Best-Practices Leadership

Leonardo da Vinci would like a word with you

August 9, 2017
By looking at the world in unusual ways, da Vinci made his surroundings fascinating and found the many challenges and wonders within them. Your job is such a wonder-filled place, whether you realize it right now or not.

3 ways to generate profit with the data you already have

August 2, 2017
In order to monetize your data, you need a different approach, one that starts by turning the process on its head.

To win customer loyalty, get your eyes checked

July 27, 2017
Improving the customer experience, says Jay Forte, consultant and president of The Greatness Zone, starts with understanding the importance of noticing: aggressively examining the little things that are working and the things that are not.

Adopt ‘of course, but maybe’ mantra

July 19, 2017
Relying on what has worked in the past does not guarantee a better future. Sometimes, you need to buck conventional wisdom and start anew. Try Instacart founder Apoorva Mehta’s approach.

Post-it notes’ success, step by step

July 11, 2017
Many 3M engineers, production staff and salespeople doubted that any market existed for Post-it notes because scrap paper was already free. But Art Fry persisted, proving that all great ideas still must be sold.

What do you really know about your customers?

July 5, 2017

Knowing which customers are spending more or less is the ultimate metric for tracking and analyzing performance. Understanding customers starts with collecting data, and then translating data into insights to be more relevant—and loyal to—your customers. Ask yourself and your leadership team these questions.

Bringing CEO pay back to earth

June 14, 2017
A better future for America includes a retooling of the CEO pay machine that now includes salary, stock, options, “non-equity incentives” and other perks—in other words, a machine out of sync with employee compensation.

Outside-the-box thinking? So passé!

June 9, 2017
Perhaps you’ve heard that innovators think “outside the box.” That’s old news. Given the complex interconnectedness of today’s economy—and technology’s ever-expanding reach—there’s a new way to approach innovative thinking.

A real nice problem to have

June 6, 2017
What keeps Elon Musk up at night is not futuristic at all. It’s the overstuffed parking lot outside his office window.

Why aren’t you celebrating failure?

May 26, 2017
Most leaders like to celebrate success. But if you want employees to innovate, think about the benefits of celebrating failure, too. After all, no less sweat, toil or creative energy goes into major projects that don’t happen to pan out.