Inside a Merger that Worked – Oclaro
Two companies merge to gain economies of scale and to create an industry leader. How many times have we heard this story only to be disappointed by the results? Where 2+2 equaled 3?
Posts Tagged ‘business planning’
Debates Without Decisions
Debates are necessary tools, but ultimately decisions must be made. Debates without decisions send your team round and round in circles. Here are the three most common manifestations of this distraction and four strategies for mitigation.
Data Analysis and Obsession
Fact finding and data analysis are essential tools, but you don’t want your team to do double the research needed to “be sure”. That’s obsession. You also don’t want them to slack off in critical areas. That’s foolish. Here are some suggestions on where to draw the line.
Running Out of Money
It’s the rare business that never faces a cash crunch. For most companies, whether privately held or publicly funded, the problem will arise sooner or later. Here’s how to respond when it does.
Spurring Government Bureaucracy to Action – AE Biofuels
Dealing with government regulations can slow a business plan down, especially when you’re dealing with a multi-level bureaucracy. Eric McAfee, CEO of AE Biofuels, went to the top floor of the pyramid to get action.
Strategy Tinkering
First in the 12-part series Defeating Corporate Distraction comes tinkering with a business strategy. This can become a huge distraction when the company and its leadership are driving hard toward a specific goal and complete focus on execution is required.
Recruiting the Right Executives
One of the CEO’s most important tasks is recruiting and maintaining an all-star top team. Here are my key strategies for finding the right executives to move your company forward.
Cross-Linking Supply Chains & Establishing New Value Allocations – Mendel Biotechnology
Building a supply chain is one thing. Cross-linking three existing supply chains in new and unique ways is quite another. CEO Neal Gutterson of Mendel Biotechnology shows how it’s done.
When a Business Tune-Up Isn’t Enough
Project your business trend lines out to 2020. Do you like what you see? Minor tune-ups may not do the job when you need an engine rebuild.
Powerfully Executing for the Upturn
Any business cycle downturn produces unique opportunities for the CEO who is prepared to take advantage. What systems and people should you have in place, and when should you strike?
Robert Sher is founding principal of CEO to CEO, a consulting firm of former chief executives that improves the leadership infrastructure of midsized companies seeking to accelerate their performance. He was chief executive of Bentley Publishing Group from 1984 to 2006 and steered the firm to become a leading player in its industry (decorative art publishing).