“Continuous Improvement” is a term management consulting firms love using. It’s also a driving principle behind Lean Management. So, how can we achieve Continuous Improvement in our organization? One of the most common Lean frameworks for Continuous Improvement (of quality) is the Deming Cycle–also commonly known as PDCA Cycle, Deming Wheel, Shewhart Cycle, or Continuous […]
About David Tang
David Tang is an entrepreneur and management consultant. His current focus is Flevy, the marketplace for business best practices (e.g. frameworks & methodologies, presentation templates, financial models). Prior to Flevy, David worked as a management consultant for 8 years. His consulting experience spans corporate strategy, marketing, operations, change management, and IT; both domestic and international (EMEA + APAC). Industries served include Media & Entertainment, Telecommunications, Consumer Products/Retail, High-Tech, Life Sciences, and Business Services. You can connect with David here on LinkedIn.Author Archive | David Tang
Are You Finding It Difficult to Deploy Six Sigma?
As the case with all management models, the theory may come easily, but execution can be tough. The same goes with Six Sigma. To assist with Six Sigma deployment, follow the Six Sigma Maturity Model. The Six Sigma Maturity provides a structured, phased approach to implementing Six Sigma over 5 logical stages. This methodology helps Six […]
How Do We Manage Strategic Change?
Let’s first define Strategic Change. A restructuring of an organization’s business or marketing plan that is typically performed in order to achieve an important objective. For example, a strategic change might include shifts in a corporation’s policies, target market, mission or organizational structure. — BusinessDictionary There’s no doubt that Strategic Change–or any change of such […]
Learn to Affect Customer Behavior Using the Theory of Planned Behavior
How can you change the behavior of your customers? Try the Theory of Planned Behavior. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is an established behavioral psychological theory that links beliefs and behavior. It was developed by Icek Ajzen in 1985 and since been applied to studies of the relations among beliefs, attitudes, behavioral intentions, and behaviors in various […]
The Kano Customer Satisfaction Model
So, you have a robust product roadmap, covering all product features from the most basic to the most innovative. Now, how did you prioritize these features? Did you prioritize things correctly? With limited resources, all organizations strive to prioritize those activities that drive the most value. This is particularly true in product development. Focusing on […]
An Introduction to Market and Customer Segmentation
Segmentation. Everyone’s doing it, but are you doing it right? Although segmentation should help target the right customers, it does not always bring the intended value. Inappropriately or incorrectly defined segments may lead management to make bad strategic decisions. Market and Customer Segmentation defines a number of different groups of people or organizations, which […]
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.” […]
What Is Digital Transformation?
Organizations across all industries are undertaking “digital transformation” projects. But, what exactly is it? And, are they doing it right? At it’s core, Digital Transformation is driven by the tangible shift in the role of the technology within an organization. No longer as purely a support function that enables business processes, technology is now capable […]
Brand Strategy 101. How Can You Make Your Brand Stronger?
Based on research with almost 200,000 consumers across 40 countries, the ad agency Young & Rubicam developed a Brand Value framework called the Brand Asset Valuator (BAV). BAV is based on one of the most extensive research programs on branding ever conducted. Here is the essence of BAV. Brand Value can be measured by applying understanding and […]
What Factors Truly Drive Change?
A couple decades ago, back in 1992, W. Warner Burke and George Litwan collated a number of organizational change models into one holistic view of how organizational structure and design affects change. With this research, Burke and Litwan developed the Causal Model of Organizational Performance and Change, otherwise known as the Burke-Litwin Model. Their seminal framework […]
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 […]
What Leadership Qualities Drive Organizational Performance? (Hint: Trick Question.)
A few decades ago, faculty members at the University of Michigan were researching the major indicators of effective organizational performance. What came from this research was an incredibly useful model for organizing and understanding a wide array of organizational (and individual) topics. These include theories on Organizational Effectiveness, Corporate Culture, Leadership Competencies, Stages of Life Cycle Development, Financial […]
