Zeitgeist Inflection
Most strategists will clock and respond to a change in interest rates or cheaper competitors. But what about a change in vibes when the customer’s desires shift? Strategy never sleeps. […]
Subtraction in Action
Reducing your strategic focus to only a few key projects is the best way to accelerate your progress. But while it sounds good, doing it for real is hard. […]
Subtraction Strategy
Strategic success depends on clarity and focus. But strategies often include so many projects that nothing is a priority, and no one can focus. It’s an epidemic! The number of […]
Say No (More)
If you want to accelerate your progress toward unprecedented results, start saying no. Say no during the strategy off-site and say no after it’s over. Pet Priorities Every […]
Metrics Over Mission
When results are poor, check that everyone's north star is the customer’s experience rather than the scorecard. because focusing on the score takes you away from customers. And of course, that defeats your entire goal.
Too Close to the Sun
One of the oddest ways that companies fail is by becoming victims of their own strengths. In other words, the very thing that generates competitive advantage morphs into a problem. […]
Religious Fervor
Our methodological tools are merely that–tools. But we become attached to them, and soon we are no longer craftsmen, but disciples. When that happens, we become tunnel-visioned; everything demands the […]
Take the Long-View
The most iconic companies we admire started life with a vivid and long-term vision. And they strategized to fulfill it. So why don’t we do the same thing? These days, […]
You Are Here
You may know strategically exactly how and where you’re taking your organization. But that doesn’t mean everyone on your team knows how to get there. Everyone who works in an […]
Sometimes It’s Not the Execution
In case of bad results, we blame the execution. My client had what we would certainly call a stretch goal. Actually, more like a Big Very Hairy Super-Audacious Goal, to […]