by Jane Adamson | Jul 6, 2010 | Marketing, Revenue Growth, Strategy
Look OUT, not IN! If you’re following our CEO Challenge articles, speaking or consulting work, you’ve heard this mantra a lot. More often than not, answers to your most important business questions aren’t inside your organization; the answers lie out there with your...
by Jane Adamson | May 4, 2010 | Marketing, Revenue Growth, Sales, Strategy
I have a bone to pick with the phrase “The New Normal” and how frequently it’s being tossed around these days. Yes, we’re emerging from a disastrous global economic crisis. In the aftermath of a tsunami, it’s tempting to look around and call the new landscape “The New...
by Rick McPartlin | Apr 6, 2010 | Culture, Directional Unification / Alignment, Marketing, Revenue Growth, Sales, Strategy, Structure
It seems like only yesterday that we were throwing around ideas for what would become the CEO Challenge. It’s been a year now, and we’re so pleased with the feedback we’ve received from clients, colleagues and collaborators. Seems we’ve struck a few chords, and that’s...
by Jane Adamson | Feb 2, 2010 | Cost of Chaos, Directional Unification / Alignment, Strategy, Structure
During the first week of the new year, when we tend to gaze optimistically at the road ahead, a headline from the Associated Press announced “Americans’ job satisfaction lowest in 22 years.” The article then went on to say “That is the lowest level...
by Rick McPartlin | Jan 5, 2010 | Marketing, Strategy
Last month, Jane wrote about the courage to create a brand, and boy, the word “courage” struck an interesting chord within our community. Branding involves making a difficult choice to go after a niche market with laser focus in order to differentiate your...
by Jane Adamson | Dec 1, 2009 | Marketing, Sales, Strategy
Branding is a tricky subject to discuss with small to mid-size companies. It’s a concept that’s more easily associated with consumer products, packaged goods, or the Fortune 500. Branding books use examples like Starbucks, Apple or Dell – examples that don’t resonate...
by Rick McPartlin | Nov 3, 2009 | Strategy
It’s that time of year again — strategic planning and budgeting season. The end of a difficult 2009 and possibly a new beginning for your business. What are you thinking about doing differently next year? Are you setting more ambitious revenue goals, or are you...
by Jane Adamson | Oct 6, 2009 | Revenue Growth, Strategy, Structure
As we all know, this isn’t a good time to raise capital for your company. But surprisingly, it may be a good time to sell. An August 2009 New York Times article (“As Deal-Making Returns, Midsize Companies Are Seen as Prime Targets” by Brent Bowers) proclaimed “The...
by Rick McPartlin | Sep 1, 2009 | Strategy, Structure
Lately I’ve been talking with a lot of CEOs about a concept I call “Best of the Worst” (BOTW). The term is harsh, but many executives quickly realize that yes, their organizations have a lot in common with BOTW companies like, say, GM. In boom times, BOTW companies...
by Rick McPartlin | Jul 7, 2009 | Sales, Strategy, Structure
Last month, Jane wrote “I’m lying awake worrying about sales,” which addressed three late-night revenue-related stresses many CEOs face, including “Is my sales manager doing a good job?” and “Is my star salesperson going to quit?”...
