A New Tool for Resurrecting an Old Theory of the Firm

It's one of the oldest, most fundamental ideas in management theory: that executives should understand how the many distinct functional components of a firm -- production, distribution, product mix, human resources -- interrelate to achieve the proper fit.

For a firm to establish an effective, overarching strategic position relative to its competitors -- what management theorists call "firm positioning" -- the varied functional elements should, ideally, be complementary and reinforcing.

In recent years, however, this notion of comprehending the "part-whole" relationship of the firm fell out of favor as thinkers turned to other concepts to analyze and explain why organizations are effective. One well-known concept that emerged was the idea that companies could turn to core competencies to attain competitive advantage.

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1480

leadership - from IQ to HQI

The Facebook Philanthropos

How much giving do online contests and networks really generate?

Can social networks and virtual communities revolutionize charitable giving?

Many nonprofit organizations are counting on these online forces to expand their universe of donors. And a number of foundations are testing the potential by underwriting the launch of "social networking for social good" Web sites, and sponsoring online contests to encourage donations.

Read on ...

In Today's world, everything rises and falls on leadership

Your ability to lead will determine who you influence and what you are able to accomplish. If you want to be a great influencer, you can’t afford to be an average leader.

Learn the principles that will make you stand out as a leader!

LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP

Get 24 of the very best audio teachings on LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SUCCESS
and TEAMWORK in one incredible package at 25% off suggested retail!

Sales motivation

If you’re in sales, I know you’ll use this often for that “shot of inspiration” to maintain a positive attitude. But, you don’t have to be in sales to love this book. If you like quotes and you like beautiful photos, well...this little book will “knock your socks off!”

Click here to turn the pages of this beautiful little book

How Sustainable Is Sustainability in a For-Profit Organization?

What Do You Think?

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5834.html

Online forum OPEN until February 27. For managers, sustainability can mean the integration and intersection of social, environmental, and economic responsibilities. The concept is admirable, says Jim Heskett, but does it also confuse managers entrusted with the bottom line? How should they make trade-offs? What do you think?

How Canon Got Its Flash Back

- The Innovative Turnaround Tactics of Fujio Mitarai'
Author: Nikkei, translated by Mark Schreiber and Aaron Martin Cohen
ISBN: 0-470-82123-X

If there were prizes for clever book titles, How Canon Got Its Flash Back would certainly be short-listed for a Best Book Title Award. But behind the amusingly apt title there is the serious story of Canons recent roller coaster ride. The company was one of Japans great success stories in the 1980s, approached the brink of financial disaster in the 1990s, and then turned the business around to re-achieve global supremacy in the past few years. The key to this recent success has been the strong personal leadership of Canons President and CEO, Fujio Mitarai. - Keith Hall

This book discusses the East-West style management strategies of its current president Fujio Mitarai (nephew of the founder, Takeshi Mitarai) that have turned Canon into a winner despite an increasingly dreary global economy. Mitarai was chosen as one of the world's top 25 managers in 2001 by leading US magazine BusinessWeek. Since taking office in 1995, Mitarai was viewed as a model for executives of large corporation throughout the world.
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Pick the Right Box to Think In

Dan and Chip Heath make a point on the value of boundaries: "We're always told to think outside the box. But it's about time someone spoke up for the box. Because, paradoxically, thinking inside the box can spark creativity, not squelch it. It takes options off the table, but it also dramatically improves the chances that your team will hit the target. So maybe you don't need to think out of the box. Maybe you just need a new one to think in."

Like lines on the field, boxes can be constraints that focus and liberate our constructive choices in playing the great game of business. True empowerment remains freedom within limits, not total freedom. Not even CEOs are totally free to act--they have stakeholders and legal constraints that create the sandbox they play in. Help define the limits and focus of your people and then let them soar.

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Write a Creative Marketing Plan in 7 Sentences

Our Guerrilla Marketing coach explains the quickest way to create an effective marketing plan, plus 7 ways to ensure its success.

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Fundraising ideas

Looking for fundraising ideas? Here is something a little different ...

Using images in fundraising

Under What Influence?

What do executives consider when making a decision? What motivates an executive to get involved in one activity or initiative at the expense of another? Who does the executive look to for advice -- and who does he or she ignore? CCL's Pete Hammett reveals seven myths and paradoxes that influence today's senior leaders. (more...)

The Secrets of great groups

Personal leadership is one of the most studied topics in American life. Indeed, I have devoted a big chunk of my professional life to better understanding its workings. Far less studied -- and perhaps more important -- is group leadership. The disparity of interest in those two realms of leadership is logical, given the strong individualist bent of American culture. But the more I look at the history of business, government, the arts, and the sciences, the clearer it is that few great accomplishments are ever the work of a single individual.

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leadership quote

"Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

More quotations

The Myth of "Elegant Reasoning"

Great leaders create great strategies, right?

Not so.

The reality is that compelling strategies are seldom created but rather discovered and enhanced by drawing on the shared experiences of many.

(more...)

Leadership Success Tip

Leadership is a social function. It is the ability to make people listen to you, follow you, and respect you in the process. Respect cannot be demanded – it must be earned. Therefore, the more wisely and effectively you practise interpersonal skills, the more respect you will win.

Analyticals don't rule

(But They Do Ask Questions)

ANALYTICALS: GOOD TO THE LAST OBJECTION

Two questions.

Question #1: When was the last time you sat down and listed all the things that people suspect or misunderstand about your organization?

Question #2: Do you depend on statistics to make your case? Maybe you're keen to send out an annual appeal letter lavishly buttered with service stats? "Our dedicated staff of eight plus our 27 volunteers delivered 1,892 evening meals to 1,230 addresses in six counties, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year." The McDonald's approach: 22 trillion served.

Read the whole article

Wikipedia in Pinstripes

Companies interested in tapping into the shared expertise of their workers—the wisdom of crowds writ for business—are looking towards models such as Wikipedia that encourage collaboration.

Can Wikipedia work in pinstripes?

Harvard Business School professor Andy McAfee has his doubts that a corporate encyclopedia would have much value. But the underlying wiki technology—basically an electronic document and repository where participants can throw out ideas, comment on the work of others, and share documents—has more promise.

McAfee and collaborator professor Karim R. Lakhani discuss their research into wikis and other collaboration tools for the enterprise.

Read the whole article: How wikipedia works

Quote for the week

"An empowered organization is one in which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire, and opportunity to personally succeed in a way that leads to collective organizational success."

--Stephen R. Covey

More quotations at the Pivotal quotations pages

Leading in Times of Transition

12 Leader Competencies: What It Takes In Times of Transition

For many leaders, managing the business and addressing the needs of workers are at odds. They ask, "How can I make the tough decisions if I have to focus on the emotions and concerns of my employees?" The answer isn't about choosing either the people or the business, according to CCL's Kerry Bunker. Instead, the answer lies in being authentic and building trust.

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Ego in leaderhip

Are You an Egomaniac? Guy Kawasaki's Ten Questions with Steven Smith

Steven Smith has spent the past ten years exploring how great leaders use ego differently than everyone else—how they work, think, collaborate, and who they are.

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