When brainstorming solutions to an issue, there are some clear steps that will improve the probability of the output being useful:      1.     Be clear about the problem statement, criteria and constraints      2.     Challenge assumptions ·       We always do it this way / We never do it that way ·       What if…

When you innovate, you improve something to make it less expensive or add more features. When you create, you change the way you look at the world. This new point of view enables you to see new products/services, cut costs, refine processes, or redefine an industry (Source:  BCG). Individuals create; organizations innovate. The idea is creative;…

There have been 1,000 studies in the past 50 years to determine the definitive styles, characteristics, or personality traits of great leaders. A Harvard Business Review article (February, 2007) highlighted that no one can be authentic by trying to imitate someone else. Young & Rubicam CEO Ann Fudge, “All of us have the spark of…

Creativity is unlearned, not learned. 1,600 five year-olds were tested for creativity by NASA to select innovative engineers and scientists, and 98% scored “highly creative.” These same children were tested 5 years later as ten year olds and that score dropped to 30%, then 12% when they were 15. 200,000 adults took the same test,…

47% of the S&P 500’s revenue is coming from outside the U.S.  Emerging markets provide fertile ground for producing and selling products and services. Advantages include favorable demographics and rising middle classes, while drawbacks are new “challenger” companies (Huawei, Vale, Bharti Airtel) and localization decisions (How do you effectively price? Manage margin? Source?). In a…

When Bob became CEO of Disney in 2005, he inherited a hostile takeover attempt, shareholder revolt, board conflict, and fizzling performance. Since then, he has overseen 202% shareholder return through 2013 (stock price raised from $23.81 to $79.23) and a market cap of $130 Billion. When accepting the award he said, “One of the real…

Innovation can look different at each company, depending on the type of innovation.      1. Continuous Adapters – adjusts product portfolio to reflect new trends/consumer preferences         (i.e. McDonald’s is not just “fast” and “convenient,” but now “healthy” and “natural”)      2. Ambidextrous Players – exploits existing strengths and explores new areas   …

Companies with communicated visions have higher revenue growth, higher productivity, and lower project costs (Source: University of Maryland). As Thomas Edison said, “Vision without execution is hallucination.” However, 95% of workers are unaware of their company’s strategic business objectives; thus, they do not know how they can help achieve success for their company (Source: Kaplan…

Our family went on our first Disney cruise recently, and the kids loved it. For me, I was impressed with the staff, which represented 64 countries. They worked seamlessly to provide a wonderful customer experience. A few years ago, I was at a global strategy and leadership conference in Miami that a company’s new CEO…

When I was part of managing a global program, our project plan had a large red block in August for the Europe deployment, because employees in Europe did not work that month. To mark off an entire month was unheard of in other parts of the world, yet expected there. Other examples of changing business…