your breakfast order and wake-up time. After that I went along to the lounge car for a glass of wine and a catch up of the newspapers. Such was my level of relaxation I barely registered the train starting to pull out Paddington.

Back to my compartment (the steward unlocks it for you), on with the PJs and then I settled down for some episodes of Modern Family (genius show) which were playing on the entertainment system. Midway through the 2nd one I fell asleep and only wakened the train rolled to a halt at Reading where we waited some time. (NB the overnight journey takes just over 8 hours whilst the normal day time journey – which I’m on back to London as I write this – takes about 5.5 hours, so you can appreciate the pace is moderate to ensure a longer, better sleep.)

Cozy, snug, secure and with a surprisingly comfortable bed and pillows. It’s designed for sleep.

At Reading I opened the window blind and kept it open for the remainder of the journey ensuring that the compartment would be filled with fleeting light and make the journey seem all the more real. That said I was soon back to sleep and did not waken again until just after 6. A dozed a little more until my fresh coffee and bacon roll arrived at 6.50am, exactly as requested. By now the gloom outside had turned brighter and very rural.

Finally up and dressed as we pulled into Penzance exactly on schedule at 0753. As expected and hoped I could smell the salt tang and hear the seagulls as I walked the short distance to the seashore and got my feet wet.

A couple of hours of exploration and breakfast later I’m back on the train marvelling at the journey in daylight back to London.

Without doubt the journey was the largest part of the fun. Sleeping AND moving just seems like the most efficient thing to do. But it has also whetted my appetite for a long weekend in Cornwall. And that’s the problem with travel it just fuels the desire for more……..

One of my fellow diners remarked that sometimes working life felt like being on a rocking horse – no matter how much you moved, grabbed those reigns, rocked back and forth, even whipped your ‘horse’ you never moved. We all laughed at the analogy – a grain of truth in there for all of us. But a wiser head prevailed. We had, of course missed the point, it’s not about how much the “horse” moves it is about how much fun we are having on the “ride”.

We are obsessed about the destination when the journey passes us by and that is a big mistake.

The trick is to make sure you are on a rocking horse that you enjoy. Then the rest is simple – ride it and ride it hard. You MAY go somewhere but your will CERTAINLY have fun.

Sir Richard Branson may occasionally grate but you cannot deny that he has an ability to BRAND like nobody else. This ad, for Virgin Money, dips deep into the well of the Virgin properties, even those which have not carried a fare paying passenger yet ! It works. Enjoy. Oh and turn up the volume.

The perfect Gibson and Jamon in the Dry Martini Bar

The roof of the Hotel Barcelona Catedral

TOPLINE – I had a great time. The only frustration being the sense of overwhelming opportunity for exploration and not enough time.

On the flight over I made the decision to purchase the “Barcelona Card” which, for €29 covered the train ride from and back to the airport, all my travel within the city and a number of free or reduced rate entries. These cards often represent great value for money and this one was no exception. Just be careful you time the train ride between the airport and the city. At the weekend there were long intervals between the service.

For my one night’s accommodation I opted for the Hotel Barcelona Catedral and I am glad that I did. In the heart of the city it was the perfect anchor point for the weekend and offered a very relaxing, clean and efficient place to sleep (and nap !).

After the obligatory visit to the Temple de La Sagrada Famillia, every bit as striking in real life, I headed up to the Castell de Montjuic. It’s required practice when visiting a city for the first time that you attempt to get as high as you can (as in altitude) to get an efficient understanding of the topography and geography.

The rest of Saturday was spent “promenading” on La Ramblas along with the rest of Barcelona finishing up with a couple of cocktails and tapas at the Dry Martini – superb mixology and a great vibe.

Sunday saw me spend an illuminating time in the Picasso Museum and my first use of an audio tour. I’ve always been skeptical but really found the narration helpful. I then ‘stumbled’ upon the DHUB – Disseny Hub Barcelona. A centre for “promoting the knowledge, understanding and good practice of the design world” – they had a good exhibition called “The Senses of Machines” – since it’s being going since June 2011 I was the only visitor so, with no risk of embarrassment, took part in all the interaction exhibits !

To be honest ‘stumbling’ was something you do rather a lot of in Barcelona. Try as I might to stick to a rigid timetable I found that the best thing to do was to let go and enjoy what the City had to offer. This often meant doing something very different from the plan especially when it came to eating and drinking. I would never have found Lilpep had I even known of its existence but I walked past it, continued on for 100 metres or so and then doubled back thinking this was a serendipitous find. It was.

