Running a business without strategy is like driving your car without a clear destination and map to get there. It is both confusing and inefficient. Business isn’t something you make up as you go along. The leader needs ensure he/she is well informed about external industry dynamics and the needed related internal capabilities. The best leaders anticipate, then create the future using a well-informed strategy to make it happen. They also ensure everyone in the organization is clear about this direction and why it’s important.
As we approach the end of 2024, it’s an important time to step back and take a comprehensive look at the past year and plan for 2025. Intentional reflection and forward-thinking vision mark
Among many other helpful insights, my business leadership professor at Penn State, Dr. Albert Vicere, taught me almost 30 years ago that every company follows a standard lifecycle. As your business grows, the
Introduction Navigating the complex world of business risk is a critical aspect of steering your company towards success and sustainability. The array of potential risks can be overwhelming, from economic fluctuations to technological
In the complex world of business, it’s rare for leaders to always have all the answers. Sometimes, market shifts catch you off guard. The bank might unexpectedly suggest revising their lending and credit
Scaling and replication are two different approaches to organically grow your business. Scaling involves increasing the size and scope of your existing business operations, while replication involves creating a duplicate of your
Growth is hard work. For the past 27 years, I’ve worked as an executive coach, Vistage Chair, trainer or management consultant with hundreds of organizations. They have varied in size from just under
In business, there are often no shortage of opportunities for a leadership team to consider. With so many options, it can be difficult to determine which are worth pursuing. When considering a business
Courage still matters in business and in life. Many of us avoid the difficult decisions or talk ourselves out of taking risks. We strive for comfort where only pain and discomfort exists. It’s
We often hear talk about mergers and acquisitions in the current economic environment. Minimal energy is spent talking about strategic alliances and collaborations. The truth is that there’s a wide continuum that business
No matter how far out the tide goes, all waves come crashing back to shore. The same is true with business cycles. We have experienced a particularly good period in business over the
Strategy has shaped history, and now it’s shaping the future. From the conquests of Alexander the Great to the complexities of modern cyber warfare, The New Makers of Modern Strategy explores how strategic thinking has evolved over centuries. Edited by Hal Brands, this groundbreaking volume brings together insights from history’s greatest military minds and applies […]
Read moreWhen Execution was first published, it changed the way we did our jobs by focusing on the critical importance of “the discipline of execution”: the ability to make the final leap to success by actually getting things done. Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan now reframe their empowering message for a world in which the old rules have […]
Read moreBoth successful entrepreneurs and chess grandmasters have the vision to look at the pieces in front of them and anticipate their next five moves. In this book, Patrick Bet-David translates this skill into a valuable methodology that applies to high performers at all levels of business. Whether you feel like you’ve hit a wall, lost […]
Read moreArtificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses think about strategy, but can AI truly help leaders make better strategic decisions? As AI tools like ChatGPT become more advanced, they offer intriguing possibilities for brainstorming, problem-solving, and enhancing decision-making processes. In this insightful MIT Sloan Management Review article, explore three key lessons learned from engaging ChatGPT […]
Read moreLeadership has always been demanding, but today’s executives face unprecedented challenges that continue to intensify. From rapid technological advancements to evolving workforce expectations, leaders must navigate an ever-expanding set of responsibilities. In this MIT Sloan Management Review article, explore the four key leadership burdens that are growing heavier and learn how to manage them effectively: […]
Read moreEvery business owner will eventually transition out of their company—whether by choice or circumstance. Yet, many entrepreneurs overlook the importance of a well-structured exit strategy, leaving value on the table and risking the future of what they’ve built. In this Middle Market Journal article, discover why having an exit plan is critical for long-term success […]
Read moreSince its founding in 1963, BCG has become known for its analytical approach to problem-solving, as well as the emphasis it places on the exploration and development of new business ideas and pursuits. Notably, BCG’s founder, Bruce D. Henderson pioneered the field of corporate strategy and developed concepts like the Experience Curve and the Growth-Share […]
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View moreLuc de Brabandere recounts an experience where he was asked to define “thinking out of the box.” He realized that he had focused too much on the “creative” aspect and not enough on the “thinking” aspect. He explains that thinking always involves a mental model, or “box,” and the key is whether that box is […]
Success starts with a clear vision. In this powerful presentation, renowned business growth expert Cameron Herold shares the transformative concept of Vivid Vision—a strategic approach to aligning your company’s future with clarity, purpose, and passion. Most entrepreneurs struggle to communicate their big-picture goals, leaving teams misaligned and opportunities untapped. But with Vivid Vision, Herold teaches […]
Five Stages of Decline: Hubris Born of Success Undisciplined Pursuit of More Denial of Risk and Peril Grasping for Salvation Capitulation to Irreverence or Death “The concept of hubris is defined as excessive pride that brings down a hero, or alternatively, outrageous arrogance that inflicts suffering upon the innocent.” The Cycle of Arrogant […]
Read moreI have been a Charles Handy fan for many years and find that his work only becomes more prescient and meaningful with time. It’s amazing how he could envision the world we would be doing business in before it happened. His thoughts on life, business, and leadership are timeless. I had my son revisit his 2001 book, The Elephant and Flea, and […]
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