The Moments of Your Life
Leadership
There are random events, conversations, and songs that trigger nostalgic feelings. At those times we tend to remember impressions or moments from the past much more than a clearly defined timeline of everything that happened. Even though the memories are incomplete and probably not wholly accurate, they are emotionally powerful. In the Heath brother’s latest book, The Power of Moments, they explore why certain moments not only stay with us but shape us as well.
We tend to remember the best or worst moments of an experience (the peak) and the ending (peak-end). When people recall…Read more.
Getting the Story Right
Organizational Transformation
The film industry loves the sequel. The artistic argument revolves around a chance to more fully develop characters, explore new plot lines, and tell an even better story. However, the track record for most sequels falls under the category of underachievement. Given that reality, it is also illuminating to consider the economic argument. An established fan base, previous success, and a workable formula for production and marketing greatly reduce the economic risk. Despite being an industry driven by creativity, risk mitigation plays a big role in the decision making. So, how do film companies find the balance between enabling…
Read more.The Invisible Hand of Leadership
Leadership
“Setting oneself on a predetermined course in unknown waters is the perfect way to sail straight into an iceberg.” Henry Mintzberg
Adam Smith, often cited as the father of modern capitalism, introduced the idea of an economic “invisible hand” that helps demand and supply in a free market to reach equilibrium. Smith argued that market forces naturally do the necessary work to keep economies in balance. One of the great debates among economists is how much economic intervention is healthy and necessary. At what point do government policies bolster and at what point…
Read more.Creating an Organizational Renaissance
Organizational Transformation
For those of us born in the middle of the last century, we experience both amazement and disappointment when we reflect on our childhood dreams of technology advancements in our lifetime. Clearly the internet and smart phones have placed a dizzying array of information and computing power at our fingertips and yes, we can even see the people we talk to on the phone. But, we are still waiting for our flying cars. While some argue that we live in the most rapidly changing time in history, others point to the generation who saw the introduction of electricity, the…
Read more.Let’s Play Monopoly
Strategy
It is at the heart of every entrepreneur’s dream. To do something no one else is doing but lots of potential customers desperately want someone to do. Peter Thiel, founder of Paypal, phrases the key question as, “What valuable company is nobody building?” Obviously answering this question fits into the category “easier said than done?” In his book, Zero to One, Thiel provides insights that help us approach this question.
It is certainly not a new revelation that bringing something new to the market and avoiding competition is a pathway to big profits. In Blue Ocean Strategy, authors Kim and…
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