A ‘world class’ company may have several core competencies or areas of excellence involving core processes, projectized work, low costs, state-of-the-art research and development, critical management abilities, specialized equipment, team effectiveness, competitive culture, technology/know-how, or distribution strengths. Some ‘world class’ companies are well known for one exceptional core capability or process. For example, Daimler-Chrysler develops …
Again, information and knowledge change the rules. A function, title, or position was once the source of authority and power. But, is this the case when an organization is flatter and may be virtual. What’s the source of authority and power? Is it the team leader, facilitator, or coach? Does authority rotate among Brand U’s …
Mark Albion’s Tips for ‘Making a Life: Making a Living’[i] Who are you? Find your passion: Make happiness a habit Keep your walking costs low Take your place at the table of life What do you want? Establish purpose: Know how you measure success Bring your values to work Build a domain of love What …
We’ve been hearing for the last couple of years of new Web models and processes. A company can become humungous developing a new business process. However, there’s no sure Web bet. Companies even within same industries are developing different business models. A key question for all Brand U’s is: ”What’s the best model and which …
Amazon.com has forever redefined the book selling and publishing business. Amazon.com started as an online bookseller. Well it’s morphing its core business, which started as selling books, but now includes collecting customer information and moving into new markets. Amazon is now profiling customers’ desires and bundling products and services that appeal to these customers. Over …
Hammer and Champy in Reengineering Management also proposed that management, specifically functional middle management, fundamentally changes. They meant dramatic, breakthrough change, not an evolutionary or incremental change. Hammer and Champy believe that today’s Brand U managers, will require three skills, which don’t have much to do with traditional management. Managers will evolve into process owners, …
There are many studies that identify the attributes of product success. What makes a product a success can also make you successful. Once a customer or stakeholder is identified, then you can enhance your Brand U value by: Developing new abilities not available by competitors Providing higher value (cost, quality, service, delivery) Finding a better …
New ideas! Hot products! Killer software applications! They’re all the rage these days. Brand U companies want to develop the next hot new product. Brand U entrepreneurs want to develop the next hot new idea. Commercializing technology is taking place at breathtaking speed. What Brand U geeks played with several years ago, we now use …
“Innovating has become the buzz-word of American management. Firms have found that most of the things that can be outsourced or reengineered have been (worryingly, by their competitors as well). The stars of American business tend today to be innovators, such as Dell, Amazon, and Wal-Mart, which have produced ideas or products that have changed …
I’m hooked. Everyday, friends email me Internet humor. I’m pounding on my keyboard and I notice that I need a humor fix. My workday involves pleasing clients, appeasing stakeholders, fixing problems, acquiring/dispensing resources, or resolving disputes. This is the typical stuff of work. And frankly, it’s not always fun. These email jokes make me more …