If you didn’t get to know Mark, the resources I share in this article will make your life richer. Mark built an incredible legacy, the warm and kindhearted person he was, witty and powerfully eloquent. Originally a UCLA professor of psychiatry for over 25 years, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer, Mark […]
In memoriam: Dr. Mark Goulston Read Post »
Most vision statements I’ve seen in fact aren’t vision statements. They are aspirations, inspirations, or slogans. Something businesses would publish on their websites. But nowhere close to being a vision in the sense of this definition: Vision can best be defined as an organization’s desired state at a certain point in the future. Function: It
How to Write a Great Vision Statement Read Post »
In my first book, Secrets of Next Level Entrepreneurs, I made the point that business strategy is a must-have hard skill for leaders. No matter the size of a business, there is no way they can be successful over the longterm without a clear understanding of what strategy is and how to create it. If
Why is there so much Strategy Talk, yet so little Great Strategy? Read Post »
The fish stinks from its head. A sentence describing that issues in a business can usually be traced back to the executive table. And that’s what typically happens. We’re quick to blame executives for a lack of leadership, a lack of business strategy, a lack of setting the tone for the desired culture. The reality
The Fish Stinks from its Head: When Boards of Directors Cause More Harm Than Good Read Post »
What’s the job of an executive leader? So many thoughts come to mind. But in a nutshell it comes down two two things: they’ve got to define the choices to win in a company’s chosen marketplace (that’s business strategy) and make sure everyone’s vibing on the same frequency (that’s company culture). Crafting a Business Strategy
The Essence of Executive Leadership: Nailing Business Strategy and Culture Read Post »
This is an excerpt from an interview with Alex Brueckmann that was first published by Authority Magazine – read the full interview here. In order to make sure that we are all on the same page, let’s begin with a simple definition. What does Operational Scalability mean to you? At its core, operational scalability is
This feature of Alex Brueckmann is part of Exeleon Magazine’s listing of The 100 Most Dynamic Leaders of 2023. Check out the entire issue and listing by clicking on this link. Brief us about your journey. What prompted you to shift from music to management studies and business strategy? Following 9/11, I had lost my job
100 Dynamic Leaders Award: Facilitating Strategies that Impact Businesses Read Post »
Wayne Gretzky, often hailed as the greatest hockey player of all time, holds a legacy that transcends the rink. Beyond his exceptional skills on the ice, Gretzky’s mindset and approach to the game offer valuable insights that resonate far beyond the realm of sports. His strategies, adaptability, and leadership qualities can be applied to various
What Wayne Gretzky Teaches Executives About Strategy Read Post »
Strategic decision-making is a crucial aspect that determines the success or failure of organizations. In executive meetings and boardrooms, diverse perspectives often collide. Sometimes they lead to innovation and growth. Sometimes, the outcome is less positive. And that’s where I often hear the phrase “let’s agree to disagree” – a sentence that hinders progress and
Leadership demands not only vision but the confidence to act on that vision. Yet, many leaders find themselves wrestling with doubt, which can hinder their ability to make strategic decisions. Doubt is a natural part of leadership, and it’s how you manage and conquer it that defines your ability to steer your business toward a
Overcoming Doubts: 7 Challenges Leaders Face with Business Strategy Read Post »
Exceptional customer experiences are the bedrock of small and big businesses looking to stand out in the market. These experiences transcend mere transactions and create lasting connections with customers. To understand what makes these experiences exceptional, I share six success factors using inspiring examples from real businesses. 1. Empathy and Understanding Zappos is renowned for
6 Essential Ingredients for Exceptional Customer Experiences Read Post »
A business strategy typically addresses a mid-term time horizon of three to five years. Businesses should also explore what lies before and beyond this timeframe. To complement their strategy (mid-term), organizations need foresight (long-term) and signalling (short-term). Signalling addresses the immediate future, and foresight explores what’s beyond the planning horizon of the current business strategy. Identifying
Designing a Business Strategy – Between Foresight and Signalling Read Post »
When a client had just completed a merger, they were shooting for the top spot in the market. While the physical aspects of the merger, such as housing and IT, went well, the cultural merger was dragging behind. The company struggled to overhaul work procedures and create a general work philosophy across all units. As
How to Solve Your Company’s Communication Issue Read Post »
(Watch the keynote on personal branding for executives and entrepreneurs that I gave at the World Marketing Summit) Personal branding has become a game-changer for executives who want to stand out from the noise of our busy business world. It’s not just about logos and slogans; it’s about shaping how others see you and aligning
Unleashing Your Executive Personal Brand: Elevating Success and Making Your Mark Read Post »
Executive Summary: The dangers of neglecting strategic skills in leadership development Leadership development programs have long been mainly about so-called soft skills. Participants learned how to communicate more smoothly, delegate better, or manage conflict in their teams. Programs taught coaching skills for leaders and explored emotional intelligence. The main promise of human resources (HR) functions
Building People Skills Is No Longer Enough Read Post »
Scaling a high-growth startup from $1million to a lofty 100 million is a monumental achievement. The path to such exponential growth is riddled with numerous barriers that founders and leadership teams must navigate, from market fit and scalability to leadership skills, strategic focus, and beyond. Here’s how to overcome the top 5 barriers that stand
From $1mn to $100mn: The Top 5 Barriers That High-Growth Companies Need to Overcome Read Post »
Business myths are often perpetuated and become widely accepted as truth, despite being far from accurate. Let’s debunk four common myths: that work-life balance as the key to happiness, that sustainable businesses cannot exist at scale, the assumption that the customer is always right, and the misconception that failure is always bad. Myth #1: Work-Life
Busting Business Myths: Four Misconceptions That You Should Let Go Read Post »
In the wild world of business, catchphrases run rampant, sparking debates and raising eyebrows. One such catchphrase that tends to get a reaction out of me is “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Now, hold on a second! Let’s dig deeper into why this phrase makes me cringe and explore the fascinating relationship between strategy and
Nurturing Success: The Dynamic Dance Between Strategy and Culture Read Post »
If you want to make sure that people ‘get it’ – make sure you get them. Start by untying two knots: structure & content of your communication. Let’s talk structure first: Inspired by my friend Chris Atkinson‘s book on engaging audiences I use OMEC, which stands for Opening, Message, Evidence, Close. Here’s the first big knot that we need to untie – focus
Two Knots to Untie to Win Your Audience Over Read Post »
Purpose has become a popular buzzword in many organizations, with companies proudly proclaiming their commitment to noble causes. However, merely having a purpose is not enough to create real change. Purpose refers to an organization’s intent or reason for existing beyond profit. Impact is the effect an organization has on its stakeholders and the world.
Moving Beyond Purpose: Aligning Strategy and Impact for Meaningful Change Read Post »
