Margaret Reynolds 
As we approach the next fiscal year, most of you are putting into place new programs, processes and practices that your organization believes will drive greater success. High performance companies are always thinking about how to improve. To do so requires great clarity regarding the long-term potential and direction of the company, or a strategy. Once …
In the last few years, in spite of, and perhaps in part because of, the increasing application of technology and even AI, the difference between top firms and the rest can feel narrowed. There just aren’t that many things that can separate your firm from the pack. But there is one thing that we have …
At a recent board meeting of a membership organization, the group discussed a critical decision with high influence on membership emotional satisfaction. There were three factors involved. First, how much did the issue influence safety for members, secondly, the strength of membership sentiment on the matter and third, potential liability if there was a significant …
Recently, I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks in Africa on a whirlwind trip to accomplish multiple things. If I had to use one word to describe the experience it would be inspirational. At every turn, something or someone exceeded expectations, and I felt like a better person on the plane ride home than …
It is an interesting question, and, on the surface, it seems easy to answer. Most companies feel their customers are satisfied and that they have good relationships but does that translate into sales or retention? Not really. I just spent time reviewing a client’s database of customers—customers who self-report high levels of satisfaction. One thing …
After eleven horseback riding trips abroad, it never fails that I come away enriched in cultural awareness, new and deepened friendships, and business insights. This year is no different. My friends and I visited Türkiye in April when many admonished it was not a good time. Let me assure you if you are considering it, pack now! Why? Istanbul …
One of the reasons I don’t like the term strategic planning is because it is too often viewed as a cursory process, looking through the lens of what a company has already done, to try to figure out what actions to take next The experience is often framed by the question, “How can we be better?”. Being better is a great …
As leaders we are inundated with challenges. There are the daily fires to put out as operational requirements are aligned to meet market needs in real time. There are occasional game-changing challenges from external sources over which we have no control, like Covid-19 or an economic downcycle. And then there are the strategic challenges leaders …
Huh? Most of us associate growth with big ideas, big schemes, and big transformations. That is not untrue. But the big transformations are more likely to be to the mindset of leadership than to the activities of the organization. It took me a while to figure it out, but scalable companies aren’t necessarily smarter or …
These trends hit home. Some of them are more specific and some are more strategic, but they all have the potential for a direct impact on your business in 2024. What are you doing about them? Have you included them in your playbook? They fall into two categories: People and Technology. These are issues that …
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