Problem Solving is a fundamental life skill indispensable for survival of an individual. It is honed in every person to varying degrees. It is especially a useful skill to embody Leadership Development. Problem Solving skill can be taught and learnt. MIT defines Problem Solving as: The process of identifying a problem, developing possible solution paths, […]
Tag Archives | competitive advantage
6 Strategies for Post-Merger Integration Synergies
A significant number of Mergers remain unsuccessful, because companies do not employ a thorough and disciplined approach to realizing Post-Merger Integration Synergies. In reasons for failure, we hear remarks like: Targets were set several months earlier by the top management without consulting the line managers, or taking ground realities into consideration. Assumption base for setting […]
How Do the Subject Matter Experts (Porter, Mintzberg, & More) Define Strategy?
Strategy is about the methods used to attain goals. It’s the “how” of achieving goals—desired future conditions and circumstances towards which effort and resources are spent until their achievement. If Strategy has any meaning at all, it is in relation to some aim or end in view. Strategy is 1 of the 4 dimensions of […]
Employee Engagement: Measurement & Improvement
Employee Engagement has emerged as one of the significant pillars on which the Competitive Advantage, Productivity, and Growth Strategy of an organization rests. Employee Engagement has many facets. To assess an organization’s current status of Employee Engagement, executives need to devise a measurement system. Measuring Employee Engagement is vital in shaping Employee Engagement Strategies that […]
Can We Transform Employee Engagement into a Competitive Advantage? Yes, Here’s How
Organizations typically focus on Customer-centric Design in their Strategic Planning and overlook the critical driver of Performance, Growth, and Operational Excellence—their employees. With cut-throat competition now the norm the realization has become clearer that employees are: The face of the business and create lasting—or perishing—brand impression. Sources of innovation and organizational knowledge. Representation of the […]
How Do We Drive Growth during Uncertain, Turbulent Markets?
Over the years, hundreds of frameworks around Strategy Development have been developed. Each offers its benefits and drawbacks; and is optimal for certain competitive and organizational situations. When looking to drive growth amidst uncertain, turbulent times, Capabilities-Driven Strategy (CDS) is the framework of choice. As the name suggests, CDS is all about developing sustainable business […]
Just Too Many Processes? Gain Back your Competitiveness through Global Process Optimization
Management processes–everything from how a company manages risk to how it gets supplies for factories to how it manages and develops people–are some of the primary ways that global companies impose order and consistency on a diverse set of global operations. Companies believe that processes can help share knowledge across divisions and regions to achieve […]
What Are Your Distinctive Capabilities That Cannot Be Replicated?
Developed by John Kay, the Distinctive Capabilities Framework captures those capabilities our organization has, which cannot be replicated by competition. Through his research, he identified 3 such “Distinctive Capabilities:” Architecture Reputation Innovation These 3 capabilities are the source of superior performance and sustainable competitive advantage for successful firms. This framework was developed after extensive research by […]
How Compelling Is Your Value Proposition?
First, let’s define Value Proposition. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say: A value proposition is a promise of value to be delivered and acknowledged. Creating a value proposition is a part of business strategy. Kaplan and Norton say “Strategy is based on a differentiated customer value proposition. Satisfying customers is the source of sustainable value creation.” […]
Benchmarking Basics. What Is It and How Do You Do It?
Benchmarking is a very powerful tool many organizations use to not only measure and gauge their performance against competition, but also to push themselves to be best-in-class. Benchmarking is a source of Competitive Advantage and Continuous Improvement (Kaizen). Wikipedia defines benchmarking as: Benchmarking is the process of comparing one’s business processes and performance metrics to […]
Let’s Fix It: Transient Competitive Advantage
In a rapidly morphing world, what was once celebrated as sustained competitive advantage for a company has already become almost an illusion at best. Some companies may have sustained their strong market position and have defended it for a long time–firms such as IKEA, GE, and Unilever. But nowadays, rarely can a company keep up […]
