“Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.” – Wayne Gretzky It’s an oft-quoted saying, and for good reason – we need to set our GPS to the direction we intend to go in. If you’re heading west to California, don’t point your car at the Jersey Shore. That’s not […]
Coalesce to Success
April 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment
As the old saying goes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That’s what it means to “coalesce” – to unite into a whole, bringing together different parts. It’s not just a fun word that rhymes with “success”. It’s a business approach that anyone can tap into. It’s weaving opportunity together, […]
Just Give Me a Beer
January 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Or, why I don’t fear Artificial Intelligence. I spent some time recently with the owner of a pub specializing in a wide – and I do mean wide! – selection of libations. (this picture only shows SOME of what is on tap. Then, there’s all the shelves of cans and bottles…I’m thirsty just thinking about […]
Creating an Uber-Leader
June 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I’ve been following, with some dismay, the downward arc of the career of Travis Kalanick (Uber). He seems like one of many we’ve seen before – a very bright and driven entrepreneur who makes poor decisions and goes off the rails. Such a loss of talent. And the disruptions – so costly to a company. […]
When to Let Your Marketplace Reset Your Compass
October 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment
I am a big advocate for defining direction and strategy in business. We need to be pro-active to set the business compass, and program the GPS. But…sometimes it has to go in reverse. The business (customers and the marketplace and circumstances) may just override all your intentions and define your direction and strategy for you. Or, at least, refine […]
Chaos and Clarity – and Airline Meltdowns
August 12, 2016 By Leave a Comment
What does the recent Delta Airlines computer meltdown have to do with my consulting work? Nothing. But, curiously….everything. Let me explain. Delta – and other major airlines – rely on aging and complex computer systems (hardware and software) that have been built up over the years with varieties of parts and pieces. It’s what […]
How to Catch Your Marketplace Wave
February 3, 2016 By Leave a Comment
In this current blog series, we’re walking through 20 Clarity Questions (see the 6 questions we’ve covered *below) that every company should answer in order to set a clear business focus and direction. Today, let’s begin to think about your Target Market, starting with the 30,000 foot view. Clarity Question #7 – What are the Important Marketplace Trends Shaping […]
How Do You Figure Out Your High-Level Strategy?
August 26, 2015 By 8 Comments
I had an e-mail exchange with fellow solopreneur Stephen Lahey this week about a very cool form he has developed (see: here). This several-page analytical tool is to help other people figure out who their best clients are (and why). I looked it over, liked it, and then made the remark that I wonder how many people […]
How To Say “No” in Business
August 10, 2015 By 1 Comment
This weekend, I received an encouraging newsletter from my friend and fellow solopreneur Stephen Lahey. He said “No” (and I hadn’t even asked him a question!) Here’s what Steve wrote: What Steve is doing is practicing businesss clarity – by having a very clear understanding of what the “Yes” of his business is, he has the […]
The Clients You Don’t Want
July 13, 2015 By 6 Comments
Everyone wants more clients, right? Yes. And, no. What we want is more of the right kind of clients. Which means we have to tune our sensors to recognize the customers we don’t want. Some clients are a good fit for who you are and what you offer. Others may be a source of short-term revenue…and […]
