Bear with me: this one’s going to get all abstract on you before it comes back to earth. Tiha von Ghyczy is a fellow of the Boston Consulting Group’s Strategy Institute, and teaches at Darden Business School. In the current issue of BCG’s long-standing Perspectives series, he writes about the concept of space in strategy: […]
Put six toothpicks on the table in front of a friend. Lay three of them in the shape of an equilateral triangle. Ask your friend to arrange all six toothpicks so that in total, they create four equilateral triangles. When they finally give up, reveal the secret:—create a four-sided pyramid. The “trick” is to think […]
Thank you very much to everyone who read, commented or linked to these posts. Trust Tip 14: More Hard Talk about Soft SkillsEveryone knows you’re supposed to listen with your complete attention. But how can you do that if you’re thinking about what you’re going to say next? The answer is, you can’t. Here’s how […]
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Pfizer Inc. said last week it would cut its U.S. sales force by about 20 percent, or some 2,200 jobs, as part of a comprehensive cost-cutting program. Good move. Wrong reason. Pfizer is the world’s largest pharmaceutical maker, with a vaunted sales force. The cut is big news. But at least […]
Here are two provocative takes on the issue of trust in corporate governance. One comes from Jim Peterson at the International Herald Tribune; the other from the multi-talented Ben Stein (yes, that Ben Stein). Peterson, in Can Shares for Directors Fill In for Virtue? takes a side swipe at the prevailing wisdom of compensation consultants, […]
Don’t worry: this is not a political blog, nor about to become one. In 2000, Sen. John McCain campaigned for the presidency from his bus, the Straight-Talk Express. His image and strategy were about being the Man you could Trust to Tell you the Truth. In November, 2003, John McCain said: "Ethanol is a product […]
This is a simple tip with outsized impact. How many people have not returned a call (or email) you placed to them 3 days ago? 4 days ago? 5 days ago? Think about what those non-actions cost you. They create a low-grade, chronic, sub-conscious tension, a sense of annoyance and resentment that you can’t do […]
The scandal du jour is options backdating. Recently, it was illegal snooping by a Board Chairman. We’ve seen late-trading and front-running charges at mutual funds, payoffs and rigged bids in the insurance industry. We’ve seen over-reported oil reserves, and under-reported profits. The mothers of all recent scandals—Worldcom and Enron—have pretty much wound down. In perhaps […]
Let’s say your 17-year old daughter wants to have a few friends over when you’re out of town overnight. Do you say: a. No way, unless (no more than three friends, only girls, gone by 10PM, neighbor checks in, etc.) or, b. okay, and I expect you to behave responsibly or you’ll be grounded for […]
First, I want to thank all those who have commented on this blog in its early weeks. I appreciate, it and so do the many other readers who have yet to make the jump to commenting themselves: to whom I’d say, come on in, the water’s fine! Maureen Rogers Brooks Sackett Steve Smith David Andrew […]