Here’s a great article about the extraordinary feat being attempted tomorrow by Michael Fournier, a retired French paratrooper. He’s going to ascend 25 miles above the earth in a hot air balloon and then skydive back to earth, breaking 4 world records and traveling at supersonic speeds from, yes, 130,000 feet above the earth! It’s a fascinating and complex undertaking, far more involved than you may think. You can read about his incredible exploit here.
For one fresh approach to the business world, read about the Wexley School for Girls – which is exactly what it isn’t!
You should also read Suzy and Jack’s Welch’s column this week about How to Bust into the Big Leagues.
At a minimum, these quick reads will remind you that there are unique solutions to every problem if you ignore conventional thinking. At best, they will stimulate you to attack a thorny problem from the underside where you haven’t really been looking!
In the May 26 issue of Business Week, Best Buy is celebrated for empowering its store managers to think locally about micro-markets that could provide differentiated selling opportunities. Here’s the key point: As a result, Best Buy believes it sames-store sales will be up 1-3% this year despite the sluggish economy! So, managers have targeted returning veterans, retirement groups ($350,000 in one morning), visiting ship workers (sales up 67%) and others to create special offerings. Read it to stimulate your own thinking about the value of empowerment and the micro markets that might be sitting right in front of you.
The April issue of the Harvard Business Review carried an article entitled Can You Say What Your Strategy Is? In short, the authors, David Collis and Michael Rukstad, describe a framework to create a sound statement of strategy that everyone in the company can internalize and use to guide their choices and priorities.
I can’t say I entirely agree with
Pricing strategy is paramount these days as we face an unpredictable economy with limited future visibility. It’s part of a broader strategy, of course, but one of the first things that executives jump to when prices come under fire.
Note the different approach to this subject from an AP story carried in today’s SF Chronicle identified opposing trends for the
I’m always intrigued by the application of revolutionary strategy concepts to established businesses and in the past few days, I’ve noticed several provocative reports that dramatize businesses seeking innovative ways – or not – to look at their business. The New York Times on Saturday carried an article about F.A.O. Schwarz & Macy’s that you couldn’t miss if you’ve paid
Once again, Jack Welch and I are communing about common business issues – in this case, the family business. In the May 19 edition of Business Week, Jack and Suzy Welch respond in their Welchway column to a question about the big concerns facing business over the next 10 years.
Jack is a legendary, corporate chieftain but with little experience
Like me – until now – you may have missed the recent Business Week article about family business and the value of a family “constitution” to spell out the Company’s vision and set forth important guidelines for relationships, stock ownership, prerequisites, behavior and other attributes to create “rules of the road” among family members. The article includes a brief, but
Dennis Zeleny, an established HR professional and frequent contributer to Forbes magazine, contributes another POV in a growing list of articles about How to Lead in Tough Times. I think his key points are right on, and represent a compelling summary of key elements of leadership for all times:
Welcome to Exkalibur. I’m Lary Kirchenbauer, President of Exkalibur Advisors, Inc. Please take advantage of our resources to help you build your business ... and let me know what more we can do to serve you.
Read my latest column from the NY Times affiliate, the North Bay Business Journal.
Lary has been a tremendous asset to our company. His experience and knowledge provides our young company with the type of financial and business guidance needed to facilitate our continued growth. In addition to Lary's efforts in raising capital for our company, he has assisted Multimedia Live in both extensive business planning, as well as continual ongoing monthly financial and strategy analysis of our business. I have found this to be an invaluable service.
Ken Burke, CEO, Multimedia Live, Inc.
