Managing innovation is an important process only a few organization can master very well. It is because the innovation process is not fully understood or implemented and the innovation culture is still immature. While Innovation Management is recognized to bring in results, excellence has not been achieved in terms of managing innovation. Highly successful companies […]
About Joseph Robinson
Joseph Robinson is the Vice President of Strategy at Flevy. Flevy is a marketplace for business documents--specifically, documents used by folks who work in a business function (e.g. Marketing, Corporate Finance, IT, etc.). These documents can range from Excel Financial Models to customizable PowerPoint Templates to "How-To" Business Frameworks, covering management topics from Digital Transformation to Growth Strategy to Lean Management. You can peruse a full list of management topics available on Flevy here. Prior to Flevy, Joseph worked as an Associate at BCG and holds an MBA from the Sloan School of Management at MIT. You can connect with Mark on LinkedIn here.Author Archive | Joseph Robinson
Redefining the Imperative in Mergers and Acquisitions – The Target Operating Model
When organizations go into Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), its future operating state changes. A fundamental question will arise as to what the Target Operating Model (TOM) of the resultant organization will look like. What is TOM? The Target Operating Model (TOM) represents a clearly defined target structure in which the relevant unit should operate in […]
Need to Have High-Performing Teams? Master the Stages of Team Development
Forming a team takes time. Companies cannot expect a new team to perform well when it first comes together. Members often go through stages as they change from being a collection of strangers to a united group with common goals. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. – Henry […]
Learning the SKS Model and IL/IW/WI Model to Giving Effective Feedback
According to Charles Coonradt, a Management Consultant, “The failure to give appropriate and timely feedback is the most extreme cruelty that we can inflict on any human being.” The feedback project can be stressful. Many people feel fear to ask about their performance. Yet, there are strategies leaders can take on to defuse the stress. […]
The Power of Matrix Management 2.0 – Gaining Market Leadership
Operating a Matrix Organization can be a challenging task. Complex geographical structures, cultural barriers, functional divides, conflicting barriers, and management silos abound. Matrices are often necessary though this may create uncomfortable ambiguity for employees. Most employees in Matrix Organizations are found to be not terribly engaged with their jobs. Engagement is defined as involvement in and […]
Scenario Planning for Consultants – Strategizing The Uncertainties
Major, uncertain shifts in the organization’s environment call for a resilient strategy that will keep the organization either afloat or, better still, ahead of the game. We need a tool that will test the flexibility of our existing strategy against various possible future alternatives. It should be that powerful that it can allow us to […]
Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions – Understanding the McKinsey Feedback Model
According to Ken Blanchard, the co-founder of Situational Leadership, “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” McKinsey is a feedback-driven culture. Their culture has developed better consultants and made sure that there is greater client impact. Even less tenured consultants are expected to provide frequent, upward feedback to their leadership. Providing feedback is critical to helping […]
Be One Step Ahead of the Game! Master the Consulting Framework to Brainstorming
Brainstorming can be a challenge. It can be confusing when not done right. But it can be an effective tool when effectively managed. Mastering the brainstorming technique sets consultants apart. Brainstorming techniques can enable effective consultants to analyze problems in a structured, focused, and logical way. Understanding Brainstorming within Consulting Brainstorming involves the entire problem […]
Taking the Position of Advantage in the Internet of Things (IoT) – Its Opportunities and Challenges
With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), competition has become a different ball game. IoT will soon become a differentiating factor in competition. In fact, IoT is one of the driving emerging technologies behind the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Senior Leaders and Board Members are now required to take a systems approach. This system […]
The 9 Principles of Organizational Design: When Re-designing Becomes a Strategic Priority
Recent McKinsey research results showed that many companies today are in a nearly permanent state of organizational influx. Within the past 2 years, almost 60% of the companies interviewed experienced a redesign while an additional 25% 3 or more years ago. This Organizational Design flurry is due to the accelerating pace of strategic change driven […]
Learning to Unlock the Complexities of a Matrix Organization
The Matrix Organizational structure has a great influence on Project Management. The Matrix has evolved to fill the need of an organization to deal with great project size and complexity. This has increased organizational complexity. However, it has also greatly added to the versatility and effectiveness of Project Management. The Matrix has permitted Project Management […]
Unravelling the Balance of Power in a Matrix Organization
At the heart of the operation of the Matrix Organization is the “Balance of Power” between the Project Manager and Functional Management. Yet, even if there is Balance of Power, the question as to who is the real boss remains to be asked. Theoretically, it should be possible to divide the authority and responsibility equally […]
