In the CEO Afterlife

JANUARY 30, 2012

In my blog of two weeks ago, entitled The Leadership Love-In [link] I reiterated the never ending need for better leadership. I also extended kudos to a handful of passionate leadership bloggers who I consider to be experts in their field (links listed below). Leadership Bloggers I follow: Mike Myatt at [link].

McCarthy 212

McCarthy Leadership Crisis Management Sports 212

In the CEO Afterlife

JULY 10, 2011

Leadership. Green Company, Red Products, Black Ink. by John • July 10, 2011 • Leadership , Strategy • 0 Comments. Here are just a few of the company’s sustainability achievements: 1. A 4 acre pond captures rain water and runoff. Leadership. In the CEO Afterlife. Main menu Home. About John.

CEO 112

CEO Productivity Products Company 112

In the CEO Afterlife

AUGUST 29, 2011

Leadership. Clout as Strategy and Why Companies Won’t Admit It. by John • August 29, 2011 • Human Resources , Leadership , Strategy • 2 Comments. Articulating how a company will become the biggest and the best is the strategy. 2 Responses to Clout as Strategy and Why Companies Won’t Admit It.

Strategy 131

Strategy CEO Company Competitive Advantage 131

In the CEO Afterlife

SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

Leadership. by John • September 12, 2011 • Human Resources , Leadership , Strategy • 4 Comments. Ever since the Tylenol tampering recall of 30 years ago, the performances of companies in crisis have come under public scrutiny. They live and breathe the company culture. In the CEO Afterlife. Main menu Home.

Crisis Management 268

Crisis Management Crisis CEO Management 268

In the CEO Afterlife

MARCH 11, 2012

Ever since I started blogging about leadership and strategy, I’ve been harping about the notion of “doing less, better” as a business modus operandi. They think companies have to “do more and more” to get bigger and bigger. Last year, Booz & Company conducted a broad study amongst 1,800 executives on the power of focus in business.

Reference 226

Reference Execution CEO Survey 226

In the CEO Afterlife

OCTOBER 7, 2013

The problem is outdated, entrenched male-oriented cultures that refuse to recognize or promote the value of diversity in corporate leadership. But, declining bench strength guarantees that corporate boards will continue to struggle to find qualified leaders for the unique needs of their particular company or industry. Some eyes welled.

Diversity 200

Diversity Mentor Human Resources Human Capital 200

In the CEO Afterlife

JULY 2, 2013

The focus of innovation within high-tech and new-age companies is the product itself; once these companies carve out product differentiation, they call on marketing for the sizzle that sells the steak. Airlines, cable providers, telecommunication firms, and credit card companies promise customer service every day.

Marketing 257

Marketing Levitt Telecommunications Brand 257

In the CEO Afterlife

MAY 20, 2014

Leadership. Culture is the state of mind that says, “These are the things that really matter in this company. Some companies thrive on innovative cultures. This is a corollary to leadership and strategy but it is also a core value that must permeate the entire organization. Here are the 4 best bargains in business: 1.

Real Estate 215

Real Estate Human Resources Bureaucracy Constraint 215

In the CEO Afterlife

JUNE 16, 2014

If you were looking for a new job, which of the following fictitious companies might you be most interested in pursuing? This tells me that you favor industries and companies that offer a higher moral purpose. The vast majority of companies and industries are engaged in products and services that are morally neutral.

Morale 215

Morale Human Resources Crisis Management Crisis 215

In the CEO Afterlife

MAY 22, 2013

Every day we see or read about superb acts of leadership. The Conference Board suggests that the pressure of serving as the CEO of a large company in an increasingly competitive global marketplace has resulted in more voluntarily shorter tenures, implying that CEOs are leaving on their own terms after fewer years on the job.

CEO 260

CEO Human Resources Conference Price 260

In the CEO Afterlife

FEBRUARY 19, 2012

Theoretically, the principles and personal characteristics that constitute great leadership should mirror those of greats CEOs – but not always. Here’s why: By definition, the person who fails to deliver quantitative business results for the company he. leads is not a great CEO (of that company). Same leader, different result.

CEO 213

CEO Human Resources Bureaucracy Maturity 213

In the CEO Afterlife

MARCH 15, 2012

Steve Jobs and Larry Page took note of the environment in which their companies would operate but fretted little about it. To be unaware of, or to discount changing environments would be a leadership mistake. Peering into the future by a decade, I expect to see little change in the definition of leadership.

CEO 242

CEO Chief Executive Officer Critical Success Factor Discount 242

In the CEO Afterlife

DECEMBER 5, 2012

Without leadership, a business enterprise will eventually fail. The glue that binds leadership, strategy, and execution is people – quality individuals at the board level, in the C-suite, in the office, on the factory floor, and in the field. . Survival is possible without a strategy but seldom over the long haul.

