Articles

Getting Pricing Wrong

Article by , April 23, 2018

…for leaders, pricing strategy isn’t a matter of whether or how you should get involved in it. You must. Consistently. Everything you do and every outcome you achieve as a leader is determined by what your price says about your brand, how you are positioned in the market, what your relationship with your customer will be, how long that will last and how profitable your company will be. Pricing starts with you.


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The Traps of Consensus-Style Leadership

Article by , April 13, 2018

Most employees favor consensus-run organizations, where a leader uses inclusion and feedback to manage democratically. A consensus-style leader is a refreshing alternative to the tyrant who issues stern orders. But democracy, taken to an extreme, creates numerous frustrations for direct reports.


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Manufacturing is HOT!

Article by , April 11, 2018

Manufacturing is on fire!  Not only are manufacturers growing but positive press and sentiment are abundant as well.  It went from an oversight to a prevalent news item and a […]


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Conversational Intelligence for Mindful Leaders

Article by , April 11, 2018

Scientists are discovering how conversations cause a rapid cascade of neurochemicals in the brain, laying the foundation for trust or distrust. To remain competitive, leaders must understand the powerful conversational rituals that prime the brain for trust, partnership and mutual success.


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Focused on Falafel: How Naf Naf Grill Simplified Before Expanding

Article by , April 11, 2018

For Small Business Week, the 5/1/17 issue of Crain’s Chicago Business had an article on lessons learned from some of the most successful small businesses in Chicago. One of them was Naf Naf Grill, a Chicago-based chain of Middle Eastern fast-casual dining. Their lesson was on the importance of simplicity and focus, especially before expansion


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Unexpected Connections #35: Tabloid Sales and CellPhones

Article by , April 11, 2018

I’m always looking out for key trends and unexpected (or unusual) connections / correlations in the marketplace. Recently, while stuck in a checkout line at the grocery store, I noticed that I (and others) were using our phones. In the past, people waiting in line used to read the tabloids. It struck me that, now that cell phones are widely available, tabloid sales must be suffering…


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Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Resilience

Article by , April 6, 2018

How we respond to failures and bounce back from our mistakes can make or break our careers. The wisdom of learning from failure is undeniable, yet individuals and organizations rarely seize opportunities to embrace these hard-earned lessons. Emotionally intelligent leaders demonstrate resilience.


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