Welcome to the latest issue of Unspun, which focuses on the importance of looking after the people who matter to your business. Whether it’s taking the time to ensure your staff feel fulfilled, engaging stakeholders during a time of change or empowering managers, there are many ways in which you can maximise the effectiveness of the people in your organisation.

In this issue we look at some of the key things to get right when creating an online channel. We also look at how you can effectively position your e-commerce offering to ensure it complements rather than cannibalises traditional sales. Underpinning all this is the need to make the right choice around the technology supporting your e-commerce venture. We consider the options and look at how one retailer, Habitat, went online.

In this issue we focus on a number of strategy development issues: Can pursuing a set strategy actually be the wrong thing to do? How can you increase your chances of success when embarking on a strategy study? And is strategic planning really worth all that effort?

In this issue we embrace the music revolution, exploring how the MCPS-PRS Alliance updated its IS strategy in an uncertain and rapidly changing environment. In ‘Speaking out’, we ask whether advances in technology will ever replace the need for face-to-face communication in a business setting. And Ann Sutton, chief executive of the Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT, offers her insights on managing change within the NHS. We hope you enjoy the read.

In this issue, we’ve added some new features alongside our more regular slots. WHSmith’s Peter Swann gives us his personal perspective on how to successfully effect change. With high-profile projects hitting the press for all the wrong reasons, we look at some of the steps managers can take to turn around troubled programmes. Berkeley has been busy over the past year increasing our contribution to the wider community. You can read about some of our efforts in our new Community Corner. We welcome your feedback on any of the articles, and hope you enjoy the read!

In this issue, we look at the challenges businesses face when they consider offshoring. We revisit one of our clients Marks & Spencer to see how it created a template for successful franchising to support the rapid growth of the company's international business. Gary Shaughnessy from Prudential also offers his insights into how an organisation can be truly customer facing. In 'Speaking out', we ask whether separate change management streams for projects are ever justified. On a lighter note, in the spotlight this month is Berkeley consultant Jonathan Kennedy.

In our first new-look unspun, we ask how you can find the right balance in the contract negotiation game. We're also delighted to have contributions from two of our clients, both past and present, DBC Foodservice and Aspen Re. This issue also sees the launch of our 'Speaking out' section, where people air their sometimes controversial views on management issues. We also talk to one of our consultants to find out what makes him tick.