Security…protecting your customers, staff, cash and assets

In these recesionary times, security for one’s customers, staff, cash and assets is a  very serious issue…and one that should be regularly reviewed.
Prudent safeguards and planning for security breach scenarios makes sense. Business transformation is a holistic process…and one that should cover off all the risks.
The four issues I  first focus on when helping organisations are [...]

5000 plus views and growing

I’m just delighted to report that we have hit our first milestone with more than 5000  leaders around the world having read this blog.
It’s taken about 20 months…and has vindicated our research and beliefs that we’re adding value…so thank you very much…and please keep reading and emailing.
We’re not a big player…but we’re in the very [...]

Consultants…or doers…is it horses for courses?

Consultants are brought in for a variety of reasons…
Track record,  sector specialisation,  analysis,  Board’s  discomfort with management resources…
But how many fulfil the critical role of implementation?
A  new strategy that makes sense requires continuity through the execution phases.
My view is that external advisors need to offer doer teams that mentor management’s imperatives.
It is horses for courses…but [...]

We’re going green…but do the colour differences matter?

Corporates are  rapidly embracing the csr, marketing and pr benefits of greening up their businesses.
But authoritative  green commentators and the media are calling for some standardisation in the carbon debate.
Is it possible that benchmarks for industry sectors could be useful…or is it a pipedream…given the diversity of operations.
One might argue that any incremental gain in [...]

You won’t know…unless you ask

I’m constantly inundated by sales representatives flogging their wares…but at least they ring.
Anybody who sends me unsolicited blurb suffers the permanent penalty…in the trashcan!
It’s tragic that they hustle me…without asking me what I do…and what I need.
Simple questions huh! And very powerful.
I always reckon that it’s best to ring a contact that’s potentially warm…cold calls [...]

Market assessment…the vibe is…plenty are doing it

Organisations seems to be re-assessing their markets more often nowdays. I suspect that’s a function of executive churn being fueled by shorter leadership stays at the top.
If your competitors are changing their captains and line leaders, you can bet reasonably safely that they’re also undertaking market reviews…which may mean they are better placed to interpret [...]

The rules of retail reinvention by Jon Bird… co-founder at Ideaworks in Sydney

There is more innovation happening in the world of retail now than at any other time in the past decade.
And it is happening in a more thoughtful way than ever. This is a direct result of international retailers following – consciously or unconsciously – the following rules of retail reinvention:
• [...]

Ausindustry announces $8M grants

Government announces $8 million in grants available

The Australian Government, through its businesses delivery division AusIndustry, has announced more than $8 million in grants available for business skills development for small business training providers. The applications for funding close on 24 November.
You can apply for a grant through the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business program [...]

Business transformation is the pathway to your vision

Let me clear up a misconception about the term “business transformation”.
IT companies originally coined the term to label consultancy processes to sell integrated information systems.
But today, business transformation means more. It implies a holistic key result area transformation across your business…which is the only valid strategic process to achieving your corporate vision…or what you want [...]