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 [...]

What happens next at the top of your game?

You’re  at the top of your business game. Market shares are significant across the prime segments  and defence mechanisms are working well.
EBIT is growing nicely ( thanks to  rising prices and tight cost control ). Competitors don’t seem to be developing value propositions as fast as you are. Staff capability is good and your loyalty [...]

How can you operate successfully in a fragmented market?

I’m often asked this question. And for the record, my thoughts are not to be construed as specific advice…but general commentary.
The answer depends on clarifying what the enquirer means by “fragmented” ( you’d be surprised at the differing views ); and secondly, undertaking a thorough market mapping analysis to confirm where [...]

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 [...]

Competitors and stakeholders can change your life

A former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser once said “life wasn’t meant to be easy”. And it’s true in our changing business world that nothing is gained without hard applied smart effort.
Cash ( particularly free cashflow ) is king. And competitors will take it away from you if your value proposition is [...]

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 [...]

Facing budget cuts…what can you do?

What are your options when budget cuts are imposed?
Plenty…but naturally…it does depend to some extent on your circumstances. Here’s a few pointers…

spend only on activities that support your brand and generate measureable results
postpone lower priority programmes to the next budget year
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Finally… a practical template for market planning

Over the years I’ve seen a lot of marketing planning templates. Most get revised to suit the proprietary needs of the organisation and circumstances ( as they should).
But few are immediately practical…in the sense that they can be applied and utilised quickly.
So we built our own…which I’m happy to share with you. Please email me [...]

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 [...]