Following the Second World War, the allies determined that if the enemy nations were going to be able to make meaningful contribution the world’s economies, then they would have to receive some assistance in rebuilding their manufacturing infrastructure. A particular challenge was to get the Japanese up to a point where they could actually compete […]
In corporate circles, there’s a phenomenon known as the last mile. This problem was initially identified in the telecommunications industry, and it was this: How can you get a signal to the end of the line that’s as strong as it is at the beginning. This is especially true today with internet connections. The further […]
Companies have been served a wake up call in light of the recession and ongoing economic uncertainty. They are being driven to become more efficient while at the same time improving levels of quality and service. As a result, the shared services model is becoming an increasingly popular organizational structure to help achieve business objectives. […]
Whenever volatility occurs in the market, companies start thinking about how to reorganize themselves so that they can cope with those changes effectively. But since they’re trapped by traditional thinking, they tend to recycle old models rather than to create new ones. One such model is matrix; and like so many that have gone before […]
In physics, Velocity is known as an object’s rate of change with respect to its location. Velocity is not the same thing as speed. Speed is very important when it comes to the time-value of money, bandwidth, profits, and costs. The problem with using speed as a measure of progress is that it only tells […]
Companies like to think of themselves as having up-to-date thinking. They assume they are of the 21st century ilk because they’ve flattened their hierarchies, removed unnecessary levels of management, and empowered their employees. The truth is that many of them are just as traditional as they’ve always been. They still think about how to manage […]
History is a funny thing. For one reason or another, it keeps repeating itself. Despite the fact that world knowledge is accelerating – it’s doubling at the rate of about once per year – many have forgotten to put on their “thinking caps.” Mindlessly, it seems, they have embraced what has become one of the […]
[Excerpt from HBR Blog Network] A survey evaluating a team’s performance can be a powerful tool for making that team more effective. And the first message that consultants and HR professionals often communicate on these surveys is: “To ensure that the team gets the best data and feels protected, we will make sure responses are […]
Jesse Jacoby
