From Dots and Dashes to Digital Dashboards — And Why Signals Still Matter

Hi, I’m Clint, founder of C-Sure Consulting. This week’s edition of C-Shorts takes inspiration from the past, reflections from the present, and reminds us that in supply chains and life, the signals we notice and how we respond to them truly matters...

📻 Wireless Wonders On this day in 1897, a 23-year-old Italian engineer named Guglielmo Marconi was granted a patent in London for a groundbreaking system of wireless telegraphy; what would eventually become known as the radio. His work built on Morse code and longwave transmission, enabling dots and dashes to travel over distances far greater than any wired system could manage at the time.

Fast forward to today, and those same longwave frequencies are still bouncing through the air— just about. While reports last month suggested the BBC would be switching off Radio 4 Longwave, it turns out the service has been granted a last-minute stay of execution. The RTS system it carries is being phased out, but the station itself will continue until an ‘impact review’ is completed.

💡 In a world flooded with constant data and digital noise, it’s easy to forget the importance of signals. Real ones. Subtle ones. Signals that tell you when to pivot, when to dig deeper, and when something just isn’t quite right. This idea of picking up on signals has been on my mind at home too...

🏫 From Homeschool to High Hopes

Our eldest son is on day two of his transition days at secondary school. If you read last week’s blog, you’ll know we spent the past year homeschooling him, tailoring his learning, building his confidence, and choosing the right path forward together.

Yesterday, I picked him up from his first transition day and saw a face beaming with energy and excitement. This morning, when I dropped him off, he practically bounced into the building. These moments alone made all the hard work this past year feel worthwhile! 😊

And here’s the thing: none of this happened by chance. It came from spotting the early signals, listening carefully, and not being afraid to take a less conventional route. Something that felt risky at first, but now feels like the best possible move we could have made.

🌎 Tariffs, Tensions, and Tactical Thinking

I’ve been reflecting on a report I saw in BBC World News earlier this week. According to a global index, supply chain disruption concerns have reached a record high, fuelled by a mix of geopolitical tension, tariffs, and instability across the Middle East.

And while the specific triggers may shift, the underlying message is loud and clear:

Supply chains are under intense pressure!

It’s easy to react when things go wrong: a shipment delayed, a tariff introduced, a supplier suddenly off the radar. But the smartest organisations are the ones that anticipate problems before they hit the headlines.

That’s where supply chain mapping comes in... Understanding exactly who you depend on, and where your exposure lies, allows you to receive information early and act quickly. Some risks are obvious. Others are easy to miss unless you’re paying close attention, but those are often the ones that matter most. 📚 Stories, Strategy and the Signals We Follow

I’m currently finishing Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the memoir of Nike’s co-founder. What stands out is how much of his journey was shaped not just by bold leaps, but by spotting opportunities that others ignored. The early signals. The subtle shifts. The quiet hunches that turned into game-changers.

Next on my reading list is Yuval Noah Harari’s latest book, Nexus. I was reminded why I’m such a fan of his when I caught him recently on the Rich Roll Podcast. He spoke very eloquently about the way human civilisation has always relied on shared stories and communication networks. 💡 It’s not the tech that helps us evolve; it’s the way we interpret and act on information.

That applies in business too. Signals are everywhere — in your team, your customer base, and your supply chain partners. The trick is noticing them, trusting them, and knowing when to act. So, whether you're choosing a school, shifting suppliers, or preparing for geopolitical risk, it's not always about the biggest and boldest moves you make. It’s about tuning into the right signals and knowing how to respond.

🤝 Let’s Keep Connected

What challenges are you seeing right now in your own business?

Have you spotted a small signal lately that led to a big shift? I’d love to hear from you — comment below or get in touch with us directly. Until next time...

💡 C-Sure Shortcut of the Week

Not all risks are obvious.

Mapping your supply chain now helps you spot the signals early, before it's too late.