Margaret Reynolds Clearly the question is no longer “Do we need to change?” It is “How do we know when we need to change?” As challenging as it is to wrap our minds around all the moving parts of the market, technology and the economy, the hardest part is to decide when to make dramatic changes to …
In every discussion of organizational growth, we ask two questions about customers: “Who are your best customers?” and “Why do they choose to do business with you?” Would you be surprised to learn that most companies can’t answer those questions based on any specific data? If they feel comfortable offering an answer it is usually …
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32 NIV We have absolutely no reason not to be truthful with ourselves about the state of the business and the market. Our interests are best served by understanding that which can make us smarter and better, right? It is human …
The lifespan of companies is shortening. In 1958, the average publicly traded company could expect to stay on the DOW Jones list for 61 years; now it is just 18 years. Yet according to the Census, 60% of businesses are ten years old or older meaning they are more than halfway through their “life-cycle”. For …
As leaders we wake up every morning and wonder if we are making a difference? The truth is, for many of us, we are not. We spend our days fighting fires instead of developing forever solutions, more time telling and less time guiding and certain we can’t miss a day of work. What does leadership …
Hardships are something we are not strangers to. We all have them–no matter how rich, how famous, how happy, we all face hardships. It is what we do about them that determine the impact they make. This is a hard subject to write about because it is littered with clichés… “If it is to be, …
When I speak I often am asked how to create an effective strategic plan–where do I start? For the development of an effective plan it is about preparation and that means starting with the step I call Discovery. This video walks you through what Discovery is and why it is important. Let me know what …
After several decades of helping companies grow, a few key concepts have emerged and become a strong foundation for the methodology we use with clients. Over the years, these concepts have been validated by the performance results and growth experienced by clients–even and especially in mature industries. In fact, in 2011, the year the company …
It sounds a little like the Gold Rush, doesn’t it? Hunt for value and hope to get rich! Yet great strategic leaders that generate high performance are adept at being able to spot the right rocks to turn over and find the gem underneath. Actually, many precious stones in their natural form don’t look like …
Classic Bob Dylan, “He not busy being born is busy dying.” Companies are challenged every day to grow or die. The odds are against us from the start. Most businesses fail before Year 3. And if you make it, you will find that the average life span of businesses from start up to maturity when …
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