When I first began running large-scale programs for a global organization, I quickly found out that multiple time zones created an enormous strain on the team. If you are in the central US, here’s what your day might look like: a 4 A.M. wake-up call to check in with your Asian team at the end […]
Archive | Strategy
Why Setting Limits Unlocks Unlimited Innovation
In 1988, when Chrysler president Bob Lutz tasked design chief Tom Gale to create a version of the Ford Cobra, he gave the production team a charter consisting of these three parameters: A $50 million budget 36 months to get it to production (in time for the ’92 Detroit show) “Be ethical, moral, and don’t […]
How to Create a Growth Magnet
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland When I’m working with clients on how to find the growth plan for their business, I first help them step outside of their organization to see the entire landscape that’s available to them so that […]
Small, Medium, Large: What Size Innovation Problem Do You Have?
When I began consulting, my clients were primarily innovators within mid-size organizations. Frequently, I’m drawn into discussions with small and large firms, as well. These consultations have been fascinating lessons in the different approaches to innovation and which approach best fits with which size and stage of business. In any economy, investable organizations are the […]
When #3 Is the Best Place to Be
I have written a great deal about technology breakout programs here, but today I want to talk about breakout marketing. Let’s take a look at how smart positioning is helping one automotive company gain on its competitors. Automotive brands occupy some of the highest-priced brand real estate in the market. Billions are poured into strategy […]
Why Every Breakthrough Idea Needs a Raft
Imagine this: you’ve just left your boss’ office and you were given the ball on a major, new, cross-functional project. You are buzzing with ideas about who you need, what you need, and the time and effort it’s going to take. The question running through your mind in those moments is, “what should I do […]
Innovation Aikido: How to Get Past Organizational Resistance
How many times have you seen a talented change leader and an equally bright team fail to move their innovative ideas from concept to market — despite being given a “mandate” from the C-Suite? Today I’m going to dissect how this process frequently breaks down and give you some tips on how to prevent your […]
The Big Miss: What It Is and How to Avoid It
The Big Miss is a phenomenon that occurs in larger companies. It’s what happens when a new organization forms around a new product or line of business that ultimately fails in the marketplace. When investment and expectations exceed the project’s ability to deliver, what you have is a Big Miss. In the best case, […]
Are Your Business Discussions High-Octane?
This is part two of a three part discussion about the elements required to take an idea for a new venture, acquisition or partnership from concept to profitability. In the previous post, I outlined the three essential elements using the analogy of an internal combustion engine: compression, spark and fuel. Today, I will talk about […]
Three Keys to Profitable Partnerships
We’ve all been to networking discussions where the ideas flow and the potential for collaboration seems infinite – and yet nothing happens after the conversations end. Some of these ideas are clearly not meant to be; for every great idea there are several hundred that aren’t worth a penny. So how can you discern the […]