Tag Archives: Strategic Planning
The Gift of Critical Feedback
A few years back I was playing golf with a client of mine and a banker of his. As usual, the typical old golf banter was exchanged in between serious business discussions. During one such business discussion my client said something that, quite honestly, only he could say. I looked at him and bluntly pointed out that he had his … Continue reading
Pain/Pain Theory
Pain/Pain Theory The Key to Driving Change Management & Behavior Modification This theory sits right at the intersection of the Strategic and Operating Model and the Behavioral Model. Over the years I have found this theory to be the fastest way for my clients and their organizations to implement the necessary changes they need to ensure they accomplish their … Continue reading
The Slide
We pass through the stages of our lives like going down the old metal slide on the playgrounds of our youth. The steep climb up the ladder, the high peak at the top where you can see almost all the way to your house!! You start out with excitement and the rush of adrenaline that’s sure to follow. You push … Continue reading
谢谢 – dank u – danke – grazie – gracias – thank you
The corporate world thrives in an environment of continuous improvement – year over year results need to increase and productivity must grow. We need to be leaner, faster and make better decisions than we made last year but, more importantly, far better than our competition. Results are calculated, goals are achieved and then we move on to the next day … Continue reading
The King has No Clothes
The core premise of my Operating Model (SSPP) is that business leaders will always measure the validity of their strategy and actions against the reality of what is going on in the marketplace versus what is happening within their own businesses. Working with what is real in the marketplace accelerates your desired results but also captures the hearts and minds … Continue reading
Consistent inconsistency
In the past few years, we have experienced a more volatile economic climate than I have ever witnessed over the course of my last 30 years in the business world. Meeting after meeting, business leaders are begging for reliable forecasts or fundamental insights into what lay ahead for their businesses. Long term planning has taken on a new meaning – … Continue reading
Are you really stronger than the weakest link?
I was lying in my hotel room in Wasserlos, Germany and right around 2:00am a voice came rushing into my brain, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” My first thought was thank goodness I do not have to build a baseball diamond in my backyard (my wife would be less than thrilled)! This was immediately followed … Continue reading
The Scarlet Letter of Indecision
I have observed a unique dynamic that exists in almost every company when there is an obvious business problem that is not solved. This dynamic is the telltale sign of frustration that creeps into the conversations I have with managers. They discuss with me why their leaders are not making obvious decisions to drive business results that the leaders themselves … Continue reading
Who are you?
No, I am not going to discuss the virtues of The Who’s famous song, nor the ramifications that rock and roll has had on our society. But I am going to share with you the importance of understanding who you are, your strengths and weaknesses and the high level correlation between your understanding of yourself and the affect you have … Continue reading
Drive for Results
In the last 25 years of management consulting the question I am most often asked: What is the one common trait all good Leaders possess? The answer: The ability to Drive Results within their businesses or organizations. Unfortunately, it’s been my experience that this characteristic is not very common in most business executives. Some Leaders are good stewards of … Continue reading