Once more I have the overpowering urge to bite the hand that feeds. I feel compelled to spell out what most in the boardroom secretly know to be true: corporate wheezes such as conferences, workshops, awaydays and seminars are the biggest waste of time and money known to the business world.

In a scary way I am a very small part of this circuit because I do occasional speeches at such affairs and sometimes even get paid for it. I try my best to stimulate and entertain, but I know such performances – even as part of a package – aren’t worth a fraction of the £500 or even £1,000 a day delegates get charged to attend.