How To Be Different and Stand Out

Premise: One of the side effect of the explosion of social media is that every one is trying to be seen (views), heard (downloads) and appreciated (likes/shares). In this constant struggle to be seen/heard/appreciated, everyone is trying to be different and unique and authentic. And that is the true challenge. According to National Human Genome Research institute, “All human beings are 99.9 percent identical in their genetic makeup.” Which means that we are all that different from each other genetically. The 0.1 percent that does differentiate us genetically is influenced by our environment, exposure and experience we have had in […]

Tips on Leading a Successful Transformation Effort

Premise: We are living in a world where every organisation is undergoing some form of transition or transformation – forced or otherwise. Another thing we know is that most change efforts fail. Given this background, what can we as leaders do to tilt the probability of success on our side? Here are some suggestions that are offered in the book “Terms of Engagement“. Flow of Information: In any transformation effort, the flow of relevant information between people plays an important role. We, as leaders, need to ensure that we are able to share relevant information with all the relevant stakeholders. […]

Lessons from Orchestra Conductors

In a recent blog post, Sethi Godin talks about how the famous conductors (orchestra) seem to be the only person on the orchestra that don’t make any sound at all and yet are the most important person on the team. He says, and I quote, Famous conductors are often judged for an hour or two on stage. They wear expensive clothes, make dramatic gestures and receive ovations. They also get paid a lot to carry a very little stick and they’re the only one on stage who doesn’t make noise. But it turns out that none of these things are […]

Participating and Hosting Effective Virtual Meetings

Premise:   Can you hear me?   You are on mute.   I can’t hear you.   Let me put on my headphones.   Sorry, I did not understand, can you pls repeat that.   Your voice is breaking off.   There is a lot of echo..   Can everyone go on mute please?   Suddenly, these have become the most used phrase in our lives. Suddenly, we are in a place where all travel and the perks that come along with it, have vanished and we are expected to continue to be productive while working virtually.   Everything from […]

Four insights on Achieving Resilient Growth Consistently

The best selling authors of the book – Blue Ocean Strategy, recently sent an email in which they speak about the 4 pieces of advice they give to their customers on how to build resilient growth for their organisations. Here are the 4 pieces of advice. 1. Focus on building a healthy, balanced portfolio of market-competing and market-creating strategic moves. Both are important. While market-competing moves generate today’s cash, market-creating moves ensure tomorrow’s growth.   2. Don’t wait for growth to slow to make market-creation a strategic priority.Prepare in advance. You’ll be buffered by your market-creating move in a downturn cycle […]