A key challenge for many companies is deciding whether to significantly upgrade their existing technology. This decision is critical because outdated technology can restrain business growth and reduce competitiveness. However, implementing new technology creates risks—if the implementation is unsuccessful, the company may end up in a worse position than before. Given the potential for major […]
Entrepreneurs, as well as established companies, continually look for growth opportunities. One of these opportunities is entering into blue ocean markets with large potential but little competition. But how can blue ocean spaces be identified and targeted before competitors find them? What factors make the emergence of these market spaces more likely? What are the risks […]
Kyudo, the ancient Japanese art of archery, has roots that are more than 2,000 years old. While the practice involves shooting an arrow at a physical target, its deeper objective is to eliminate distractions, overcome mental obstacles, and achieve harmony with one’s surroundings. These principles are highly applicable in business, where staying focused on goals […]
Capital raising is critical for many companies. While fundraising has many challenges, a well-structured and comprehensive plan can significantly increase the likelihood of raising capital on the most favorable terms possible. One key element of the capital raising plan is creating a fundraising roadmap—a detailed guide outlining each fundraising step from setting goals to closing. […]
One way firms can build value is through kaizen, a Japanese management concept that focuses on making small, continuous improvements to processes, systems, and practices. After contrasting two value-creation approaches, this article explores how companies can apply kaizen to increase operational efficiency, remove barriers to growth, and strengthen their competitive position. Two Value-Building Approaches All […]
In a world that emphasizes perfection, mistakes are often seen as things to avoid. However, the Japanese ceramics practice of kintsugi views cracks and defects as integral features to be highlighted rather than concealed. This practice offers valuable insights for businesses. Rethinking our perceptions of imperfection can broaden our understanding of business experiences, reduce the […]
Due to changes in markets, competition and corporate culture, the organizational structure of many companies has become increasingly horizontal. This shift has dramatically changed traditional concepts of leadership. This article discusses leadership dynamics in horizontal organizations, how firms can promote leadership abilities and how all people can become stronger leaders in flatter work environments. The […]
Creating business strategy often involves selecting a meta-strategy objective and then designing specific sub-strategies to drive that objective based on market conditions, company resources and company DNA. One of the most common meta-strategy objectives is maximizing short-term economic opportunity. While this can generate high returns on company resources, it can leave a company economically exposed […]
The Pareto Principle posits that 80% of results come from 20% of causes. While this is a generalization that certainly does not apply in many cases, marked asymmetries between causes and effects have many important business implications, from how strategy is designed to how resources are allocated. For entrepreneurs and companies, a key challenge as […]
As the global economy has evolved and competitive dynamics have changed, the organizational structure of many companies has become flatter. While this shift has facilitated economic growth and cross-functional innovation and problem solving, it has also created unique corporate challenges. Without agreed decision-making procedures and values, horizontal decision-making can become inefficient, cause companies to drift […]