Human Capital 203

Human Capital Competitive Advantage Tactics CEO 203

In the CEO Afterlife

JULY 26, 2016

Early in my career, when I worked for a couple of big companies in brand management, I joined my colleagues in nodding to the notion of taking a step back. Many were already in leadership positions or on a fast track to a higher rung on the corporate ladder. In that company, I learned how to slay Goliath.

Brand 100

Brand Learning-by-Doing Brand Management Proposal 100

In the CEO Afterlife

MARCH 11, 2012

Ever since I started blogging about leadership and strategy, I’ve been harping about the notion of “doing less, better” as a business modus operandi. They think companies have to “do more and more” to get bigger and bigger. Last year, Booz & Company conducted a broad study amongst 1,800 executives on the power of focus in business.

Reference 126

Reference Execution CEO Survey 126

In the CEO Afterlife

OCTOBER 30, 2011

Leadership. by John • October 30, 2011 • Human Resources , Leadership , Marketing , Strategy • 4 Comments. Years ago I had the displeasure of consulting for a Canadian natural gas company. In a strategy seminar I asked the leadership team to tell me what business they were in. Leadership.

Strategy 234

Strategy CEO Marketing Strategy Human Resources 234

In the CEO Afterlife

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Companies, large and small, cannot survive without great leadership, sound strategy and flawless execution. He never missed the company Christmas party or the summer social event. He refused to be blocked by the brick wall that separates management from union in most companies. He laughed a lot and made hard work fun.

Hammer 258

Hammer Teamwork Middle Management Creativity 258

In the CEO Afterlife

MAY 6, 2012

Those walking the talk are on Fast Company’s list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies. Fast Company’s list ( [link] ) includes three old economy companies – Siemens AG (founded 1847), Southern New Hampshire University (founded 1932), and UPS (founded 1907). What repels innovation at old economy companies?

Chief Operating Officer 202

Chief Operating Officer Chief Technology Officer CEO Innovation 202

In the CEO Afterlife

OCTOBER 23, 2011

Leadership. by John • October 23, 2011 • Human Resources , Leadership , Marketing , Strategy • 4 Comments. You’d think I’d get similar answers from the executives who work in the same company. People worry that strategy slows a company down and limits growth opportunities. Leadership. Main menu Home.

Strategy 250

Strategy CEO Human Resources Brand 250

In the CEO Afterlife

JUNE 20, 2013

In traditional manufacturing companies, sales departments know tactics better than most other functions because sales people work with tactics every day. Their options are to either squeeze the Coca-Cola Company into lowering their cost for a period of time, or choosing another brand such as Pepsi with similar consumer appeal.

Tactics 217

Tactics Retail Price Brand 217

In the CEO Afterlife

APRIL 4, 2011

Leadership. by John • April 4, 2011 • Leadership , Strategy • 0 Comments. I figured it best at the outset to tackle the assumption head-on by addressing the culture of corporate giants—the companies responsible for creating the preconception. In those companies you’ll find entrepreneurial thinking.”

CEO 150

CEO Mass Marketing Class Brand 150

In the CEO Afterlife

OCTOBER 3, 2011

Leadership. by John • October 3, 2011 • Human Resources , Leadership , Life • 0 Comments. Over his highly successful career, Mr. Bighead created hundreds of millions in shareholder value by acquiring, downsizing and selling companies. Leadership. Tags: CEO , HR , Leadership , Life. Main menu Home.

CEO 222

CEO Human Resources Brand Marketing Strategy 222

In the CEO Afterlife

DECEMBER 7, 2014

A long time ago, this ethic saved a near-bankrupt company that I had a part in restructuring. Don’t for a minute think that Kraft’s top tier profit returns will be deflated by the recent split into two companies. The strategy I’ve grown to love and count on over a 45-year career is do less, better.

Human Resources 183

Human Resources Restructuring Competitive Advantage Marketing Strategy 183

In the CEO Afterlife

MAY 1, 2012

No doubt, many CEOs will try to replicate the principles that catapulted Apple to the most valuable company on the face of the earth. Innovation starts with leadership. Most big company cultures are not innovative. These are the people who stimulate innovation and permeate the culture to every nook and cranny of the company.

Mission Statement 222

Mission Statement Innovation Committee CEO 222

In the CEO Afterlife

FEBRUARY 6, 2012

A coach or mentor’s advice may serve to overcome personal weaknesses; it may have to do with leadership, how to deal with an impossible boss or a toxic corporate culture. But if mentoring turns to “here’s a way you can stand out from the others”, your mentor is doing you and your company a disservice. You owe it to yourself.

