The “Girls’ Club” Revisited
As women business owners, managers, executives, or community leaders, it is important that we provide support to each other and serve as positive role models for current and future generations of women. That does not equate, however, to exclusionary practices or...
Business Analysis – Identifying the Issues and Opportunities
Where do you start to improve business performance or change how you do business? The first step is to understand the full scope of what is taking place in your business. For many businesses things just “happen”; agreements are entered into, documents are signed, and...
Blessedly Inexperienced, Critically Impaired
Blessedly Inexperienced, Critically Impaired As many of you may know, my inspiration for articles frequently comes from observation and inadvertent eavesdropping in various venues while waiting for meetings. (I am invariably early for meetings and appointments.) ...
The Starting Point – Action
As a consultant and advisor to organizations and individuals, the most challenging aspect of the role is getting the client to act. Action is about change, so action can be intimidating, whether leading an organization, executing a project, or just getting started on...
Riding a Pterodactyl and Chasing the Dodo – Is Your Business Model Extinct and Your Business an Endangered Species?
Some of us passed through a period of fascination with prehistoric creatures such as dinosaurs, as well as more recently demised species. Recall the phrase dead as a dodo?We saw images of a pterodactyl, the winged dinosaur often pictured in cartoons and sci-fi movies...
“My hands are tied” – Use your head
All too often we hear familiar justifications as to why things don't change. One which seems to be recurring more frequently is "my hands are tied". Undoubtedly you are familiar with the refrain - things need to change BUT "my hands are tied!". Performance needs to...
Commercializing Your Business: A Primer
Commercialization always involves two components – the technology or product AND the business model. The road to commercialization, however, differs for each business due to many factors: Type or nature of the product/technology/service (the “product”) Experience of...
Business Interruptions and Their Impact on Profits
When you sit down and think about all the things that can disrupt your business operations, you can probably identify and prepare for many. Things like weather, public services disruptions, public protests, strikes, loss of a key employee, software malfunction,...
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Many of you may know that in addition to writing and consulting I also do speaking engagements. The topics vary depending upon the venue and the audience, of course. Generally, I know the topic in fairly specific terms well in advance of an appearance. I also...
Economic Incentives Focused on Big Business, But Where Is the Future?
More and more, it becomes apparent that the government does not—and can not—hold the answers for U.S. competitiveness. At best, the government must be encouraged to get out of the way to enable businesses to be able to compete. Federal, state, and local governments,...