Organizations love listing strengths: strong people, good culture, great service, solid reputation. Taking a strategic perspective results in a more difficult question: are those actual advantages, or are they the same things that everyone else also has? This is exactly what the VRIO framework, developed by Jay Barney, helps clarify. […]
Category: Scenario Planning
One of the key lessons for me in life is that there are seasons when you want to take the next step, but it feels surprisingly unclear. A relationship changes. A career direction no longer fits. You’re not in a crisis per se, but you’re not moving forward either. You […]
As organizations mature, their focus naturally shifts toward incremental innovation. The emphasis moves from big, disruptive change to smaller improvements that enhance existing processes. These refinements help protect what has already been built, reinforce operating rhythms, and meet the evolving needs of customers and suppliers. In many ways, incremental innovation […]
In strategic management, few tools are as enduring and as clarifying as the Value Chain. At its core, the value chain helps leaders distinguish between what creates value and what supports it. While every function in a business matters, not every function plays the same role. The Value Chain Teaches […]
Have you ever felt like you’re working hard—but not sure if you’re working toward something that truly matters? This can leave you feeling…a bit fried. Whether you’re running a business or managing your own life, the shift from simply doing to strategically designing is where transformation begins. Strategic planning is […]
Publically traded companies are assessed by a myriad of financial and operational ratios by shareholders. Business owners and executives measure success by KPIs: growth, sales, marketing engagement, social stats, etc. Even at the individual level, we can perceive ourselves positively or negatively based on how others respond to us. When […]
The end of the year often provides opportunities to reflect and causes us to think about the journey ahead. While my consultancy primarily focuses on business strategy, I’m always delighted someone reaches out to discuss crafting personal strategies. These are usually individuals who are in the midst of change and […]
In the world of business, strategy is not just a plan; it’s a dynamic process that requires both depth and breadth of understanding. Whether you’re running a small shop or a multinational corporation, the keys of strategy remain the same: executives need fundamental business acumen coupled with a panoramic view […]
Developing the right strategy is an iterative and experimental process. While seeking to prove a strategic hypothesis, you often discover unexpected and fruitful ideas that can help you perfect your strategy. On the surface, it might look like the most successful strategies are carefully planned. In truth, some industry leaders […]
Businesses, especially large ones, rely heavily on plans, processes and routines. These can quickly become unproductive models of rigid organizational management though, fixated on metrics that are not tightly coupled with innovation. External events often force departure from the routine. When this happens, the processes that are in place can […]
Businesses, especially large ones, rely heavily on plans, processes and routines. These can quickly become unproductive models of rigid organizational management though, fixated on metrics that are not tightly coupled with innovation. Employees must be empowered to learn, adjust, and be willing to take bold action that can lead to change.