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Martin Clarkson is a charming and natural born storyteller with an extraordinary story to tell.  After being rejected just once too often for a career on the Stage, he kept his promise to his mother and applied to Marks & Spencer for a ‘proper job’,  before working there for almost half a century! From there, his story far from over, then continued as he went on to create a now 20 year old, world renowned company called ‘Storytellers’.  Now his passion for Storytelling continues with his newly formed enterprise, ‘Create Balance’. 

Create Balance is all about assisting businesses, whether creative or commercial, to respond imaginatively and appropriately to the challenges and opportunities offered by ‘current reality.’  Create Balance exists to make the most of the power of NOW, in an authentic and balanced way. 

For Martin Clarkson, reality exists in the power of Words. ‘Words to Follow’ might have been OK for ad-men pitching for business 50 years ago, but it is not OK for Martin Clarkson today!

He tells many a wonderful story, including the one about his grandfather telling him of a ‘bank’ that provided  £1440 free every single day. Any pounds not spent that day were lost. But another £1440 appeared again  next morning. Martin’s grandfather explained that the 1440 is actually a parable for the free 1440 minutes that are given to all of us every 24 hours. It is entirely up to us what we do with them. 

The words rang a bell with young Martin - as did the vision articulated by the person at M&S, who recruited him. ‘Why should performance be restricted to the theatre?’ he asked. He invited Martin to consider the 27 million shoppers, who visit Marks & Spencer ever day as his ‘audience’ and their 270 stores as his ‘stage’. 

Before his eyes were opened by these words, Martin saw the store as somewhere his mother went to buy knickers. An altogether unbalanced view! 

Now he understood Shakespeare’s words: “All the world’s a stage!”

On his various trips to New York to check the latest retail ideas on the floors of Manhattan, Martin always made time to take in a show at Radio City’s 8000 seat theatre. 4 shows a day, each just 75 minutes long, totally stimulating, totally inspirational!

Martin Clarkson my claim to have an ‘Honours Degree in Distraction’. The body of his life’s work demonstrates that he is able to reconcile the tensions of Brightness and Relevance. His Newco ‘Create Balance’ is an excellent manifestation of Martin’s latest bright relevant idea.

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

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