And after that it was time to head back to the airport. 30 hours of bliss – box checked.

http://www.barcelonacatedral.com/en/

http://barcelona.unlike.net/locations/307175-Lilipep

http://www.drymartinibcn.com/

PS The only downside appears to be theft. You really must be vigilant at all times and, if possible, minimise carrying anything of value. For example, on Sunday morning whilst having a coffee two young boys were visiting tables clutching what I assume were sponsorship forms mounted on card. Whilst both pleaded with me I noticed that one had laid his card over the table and his other hand was moving my iPhone off the table. Luckily I was able to place my hand firmly over the phone as I told them to go away. Undeterred they did the same manoeuvre on another table with the victim having to jump off her seat to snatch her phone back. I’m sure this is not unique to Barcelona but it does seem to be prevalent. My travel advice here is if you are not conscious you COULD be a victim of crime, you probably ARE a victim of crime.

Now I’ve fallen in love.

The generous giver had a basic B&W model and an ‘all-singing, all-dancing’ colour version. The choice was mine and the decision was easy. The basic model won hands down.

It’s all to do with my often stated belief that digital convergence will always have limits. Convergence means compromise. Sometimes that is a good thing but when it comes to full immersion into a book in the digital environment then simple works best for me. I’ve tried and failed with my iPad. The iPad is a perfect medium for reading the newspaper (perhaps something to do with short, sharp snatches), fine for magazines but for me it is virtually impossible to ‘lose myself’ in a book. Too many distractions and a screen which all too quickly tires out the eyes.

The Nook is a world apart. If it’s possible to be lo-tech whilst being hi-tech this is it. Simple to operate, a battery life which would appear to never need charged, a screen which mimics a book and, once placed inside a neat cover – I chose one designed by Jonathan Adler – it even feels like a book.

The irony is that the motivation for this (if I had not inherited I would have bought) was giving Walter Issacson’s biography of Steve Jobs to people as a Christmas present and resisting the urge to buy the weighty tome myself. Problem now solved.

I suspect, however, that the Nook may become the dominant way I consume books but I am still going to buy the physical book. A library is important and the tactility of paper will never grow old.

Single class, business carriers in the shape of Maxjet and Silverjet came…and went, unable to offer a wider network or service.

And then in 2010 BA launched a new service from London City Airport (LCY) to JFK based on an, optimised for steep take offs and landings, Airbus 318. Only 32 seats and a twist on their Club World service – the outward journey includes a refuelling stop in Shannon, Ireland (the runway at LCY is too short for the fully laden plane to take off) and a helpful completion of US immigration and customs formalities so you land at JFK as a ‘domestic’ passenger – so the time lost is a wash.

On the return journey no stop is required and it is that journey I embarked upon on Tuesday evening as I headed back from New Year in New York. There are two flights a day in each direction and all are romantically given the old Concorde flight designations – so I was on BA 004. The nod to Concorde continues with boarding from Gate 1 which runs straight off the JFK Concorde Lounge corridor. A boarding which, begins only 15 minutes before push-back. Yes, that’s right 15 minutes.

Despite being only a single aisle plane it does not feel cramped and this is the scene (BA picture library) that greets you.

32 seats over eight rows and that’s it. You can see why boarding is such a quick and efficient process. That, combined with the fact that it tends to be an exclusively business clientle with no children, surplus luggage etc.

We were pushing back before I had come anywhere close to draining my Champagne glass and the flight attendant did really have to pry it out of my hands as we got to the runway.

The on-board ambience is more akin to being upstairs in the 747 ‘bubble’ and in many respects there are stong comparisons with that experience. I’ve always thought that Club World in the bubble is a better environment than in First Class on the main deck but I digress.

The interior design of the plane is simple and elegant and, with all seats facing in the same direction, does not have the same visual disruption as Club World seating on the 767, 747 and 777. I was in seat 1K, the window seat, which is pictured below (BA picture library) and despite the flight being almost full I had no one next to me.

The seat is an improvement on the current flat-bed seat with two power sockets, a great reading light and a much more ‘cocooned’ experience. Inflight entertainment is centered on an iPad which comes in a leather case all fully loaded with similar content as on the standard system. Combined with a good pair of supplied noise cancelling headphones the set-up was a big improvement on the fixed system. Allowing you to adopt the position that suited you.

I dined (a little) in the lounge prior to boarding and then again on-board but the service is so much faster than the usual so, within an hour of take off I had wined, dined and settled down for a sleep which was broken only by a shake of the shoulder as I had asked to be wakened for a bacon roll – you can opt for a cold breakfast and stay asleep until 20 minutes before landing.

I should add there was a total lack of galley clanking and bright lights throughout the flight – regular fliers will know what I am talking about.

