Organizational theorist and Wharton Professor Emeritus, Russ Ackoff taught that the most flexible part of a system will drive the system. “Humans are the ONLY organizational subsystem capable of situational awareness and adaptation to a shifting environment. Process and technology (often the focus of change efforts) are inert, and lack the ability to learn and…
At this point in the land of modern technology, we are at a precipice. Is email going, going gone? Doubt it. But there sure is a growing chorus of email-haters out there. And with good reason! How many emails does it take to setup a meeting, have a meeting — where it is then decided…
I remember my first sculpture class at a prestigious Philadelphia art school. I labored over an exquisite clay version of the nude modeling before us, taking great pains to find every curve; examining contours and proportion each step of the way. After an hour or so the teacher (himself a notable sculptor) walked around surveying…
Experience suggests that HR departments can play a much bigger role in an organization’s strategy. From aligning job specifications around strategic objectives, to designing successful on-boarding, retention, engagement and recognition programs, HR directors need to understanding the breadth of their role, and continually stay current and active in all of these areas. J. Craig Mundy…
Why not? More and more, companies are seizing the opportunity to control their own brand via social media and other digital advertising platforms. And, I suspect other retailers to follow suit. The trend of taping an iPad to complete retail transactions or look at inventory is a growing one. With 18,000 stores in 58 countries,…
Think you got what it takes to be a leader? This video points up the key elements of authentic leadership, in all its glory. It shows the true power and unanticipated impact of selfless leadership. The hidden message? Leaders must be willing to make themselves “vulnerable.” Leadership lessons from Dancing Guy. Enjoy.
Some business cliches are so ubiquitous, we hardly even hear them anymore. But, when we take the time to listen and deconstruct these tropes, as Eric Jackson does here, they’re actually pretty freakin’ amusing.
There are tons, well hundreds really, of social media sites out there with new sites sprouting up everyday. Think about it. Almost everyone at this point uses some form of social media whether it’s photo-sharing, IMing at work or checking in on Foursquare. For a comprehensive list of programs, platforms and apps to maximize your…
S. Chris Edmonds, writing for SmartBlog on Leadership looks at the attributes of high-performance, valued-aligned companies. It make take some time, but get these five things right and you could be on your way.
When it comes to corporations hiring ‘the best and the brightest’ employees, it’s not always clear what the definitions are for ‘best’ and ‘bright’. To a degree, corporations may be setting the bar too high when looking to hire truly innovative thinkers. In this latest email exchange, Malcolm Gladwell and Bill Simmons discuss the…