Management Perspective for 2006 Hal Johnson, November/December 2006 As we approach the end of 2006 I found myself thinking back over the year about the general message being delivered by this year’s top management books. According to Amazon, these have been among the top sellers: Good to Great – Jim Collins Blink – Malcolm Gladwell… Read more »
Posts By: Hal Johnson
The Thieves of Productivity – It’s time to go on the offensive!
A recent Harvard Business Review article pointed out that many businesses fail to get the full benefit from their strategies. The article was based on a survey of 197 companies to identify the effectiveness of translating their strategies into performance. What was found is, of the businesses surveyed, they only achieved 63% of the financial… Read more »
The Seven Critical Steps to Great Teamwork
Reading about team work is one thing. Making it happen is a different story. It’s that “execution” thing again. Since this is a major focus for our firm, I thought I would share some of the “how tos” we coach. Step 1 – Build Trust – Trust is foundational to teamwork; it’s where it all… Read more »
Management Triage – Managing Your Most Important Things
A few weeks back I was visiting with Steve Harrison, VP at Sierra Nevada Brewery, one of our clients. We were discussing the amazing feat his company has achieved – exceptional growth yet maintaining excellent financial controls -with exceptionally “thin” overhead. Steve described their process: “we have been very good at identifying the most important… Read more »
Leadership and Risk
I was having breakfast a few weeks ago with my colleague Roger Akers (Akers Capital) and the matter of leadership and risk came up. We both have had fairly extensive experience at observing leaders and how they factor-in the consideration of risk as they address leadership issues in their roles as business leaders. It’s a… Read more »
Leadership and Your Management System
Several of my colleagues and I have the opportunity, and privilege, to get to coach CEO’s. Recently we have been comparing notes on the important relationship between developing and maintaining effective leadership and the type of management system a successful CEO, or a senior manager, uses to achieve his business goals. The one thing we… Read more »
Update Your Firm’s Financial Management
ENTERPRISE From the March 5, 2004 print edition Transition Issues This is the sixth in a series of eight articles on business transition issues. The realization of a business owner’s goals and objectives are dependent on financial performance. Targeting and executing the right outcomes are essential in realizing positive financial results, corporately and personally. Peter… Read more »
Be Sure Managers are Ready to Succeed
ENTERPRISE From the January 23, 2004 print edition Transition Issues This is the sixth in a series of eight articles on business transition issues. In your business are the right people in the right positions and are there successors in training? How effectively are you preparing for the future? Starting with the right management talent,… Read more »
Create and Execute a Strategic Plan for your Company
ENTERPRISE From the November 28, 2003 print edition Transition Issues This is the fifth in a series of eight articles on business transition issues. High-level business achievement starts with a concise strategic plan. The strategic plan needs to be aligned with stakeholders’ values and goals, then executed systematically to achieve the plan. Many have plans;… Read more »
Plan Far Ahead for Change in Ownership
ENTERPRISE From the October 17, 2003 print edition Transition Issues This is the fourth in a series of eight articles on business transition issues. The only certainty in business is that ownership, at some point, will transfer. Ownership transfer should be strategically planned. You can either take what you get or plan what you want…. Read more »