The list of once-prominent companies that are failing now is growing from the ice-boxes and typewriters: Borders, Blockbuster, Tribune….. Eastman Kodak, founded in 1888, which filed for bankruptcy in January 2012, was slow to move toward digital photography. Fujifilm has thrived due to its imagination for reinvention. 2011 advertising revenue for all US newspapers was…

In 1979, workers received 2.5 weeks of annual training. In 2011, only 21% of the workforce received any training at all. Fewer companies invest in developing new skills, which makes this the “Era for Personal Learning,” as individuals need to take control of their own learning experience and drive a personalized “curriculum.” This will assist…

Diversity of perspective and opinion provide legitimate discussions. A strong leader does not rebuff disagreement, but encourages it to find the better solution. One must challenge their self-assumptions, yet not be a part of consensus group think. The goal is a group’s aligned action, and the by-product result of this is a leader gaining influence….

Recently, there have been some CEO transitions at large companies: Tim Cook (joined Apple in ’98) from Steve Jobs, Virginia Rometty (joined IBM in ’81) from Sam Palmisano. These two new leaders should beware of their peers: HP’s had 3 CEO’s in 13 months, and Yahoo’s had 5 in 5 years. While 23% of organizations…

I asked a tech executive who had been working with a high priced coach what he had learned after a year, and he said, “to be a better listener.” At a financial firm’s CEO off-site meeting–where 2 years ago no one spoke (and was thus considered a waste of time)–a highly planned and structured culture…

According to a 2011 Cornell study, the HR metrics used to study effectiveness include: 58% internal customer surveys 34% HR costs/cost ratio 29% Turnover/retention 21% Performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) 20% Recruiting efficiency 18% Employee engagement 12% People costs 5% HR process completion Besides measuring performance at 21%, none of these are very exciting….

Yahoo’s new CEO [from Google] Marissa Mayer, reported higher than expected earnings recently. She commented on the analysis, stating, “I came to Yahoo to grow and redefine the company.” That is evident from her recent executive hires made since she joined Yahoo 3 short months ago in July. These new hires include a new Chief…

There is a trend of short term contractors pulling together for business projects. Is it a lasting impact of the economy downturn? Maybe it is the benefits of working while not having the complementary frustration of working under a management structure. A management structure does assist in coordinating complex businesses; however, it also slows decision-making,…

I recently heard Sherron Watkins — Enron whistle-blower and Time Magazine Person of the Year, 2002 — speak at an event. Some notes on her perspectives: She was initially reprimanded in 1996 for reporting accounting issues. Optimistic that the truth would win out, she reported her fraud findings to CEO Ken Lay on August 22….

Chaleo Yoovidhya from Thailand recently passed away with $5 Billion in wealth. He lived opposite the image from the product that gave him his wealth — on a private duck farm, and did not give an interview in the last 30 years of his life. Chaleo earned a living raising ducks and selling fruit, until…