The Power of Omoiyari: Rethinking Customer Focus in the Digital Age


Japanese Philosophy

One important consequence of the rise of borderless markets and digitalization has been the Great Strategy Shift – the increasing strategic focus of companies on customers. Digitalization, however, is a two-edged customer engagement sword. While it creates unprecedented opportunities to connect with customers worldwide, the very technology that permits new levels of customer engagement can […]

November 11, 2024

The Economics of Delegation and Competitive Ability


Scalable Ideas

What are the key components of competitive advantage? When many people think of competitive strengths, they think of talented teams, innovative products, cutting-edge technology, and financial resources. However, a less commonly discussed yet extremely powerful tool to increase competitive ability is delegation. Effective delegation optimizes a company’s use of its resources, allowing it to compete […]

November 8, 2024

Overcoming Horizontocracy in Flat Organizations


Decision Making

Endless meetings where the best-case outcome scenario is agreeing to disagree. Vague role definitions that leave everyone uncertain about their and others’ responsibilities. Time-sensitive work trapped in a relentless loop with no resolution pathway. Redundant processes that resemble an Escher staircase, focused more on endless repetition than progress. Sound familiar? If so, your company might […]

November 4, 2024

The Super Wicked Problem of AI-Driven Market Disruption


Risk Management

One of the most complex types of challenges businesses and society face is what are called “super wicked” problems. These are problems that often have multiple causes, there is no consensus regarding how to solve them and attempts at solutions can make the problems even worse. One super wicked problem businesses are currently facing is […]

October 31, 2024

Leveraging Design Thinking for Breakthrough Solutions


Scalable Ideas

Design thinking is a powerful tool to find solutions to complex problems. Focusing on trying to deeply understand the people affected by a challenge, design thinking uses a multi-perspective, collaborative, and iterative approach to do things better. Due to its effort to eliminate bias and explore new ideas, design thinking can lead to unexpected solutions […]

October 29, 2024

Learning from Lamborghini’s Culture of Innovation


Innovation

Lamborghini is one of the world’s most iconic car brands, globally known for its bold design, luxury, and performance. However, fewer people may be familiar with the brand’s history and the culture of innovation that has driven its success. By understanding Lamborghini’s journey, companies in all industries can glean valuable lessons on how to foster […]

October 20, 2024

To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade: Evaluating Strategic Technological Changes


Technology

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 […]

October 12, 2024

Uncontested: Capturing Blue Ocean Market Opportunities


Scalable Ideas

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 […]

October 7, 2024

Beyond Focus: Applying Ten Principles of Kyudo to Business


Japanese Philosophy

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 […]

October 1, 2024

The Path to Fundraising Success: Creating a Fundraising Roadmap


Capital Raising

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. […]

September 22, 2024