What does success have to do with smarts? I know middling intelligent people who’ve made it big. Some wrote best-selling mystery books, designed killer products, or sold real estate. Some of these folks seemed like they belonged in Densa not Mensa, the genius organization. Each Brand U has one or multiple core competencies or practices. …
Entitlement is dead – accountability is alive and well. As Brand U’s, we’re responsible for the performance of our process, function, activity, team, plant, or company. Performance management is a direct outcome of self-management and self managed teams. Senior management looked to functional management to operationalize the corporate strategic vision, mission, plans, objectives, etc. Each …
Computer and information technology makes data more available but it doesn’t necessarily make us smarter or help us make smarter decisions. We have access to data, but don’t know what it means or how it should be used. Technology can also overwhelm us. New hardware, software, virtual ware and who knows what ‘ware’ can be …
“For virtually every business in the United States, the implications of economic change are enormous. The rapidly changing and more uncertain environment not only has made corporate decision-making and planning more difficult, but also has significantly increased business risks. Operating successfully in this new environment will require a very different approach to business management. It …
The New Economy is all about time – what Brand U’s do and how they manage it. For example based on your answer to an online health quiz, or laboratory analysis of a strand of hair, a company can manufacture a vitamin just for you. Then every three months you’ll get a fresh supply. If …
Examples of successful Brand U teams are often found in sports and music. For example, a winning football team is an assemblage of Brand U, each of whom has a specific function. Some players may be superstars. However, the winning football team usually has everyone subordinating personal glory to team success. The coach shapes team …
The problem is that McDonald’s has to change due to changing customer tastes. McDonalds brought in a new person to be in charge of its 12,300 US stores. He wants to evolve its sacred menu, stress customer service, and personalize the customer experience. How? The company developed a new cooking system soon to be seen …
Even the best-known brands and icons must be updated. McDonald’s is the world’s most popular restaurant and is also the foremost authority of consistent food quality. McDonald’s is changing because of intense fast food competition and consumer concerns about fat and calories. You’ll even be seeing more white meat and fish at your local McDonald’s …
Through self-development, Brand U’s are encouraged to enhance their skills, knowledge, and capabilities. A company can tell us what needs to be done to meet its strategic goals but we as Brand U’s are ultimately responsible for ensuring we have the skills to do our jobs. We often have resources, broad direction, networks, and even …
Brand U self-development replaces corporate career management or guaranteed employment. Traditionally companies told us what’s necessary to perform a task or job satisfactorily. The company then provided resources, training, and incentives to ensure the task was performed according to company policies, procedures, and expectations. This has now changed as more companies move towards a system …