Landing at LCY is a treat in itself. As we were advised a few minutes before touchdown there would be some ‘sporting braking’ and you do feel the anchors being thrown out of the back ! Within minutes you are walking off the plane (always a great experience) down the steps and I could not resist taking this picture myself.

It took 30 seconds to clear UK Border and I had my bag and was walking onto the Dockland Light Railway train 10 minutes after.

It’s superfluous to say I enjoyed the experience, but I will. It was a refreshing return to a more intimate, less jarring way of travelling and I would be very happy to make this my regular way to cross The Atlantic.

British Airways deserve a lot of credit for launching this route in the depths of a global downturn and to keep at it. If my flight is an indication it seems to be succeeding. However I hope their imagination does not end there – running this configuration out of LHR (using one of the soon to be acquired BMI slots) perhaps as First Class only could be a very interesting proposition. Being one of the few in a plane with fewer seats is certainly a more reliable and enjoyable experience than being one of the few at the front of a very, very large and busy bus !

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 7,600 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

(1) When food presents itself. Consume. You never know when you will next get the opportunity.

(2) When an alcoholic beverage presents itself. See (1).

(3) Develop a routine (loosen belt, remove watch, put on a comfy sweater) prior to sleeping on night flights. Performing a routine which you know helps you sleeps ensures that you do. Oh and see (2).

(4) The more reading material and other media you have with you onboard the less you will need it. The opposite is true.

(5) Adjust your watch to the destination time the minute it’s obvious you are going to take off. Only think of the time zone you are heading into.

(6) Stay on top of your workload but resist the temptation to answer every email. Prioritize and then use any spare time to explore the destination. If all you have done is see an airport, a hotel room and a meeting room you’ve failed.

(7) Always have destination currency on you before you arrive. It means you are ready for anything. It also shows class to be able to tip without the need to deploy a lame excuse. Second best option is to always have a stack of one dollar US Bills.

(8) Always unpack your case at EVERY destination. Even if just for one night. Avoids the feeling that you are ‘living out of a suitcase’ and it’s better for your clothes. Also place everything on hangers, turn the shower up as hot it will got, switch the light off (to deactivate the air extraction) and steam your clothes for 15 minutes. Wrinkles gone and the steam cleans as well.

(9) If you are determined to travel light and only allow one shirt per day and you have full on days and business at night then schedule time for a 30 minute pitstop before evening drinks. You shower and change your shirt then. Air the shirt overnight and you can wear it again. Meanwhile you give the appearance of wearing two shirts a day without having to overpack or risk hotel laundry.

(10) Remember that good deeds pay off in travel karma credits. If you can help a fellow traveller then do so.

And that’s it for 2011.

Such was my shared disbelief I went back to the original article and quotes from the report author, David Thorp. (When I get a moment I shall link to the original sources).

I’m with Ritson on this one. The premise is just wrong. Sales and Marketing are vastly different areas of a business rightly attracting people of very different skill sets. Both have a common purpose, the commercial success of the organisation, but with differentiated deliverables. Their coordination should be seamless but the Marketing and Sales dynamic is an essential one to ensure that the mix of short, medium and long term priorities is correct. That’s something that a management team must do. Weighing the arguments, judging the situation. It should not be a dilemma that resides on one desk alone.

I’ve been lucky to work in organisations with both a marketing savvy commercial director and a commercially aware marketing director. It was the perfect blend. However that’s a million miles away from one person doing both !

Sales and Marketing, the twin titans of the business, supporting commercial growth, building brands and safeguarding the future. That requires focus and, yes sometimes tension, but with the right strategic vision both coexist and deliver – the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts.

It’s just bizarre that an institute charged with nourishing a profession seems to be downgrading it’s important. Turkeys voting for an early Christmas indeed !

Another profit warning comes as no surprise to anyone who has walked into their local branch of Tesco these last few months. Piled high, though out the store, half price boxes of chocolate as gaudy as they are cheap.

Quite simply a brand utterly stripped of any of it’s original DNA. A stark warning to the dangers of following a “mass premium” strategy without the usual safeguards. Too many own stores, not enough niche innovation and a growth strategy that grew share in the short term but destroyed equity in the longer term.

Unable to shift a large box of chocolates for the same price as a bar of chocolate from one of the countless new, more premium competitors the Thornton’s management team have surely failed their colleagues and the brand.

Across the Atlantic, Godiva (even with a change of ownership) has shown that mass premium chocolate can maintain traction.

The problem that Thornton’s has, is the name itself, it is no longer associated with a premium price point and I reckon that is terminal.