The framework to take the decision to outsource elements of your organisation's operations has changed in the 21st century. The long-term consequences of outsourcing without considering the very foundations of organisations are becoming more apparent. The real problem with outsourcing is “fracturing”, the splitting of what should be integrated parts of the organisation.
Read MoreDrucker made it clear that leaders, managers, academics and researchers in the fields of organisations, management, communication and change need to challenge the very foundations and assumptions of their work. Roddick said "we went looking for employees, but people turned up instead." The starting points for all organisations are people and values.
Read MoreThe evidence demonstrates that increasing the involvement of women has markedly beneficial effects on business, both short and long-term. Therefore you would think that Boards and senior management teams striving to do the best possible thing in the interests of the company and shareholders would be clamoring for much greater participation on Boards and in senior management for women.
Read MoreBudget cuts, especially when they relate to labour cuts, have dramatically unkind impacts on the people in your organisation, their morale, the ability to get the work done. They result in long-term hardship to your people (or former people in the case of labour cuts) and their families, as well as having a broader impact on customers and communities. History tells us that budget cuts are often the beginning of the end for companies, leading to eventual closure, takeover or liquidation.
Read MoreOver the last fifty years, the range of key stakeholders for most corporations has been expanding. Corporate responsibility expectations are changing as a result of the influence of key stakeholders, with the consequence of potentially limiting the ability of shareholders and managers to operate in their preferred environment. In the meantime, the more traditional key stakeholders, shareholders, clients, customers, suppliers and staff, are asking for more involvement in organisational operations.
Read MoreIt is important that as Australia creates its strategy for the Asian Century we realise we are well beyond the transactional relationships that apparently continue to occupy the minds of those in government, business and media. Australia needs to work hard to move from the little lot down the road to become part of Asia's back yard.
Read MoreIn the Asian century, business as usual is not enough. Because what we know clearly is there isn't a single aspect of government policies and national planning that won't be touched by the great changes to come. Food security and foreign investment, immigration and education, stock market structures and financial regulation, energy policy and environmental standards.
Read More"This surprisingly refreshing book has given me a different perspective on approaches than can be non-threatening, more flexible and meaningful to audiences within less open cultures. I'd highly recommend it as a hand book to anyone who is looking to make himself or herself relevant as a leader."
Read MoreInstead, she set about making a documentary called Baby, Let Your Hair Hang Down and started working with children who suffer from alopecia. She researched the identity and image problems children suffer as a result of the disease, which can lead to bullying and trauma. This is all on top of continuing her usual work.
Read MoreThe key theme is that in one way or another, price will always be part of your competitive offering. What is important for long-term success is how you define the role price plays. It needs to be the best role for your business, in line with the shared values between yourself and your customers.
Read MoreThe Leader’s Beacon? Dr Martin Luther King Jr used the phrase “a great beacon light of hope” in his famous dream speech. Beacons are both symbolic and practical. They mark the final destination of journeys. They illuminate the path ahead and provide early warnings of possible dangers. They call people together to unite in taking great actions. And, in the case of radio beacons, they help us listen and respond to messages from others.
Read MoreOrganisations should be measuring achievement. Are we reaching our goals, are we moving forward, are we still innovating and delighting our clients. We don’t have the resources and the time to spend on measuring everything we do.
Read MoreVarious Australian governments, by allowing money to talk so loudly, have put themselves into a spiral where this same pattern is repeated over and over. And each time the pattern is repeated, the cost of fixing it becomes higher and higher. Also each time, it is our values, our lives and the futures we are trying to create that are diminished.
Read MoreAs well as being central in Asia and having a heritage with European influences, Malaysia has strong links into the sub-continent, South West Asia, the Middle East and the newer Islamic republics in the region. There will be many business opportunities in these regions in the years to come.
Read MoreMany organisations have failed to see scenario planning as a wonderful method for strategy thinking and planning, yet experience demonstrates that scenario planning produces innovative, practical, inspirational plans that focus on delighting customers and clients.
Read MoreFind an organisation in the news that is attracting a lot of criticism for an aspect of its performance. Look particularly at those where a lot of people are proposing solutions which have a really common feel to them. Identify some underlying long term issues affecting that organisation and see if you can come up with a different solution to everyone else.
Read MoreIn these cases and many others, we are talking about companies with immense experience and excellent reputations. They are managed well and would have crisis and risk management plans. Yet in each case, the consequences exceeded anything they planned for.
Read MoreIf you feel as though your passion is draining because you are spending so much time dealing with corporate policy breaches or reporting; If you feel as though you are having problems achieving in your work because of the barriers and complexities of policies; If you feel as though you need someone in your organisation just to ensure and audit policy compliance even though this position doesn't add to productivity or customer delight:- ... start by challenging and analysing the policy itself before you move on to other explanations.
Read MoreI remember well the stunned reaction of a senior management team when I presented a detailed strategy and action plan that eliminated my own role from the organisation. Before the presentation, I was seen to be talking to a lot of people at all levels of the organisation, therefore I was plotting. It never occured to any of them I would advise they change the nature of my own position and employ a person more suitable to the needs of the organisation.
Read MoreIf you think in terms of perfection, you are setting yourself and your organisation up for failure, and you will be unable to create long term sustainable success.
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