Crafting a Robust Corporate Strategy: Learnings from Apple’s Ecosystem

Avoid strategic blindness by developing three distinct “sights”

In a typical business environment, the need for robust “sights”—foresight, insight, and cross-sight—often arises from market disruptions, competitive pressure, and growth stagnation. These “sights” become critical tools for executives aiming to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Whether it’s leveraging unique assets to fend off competitors or reevaluating strategy due to market changes, these guiding perspectives are essential for informed decision-making and sustainable growth.… Read more

REVISITED; Laddering up with the Partnership ladder

Partnering is tough; in 2020 i highlighted this in a post about partnering

I’ve seen firsthand how partnerships can create significant value for organizations, in fact most of my business life was in managing joint-ventures and partnerships, and my own organisation was a partnership. In revising this post, I have added a section on why i see trust being the essential glue in Asian partnerships and why contractual relationships tend to fail,

Partnering in business is a crucial strategy organizations can use to create value for themselves (and their business partners).… Read more

What’s business trust

I’m off to Doha soon, and assisting a major client assist SME exporters enhance their performance.

One critical topic I’ll be engaging with our participants about is trust, and the role trust plays in business

Trust is a critical component of any successful business relationship. Whether it’s between employees, managers, customers, or partners, trust is essential for effective communication, collaboration, and decision-making.… Read more

We’ve got it wrong … we’re looking at business the wrong way

Company lifecycles? WRONG way to think… here’s something better….

“Companies don’t pass through life cycles, opportunities do.” (from Donald Sull, The Upside of Turbulence,)

The most critical business leadership capability is the ability to discover and then capitalize on the changing opportunities that market turbulence creates. 

It’s the Opportunity that has the lifecycle… Discovery,  Start Up, Scale, Mature, and Decline.  Then Leaders must assess the lifetime and value of the opportunities on offer.… Read more

80 Percent of Frequent B2B Buyers Have Switched Suppliers at Least Once Within a 24-Month Period

Despite Covid difficulties, your business is still a leaky bucket

Many companies that i engage with have reported that selling was incredibly difficult during covid. it was difficult if not impossible to meet with buyers. Some buyers were reluctant to make decisions ”on line”. So the reasoning went if its impossible to sell, then we’ll retain our business over Covid because of ”inertia”.… Read more