Growing Technology and Services Businesses
As a consultant, I spend so much time on planes that the noise of a jet engine is a soothing lullaby. But for the people who live near the airport, those same noises can keep them awake at night. Most airports have noise abatement programs in place to balance the needs of community members with … Read more
If I were to create a book group for professionals at any level, whether you’re just starting out or you’re leading a firm, I wouldn’t use books written about management or leadership, or books written for their respective industries. Instead, I’d pick the three general non-fiction books here, on which I’ve built a large part … Read more
The typewriter industry died when it was supplanted by the personal computer. But the typewriter company that realized they were actually experts in selling business machines is now a multi-billion dollar global behemoth. The internet and e-mail destroyed the market for postage meters, but Pitney Bowes is still around because the internet also created new … Read more
When we talk about legacy costs, we usually think about aging capital-intensive industries. Car manufacturers have legacy platforms, facilities, processes, or healthcare costs. Airlines have legacy contracts, aging aircraft, or route networks. We assume that professional services firms can’t have legacy costs: there’s no fixed capital, and the people involved are smart, dynamic thinkers. But … Read more
Whenever I have a conversation about strategy, it’s one of the most common quotes that comes up. Firm leaders want to be like Wayne Gretzky and “Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.” But in business, there isn’t just one puck, and rather than following a straight trajectory, it’s bouncing … Read more