successful implementation of strategic initiatives require cultural alignment

Quality is no longer a competitive advantage.  Today’s priority is to be heard in a “noisy” marketplace. What strategic imperative will set the pace tomorrow?  Whatever it turns out to be, rest assured that  strategic imperatives will continue to change at an ever increasing rate.  Without adjustment,  the capacity or willingness of employees...

Much of what experienced marketing and sales managers know about their

trade is no longer producing—buyers are less accessible.  Spending more on traditional advertizing or adding sales boots on the ground could be a losing proposition. The title of a new book by Mike Lieberman and Eric Keils captures the essence this shift—Fire Your Sales Force...

Long range planning is at best a waste of time and at worst dangerous. 

 Visioning engages the wonder, creativity, and flexibility of the child that still resides within everybody—albeit buried under layer upon layer of “shoulds and how tos” (let’s call this dimension the pirate).  Pirates influence morale (good or bad) creativity (unharnessed creativity may be focused on how to; get out of having to produce,...

Why do so many business strategies fail? From IT implementations and acquisitions

to process management initiatives and customer focus projects, the outcomes are distressingly similar. If you want to play the odds, bet on failure.  Most business leaders have fresh ideas, good intentions and a willingness to take action. So why is it so hard to turn...

If HR wants to “earn a seat at the strategic table,” it must justify

Recognize that most small to medium-sized businesses don’t have much HR expertise. How many of those folks wearing the HR hat have made the effort to obtain their PHR or SPHR designation—the benchmark of a “serious” HR executive? A company without this expertise would be wise to seek it out, either through a part-time consultant or HR executive...

An indigenous American, Chief Seattle (1780 – 1866) gave a widely

publicized speech arguing in favor of ecological responsibility. His iconic quote, “important decisions should be made through the eyes of seven generations—from great grandfather to great grandchild” has retained its appeal because a critically important question is left...

“The best laid plans of mice and men” The skepticism of Robert Burns

 Long range planning is at best a waste of time .  Visioning by contrast, has become essential to the process of creating plans that work.  Planning is like being a naval Admiral.  It is serious and control oriented—demanding  commitment and performance.  Visioning by contrast, feels more like being a pirate.  It’s about innovation, imagination...