When I speak with CEO’s around the country, I ask them to rank which of the following four issues gives them the biggest challenge: 1) defining the relevant market, 2) creating a purposeful culture, 3) crafting an effective growth strategy or 4) strategic implementation. Would it surprise you to learn that CEO’s find the most [...]
There are now 16 days between today and your clean slate–you know, the new year when you are sure you will be able to turn a page, charge the motor and get going on a great set of objectives, plans and projects to make 2012 the best year ever. So how will you do that? What [...]
Recently I have come across two very intersting lists—the top 10 growth industries and the 10 fastest declining industries. Being in a growth industry is usually a good thing! You get tail winds. Being in a declining industry–well your challenge is to avoid being the buggy whip. Most of us are somewhere in the middle [...]
What products and services have revolutionalized your life? In my lifetime, there have been many. Wonder how they came about? It required asking the right questions and really listening for the answer. In today’s pressured economic environment it is really tempting to ask, “How can we cut back?”, “How can we do this for less money/time?”. [...]
Basketball is known for the double-double, even the triple-double—scoring double digit points while achieving double digit assists or rebounds. Not an easy feat and it takes a well rounded player. Well, from here on out, I want to encourage YOU to achieve a double-double in business. Double revenue in half the time. Impossible you say? [...]
When we talk about companies we admire, most of them have good strategies. Their strategies have worked for years, as they are focused, clear, and consistent. What changes is how they deliver on them. Southwest Airlines: The Low Fare–yes, today their ticket prices may be higher in some markets but don’t forget to throw in [...]
When working with clients one of the first things we do is go through a discovery process. You might think clients already know everything about their business but the truth is, most companies only look at the data in one way–the way they always have. By introducing new ways to analyze the data and integrate [...]
Over the course of my blogging career, I have enjoyed coining some unique language to describe some of the concepts and practices of successful strategic leaders as well as terms that describe common mistakes. Here is a dictionary of sorts. If the words or phrases intrigue you, please click on them to read more. Each is connected to [...]
Is the glass half full or half empty? Is the best singer on the Voice the winner? Is $3.01 a fair price for a bottle of water at the airport? Your answers reflect how you see it. Are you right? Hard to say. If I am the singer who won or the water vendor at the [...]
The old adage “you get what you measure” has been proven time and again. The issue is, do you understand the implications of what you measure. Over the weekend, I attended a baseball series between Vanderbilt and Georgia, played in Athens. It was a great series between two well respected teams. It was also a [...]