When guilds were originally established in the Middle Ages, their primary purpose was to build and protect the economic value of skills and knowledge. Craftsmen allied themselves to essentially create firewalls around their primary competitive offering in the market. These inward-looking groups were able to impose discipline on their practice: enforcing standards, mentoring and training new entrants, and refining and building on old expertise to create new more valuable knowledge.
Stop Operating with a Guild Mindset
When guilds were originally established in the Middle Ages, their primary purpose was to build and protect the economic value of skills and knowledge. Craftsmen allied themselves to essentially create firewalls around their primary competitive offering in the market. These inward-looking groups were able to impose discipline on their practice: enforcing standards, mentoring and training […]
December 06, 2010
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Strategy Planning and Execution Course
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How to develop a winning strategy—and put it to work.
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New!
HBR Learning
Strategy Planning and Execution Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Strategy Planning and Execution. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to develop a winning strategy—and put it to work.