Change
Successful Joint Business Planning Begins With Great Questions
Successful joint business planning requires vendors and retailers to share as much important information as possible. But you have to know what to ask and how to ask it to get the information you need. There’s an art to asking great questions; an essential skill that far too few people in leadership positions possess. Here…
Read MoreIt’s all about the people
The much-lauded CEO of Yahoo Marissa Mayer has made “people” her number one priority in righting the company ship. Her first year did not yield great results. But if history is any guide, leaders who prioritize hiring and retaining the right people at the company produce impressive turnarounds. Exhibit A: Back in 2001, Doug Conant…
Read MoreThe Science of Human Development
I’m intrigued by the countless connections between science and business. Organizations are organisms impacted by relational and environmental conditions. So, how do we as OD professionals help create alignment, or synchrony, within organizations? What conditions are necessary to align energies and behaviors that accelerate growth? In the online science publication, io9.com, author Robert Gonzalez shows how 32…
Read MoreEngineering Principles…
…that should be applied to business. Is it economically viable? Can it be done in a timely manner? Is it commercially viable? Will people buy it? Is it possible to produce?
Read MoreNothing Ever Changes.
We hear that from time to time. During initial discovery, we’ll hear employees say things like “they say they want to do things differently, but when push comes to shove, they’re averse to change.” Or, “great ideas, but who’s going to do it….we’re short-handed as it is.” Or, “changing the system would mean completely retraining…
Read MoreIs your organization a meritocracy?
If it isn’t, or if it’s not perceived as one, then you’re at risk of losing you’re your best employees. According to a recent performance and engagement survey* of over 200 companies, in over 42% of the companies low performing employees were among the most engaged and happy. And, they were most likely to recommend…
Read MoreThe Science of Happiness
I recently had the privilege of hearing Harvard rock-star professor, Shawn Achor, discuss the brain’s response to positivity and the sociology of happiness. Pretty simple stuff, really. And yet profoundly powerful and roundly ignored. Most companies and schools follow the flawed perception that “if I work harder, I’ll be successful. If I become successful, then…
Read MoreGet Out of the Rut and Into the Lead with Factory Week
How can you possibly focus on the big picture when you’re stuck in the weeds? It may be time for a kick in the pants. Maybe your company website needs a total overhaul. Or a great idea for a new product just isn’t getting off the ground. Maybe you’ve noticed that morale is low and…
Read MoreSelling Change
Change comes at a cost: it makes people uncomfortable. In the previous post, you can see all of the many excuses we come up with when faced with change. Many of us understand that change is essential to remain competitive in today’s world, but it doesn’t make it easy. You’ll face unexpected obstacles. You’ll likely be…
Read MoreSo, What Exactly Do You Mean By “Accountability?”
Take a look at any organizations list of values or guiding principles, and odds are you’ll see “accountability” featured prominently… and for good reason. But what do we really mean by accountability? And how can we effectively track, measure and reward accountability? In leadership roles, accountability is sometimes described as the acknowledgment and assumption of…
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