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 […]
While global interconnectedness has many benefits, it also creates the risk that events on one side of the world will dramatically and negatively impact companies on the other. This possibility raises the issue of what type of organizational structure and approach has the best ability to thrive in this type of environment. In Nassim Nicholas […]
Particularity when times are challenging, what companies often need the most is an asset that cannot be found on a traditional balance sheet: creativity. While corporations are often not associated with creativity, the track record of businesses in thinking outside of the box is mixed. Some corporations have been responsible for breakthroughs that have completely […]
Corporate valuation often involves forecasting future company performance. While this is sensible because a company’s worth should reflect the economic value it will create in the future, the ability to make forecasts about what the future will be like is extremely limited. This often results in significant valuation errors that have a negative impact on […]
