In the CEO Afterlife

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Is Business a Combination of Sport and War?

In the CEO Afterlife

The notion of business as a combination of sport and war was attributed to Emile Herzog (1885-1967), a French author who used the pen name, Andre Maurois. As for sport, the game of market share was an easy way to track success. Success in business does not have to hinge on the sport and war analogy.

Sports 228
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The Bull who withstood the Monster

In the CEO Afterlife

Then as sales grew, he leveraged the growth and invested in Red Bull sponsored sports and entertainment events directed at young urban professionals. A few years ago Red Bull realized they were becoming one of the biggest content sources of action sports and culture on the planet. The strategy was wildly successful.

Trout 249
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The Power of an Enemy

In the CEO Afterlife

As a kid in sports, I played my heart out, hated my opponents and cried when I lost. The late French author Andre Maurois once said, “Business is a combination of sport and war.” Like a sports scorecard, competitive spirit demands measurement and accountability of performance. I ’m an extremely competitive person.

Power 208
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When to Ditch the Leadership Love-in

In the CEO Afterlife

So to use a sports analogy, I ask you to consider the mindset of 2-14 coaches Jim Caldwell of the Colts and Hue Jackson of the Raiders as they neared the end of the 2011 NFL season. And it doesn’t matter whether you run a Fortune 500 company, a sports team or the local PTA. Leadership Bloggers I follow: Mike Myatt at [link].

McCarthy 212
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20 Reasons Why Companies Should Do Less Better

In the CEO Afterlife

Today, 40% of Nike’s revenue comes from apparel and sporting goods. What’s left in apparel and sporting goods is a good strategic fit with Nike’s operations. Mired in the complexity of an unrelated product line, Campbell’s leaders keep plugging along trying to do more of the same, only better. They are kidding themselves.

Company 177
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Is Political Correctness Coming to a Brand near You?

In the CEO Afterlife

The controversy over American sports team branding and mascots has been going on for years. Even brands nearing death such as Brylcreem Hairdressing and Ipana Toothpaste have some equity left in them to generate profits for their owners. Enter political correctness.

Brand 243
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The ?M? Word: A Company's Most Underrated Intangible | In the CEO.

In the CEO Afterlife

Sports teams with momentum go on inexplicable winning streaks while opponents can’t seem to string two wins together no matter how hard they try or how ‘talented’ their roster. The “M” Word: A Company’s Most Underrated Intangible. The dictionary describes “momentum” as a strength or force that keeps growing.

CEO 242