Making good decisions is highly challenging. Difficult choices with far-reaching implications often have to be made very quickly, with limited information, and in the face of disagreement about the best course of action. Complicating this further, decisions are not made in prejudice-free or value-free vacuums but are heavily affected by many cognitive, emotional, and organizational […]
In any discipline, there is a gradual process of first learning techniques and then studying the principles behind them. Yet an even higher level of mastery lies in transcending technique and principles and attaining a state where actions are dictated by what the situation requires. Going beyond principles is a key part of Musashi Miyamoto’s […]
Regardless of a company’s size, history, or market position, it can always benefit from analyzing how other companies do business. Studying other approaches is a key part of Musashi Miyamoto’s classic work on swordsmanship, The Book of Five Rings. This fourth article in a Special Five-Part Series takes five principles from Musashi’s work and demonstrates […]
Regardless of whether we are designing strategy, selling products, or negotiating a contract, we are constantly either taking action or reacting to things around us. Taking the initiative is critical in Musashi Miyamoto’s classic work on swordsmanship, The Book of Five Rings. This third article in a Special Five-Part Series takes five principles from Musashi’s […]
For individuals and companies, to remain competitive we must get better and better. Constant improvement is a key point in Musashi Miyamoto’s classic work on swordsmanship, The Book of Five Rings. This second article in a Special Five-Part Series takes five principles from Musashi’s work and demonstrates how they can be used in business. The […]
Musashi Miyamoto was a swordsman who lived in Japan from 1584 to 1645. Throughout his life, he fought 61 sword fights and never lost. He wrote his principles of swordsmanship down in a well-known book, The Book of Five Rings. While written over 370 years ago, many of the book’s principles can be applied to […]
Strategic growth is crucial for almost every firm, regardless of industry, size, and location. But what does strategic growth mean? Entering into new markets? Expanding a firm’s products and services? Increasing revenues? While growing in size is a powerful rallying force for firm management, employees, and shareholders, it also can require significant expenditures and expose […]
Why do many business initiatives fail even though companies have extensive resources, great teams, and sufficient time? One of the reasons why business plans do not succeed is because they do not have the required level of organizational buy-in. One way to increase institutional commitment is through nemawashi, a form of Japanese consensus building. This […]