In the business world’s hall of fame a special place is reserved for Al Ries. He is without any doubt one of the most prominent gurus of strategic thinking. More than 30 years ago, together with his partner Jack Trout, Ries coined the term “Positioning” – a concept which, to these very days, shapes the […]
How do you get the most out of your strategic planning meeting? Practical advice for preparation and follow-up
Strategic planning meetings are a very controversial thing. They have a bit of a reputation to be just another fancy management trend. I have to admit that I, too, have my doubts if all of these meetings are worth the efforts. My experience tells me that there is much truth in Brian Quinn’s famous quote: […]
Banking on the Brand
This is a guest article from Jean-Claude Saade: “Shining a light creates shadows” ― Michael Lewis, Flash Boys The banking sector is developing and facing multiple challenges and many opportunities at the same time. From growing customers’ expectations to the macroeconomic and technological context, change is affecting everything. Yet, the safest bet for banks remains […]
How to position yourself as the central corporate strategic planner – Part 2
How you can build acceptance and credibility as a strategic planner As a corporate strategist in a central function your success depends on the organizations cooperation. The key is that everybody slightly involved in strategy making has to accept you as the central instance. You have to build trust and credibility. In part 1 of […]
How to position yourself as the central corporate strategic planner – Part 1
Why credibility, trust and acceptance are the key success factors for the corporate strategic planner and why they are so hard to gain You’ve got the job of your dreams. Or: You’ve been assigned the task. Or: You’ve been struggling with this task for some time without any progress. You are responsible for your company’s […]
How do you build true team spirit?
Work in teams is part of daily life – in business, in education, in sports and more. We all know that teams with a high spirit and strong sense of togetherness have better chances of success. But how do we actually achieve this team spirit?
The Last Iceman Strategy – high profit potential but no sure-fire success
A Last Iceman Strategy is an approach for products or industries that come to the end of their lifecycle. The last supplier to survive industry decline has the chance to generate significant profits for a long time. You probably know that much. But do you know where this strategy got its name from? Do you […]
In Tough Times, ‘Hyper-Creatives’ Provide Creative Advantage
Every change in the marketplace, every upheaval in the economy, every shift in technology, and every change in consumer attitudes and outlook creates opportunities for successful new products. Since these changes are amplified during tough times, new product opportunities are actually more numerous during economic turbulence. The companies that develop and deploy new products during […]
Financial Modelling for strategic planning – Use these proven best practices to improve results and credibility!
For many strategists, self-developed Excel sheets are the tool of choice to support strategic planning. Despite its popularity, Excel and other spreadsheet programs have their downsides. I have discussed the pros and cons as well as some alternatives in an earlier article. However, by following a set of proven best practices, you can minimize these […]
The Eternal Principles for Creating Luxury Brands
Attracting wealthy customers is potentially very profitable. In order to be successful, it requires different approaches than the regular marketing strategy. Dr. Dan Herman, our guest author, states that this … … involves a deep understanding of their psychological need, of their lifestyle, of the role of brands in their world and in their relationships […]