Career 199

Career Management Mentor Brand 199

In the CEO Afterlife

MARCH 1, 2016

This company earned that honor by re-staging a tired coffee brand with innovative packing technology and breakthrough advertising. That night, I presented the marketing strategy that catapulted a regional brand to national leadership in Canada. five hundred employees became two hundred.

Brand 100

Brand Competitive Advantage Marketing Strategy CEO 100

In the CEO Afterlife

MARCH 19, 2012

History has shown us that the best performers were those who made the right strategic moves to create a future in which their company would enjoy significant competitive advantage. Great CEOs will lead the fight and their companies will stand out as model corporate citizens. You are likely thinking they are already time-starved.

CEO 204

CEO Competitive Advantage Teamwork Marketing 204

In the CEO Afterlife

JANUARY 28, 2013

Here was an organization whose brand and company name stood for healthy breakfasts. But when a company exploits a valuable brand asset like Special K and uses that trade mark on products that fail to enhance the healthy breakfast positioning, the marketer in me yells, “foul!” This strategy I cannot fault. Here’s a clue.

Brand 227

Brand Advertising Marketing Long-term 227

In the CEO Afterlife

JUNE 7, 2012

To make a long story short, I created a little business under The Black Bear Fruit Company brand name. During that time, a company known as GS1 was formed under the auspices of regulating product bar codes. Black Bear qualified for the smallest company rate, at the time, $695.00 I soon learned that I had no option.

Niche Marketing 206

Niche Marketing Brand Retail Company 206

In the CEO Afterlife

FEBRUARY 26, 2012

The secret to thriving against mega-company competition comes down to three potent armaments – strategy, creativity, and culture. If your company is suffering the clout of a giant, I suggest you rank your performance against these 10 commandments of giant slaying. You be fast. You be distinctive and farsighted.

Creativity 240

Creativity Brand Management Marketing Resistance 240

In the CEO Afterlife

OCTOBER 18, 2015

Leadership does not begin the when you step upon the first rung of the management ladder. And when you fail to demonstrate traits critical to successful leadership, the expectations of your colleagues and subordinates are dashed. But, leadership isn’t always directing others. Leadership Comes in All Shapes and Sizes.

Report 100

Report Career Discount Mentor 100

In the CEO Afterlife

JANUARY 14, 2015

This is the secret to success for small to medium sized companies facing the clout of giant competitors. In Do Less Better , I discuss several disciplines and examples of successful focus and sacrifice as it applies to leadership, strategy, marketing, branding and culture. Coherence is the critical performance component. .

Power 100

Power Brand Marketing Strategy 100

In the CEO Afterlife

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

When you know that your company will never be the low-cost producer nor will it ever have enough cash to outspend the big cat, there’s no choice but to find other ways to skin that cat. I’ll start with leadership. That said, a culture that works for one company might be the kiss of death in another. Be nimble.

Competitive Advantage 100

Competitive Advantage How To Human Resources Strategy 100

In the CEO Afterlife

DECEMBER 18, 2014

Bulldozing the walls of complexity in companies and departments never comes without sacrifice. Branding Human Resources Leadership Marketing Strategy Business Coca-Cola Culture Entrepreneurship Google PepsiCo Vision' Doing less, better doesn’t mean doing less work. The earlier and the bigger the sacrifice, the easier it gets afterward.

ROE 249

ROE Human Resources Marketing Strategy Competitive Advantage 249

In the CEO Afterlife

DECEMBER 4, 2011

Leadership. by John • December 4, 2011 • Leadership , Life • 2 Comments. The constraint in most of these companies is the fear of failure. Leadership. The “M” Word: A Company’s Most Underrated Intangible. In the CEO Afterlife. Main menu Home. It takes a knack to see the unseen.

CEO 235

CEO Bureaucracy Brand Constraint 235

In the CEO Afterlife

OCTOBER 11, 2011

Leadership. by John • October 11, 2011 • Branding , Leadership , Marketing , Strategy • 0 Comments. Sadly, our performance was so good that our competitor, Kraft, made an offer for the company that the shareholders couldn’t refuse. Leadership. In the CEO Afterlife. Main menu Home. Search My Site.

Brand 253

Brand CEO P&L Brand Management 253

In the CEO Afterlife

MARCH 27, 2011

Leadership. ‘Doing Right Things’ or ‘Doing Things Right’ by John • March 28, 2011 • Human Resources , Leadership , Strategy • 0 Comments. Most CEOs want their companies to do things right because that’s a sign of good management. Leadership. Main menu Home. Clout is the strategy.

CEO 100

CEO Human Resources Bureaucracy Brand 100