Even in the absence of a fixed definition, more than 100 studies have now demonstrated a strong relationship between employee engagement and organizational performance. How crazy is it that companies are willing to invest in preventative maintenance on fixed assets such as their machinery, but typically won't make a comparable investment to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of their employees? Employee retention Leadership Managing people ROWE MORE

PL and CM: Most companies look outside to adjacent markets for growth and invest in assets to exploit those opportunities. And, invariably, you invest in assets. These choices historically conferred advantage – first-mover, scale – but asset-based scale advantages have diminished in recent years, thanks to technology, cheap information, and outsourcing. As the intrinsic value of assets diminishes, the competitive value of capabilities will only grow. MORE

We have just witnessed what journalists too easily have called China's "once-in-a-decade" transition--this despite the minor detail that the People's Republic of China had managed exactly one routinized transition of power in its first sixty-two years. Those among China's leadership elites who feared chaos in this transition will be relieved; those who had hoped that the events of the last year might offer the prospect of political reform will be disappointed. MORE

By Guest Authors from Booz & Company : Partner, Paul Leinwand and Managing Director, Cesare Mainardi . Bringing on more fixed assets, instead of building market-leading capabilities. Books Business Coaching Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Leadership booz & company capabilities driven cesare mainardi coherent competitive advantage leadership brand market presence paul leinwand right to win thetford MORE

China’s global economic power continues to grow, yet the decision-making dynamics of its top leadership remain a mystery. Failure to present a groundbreaking new vision risks leaving in place old economic drivers, especially the over-reliance on fixed-asset investment, that have created serious challenges such as China’s “ghost cities” and high levels of local government debt. Which Management Style Will China Adopt? MORE

Time is a non-renewable resource; a fixed asset. We must invest our time in these four dimensions of leadership: Invest In Time To Be Strategic. The heart of leadership is inspiration and influence; the words and actions that flow from our values express our character and motivation. Be transparent and trustworthy in every interaction; and take responsibility for managing the expectations of yourself, your team, and your clients. MORE

Because of the vast space between these, the astute manager shouldn’t simply aspire to innovation in general. Without differentiating between things like sustaining and disruptive innovations, the conversation never directs managers to the nitty-gritty details where new products and services live or die. But as we accept that leadership comes in many forms, from managing crises to coaching employees, we need to do the same when it comes to innovation. MORE

At many companies the total cash investment in acquisitions, R&D, and fixed assets has not earned back its cost of capital after adjusting for the time lag in realizing incremental benefits. People and Organization : In late 2010, GE CEO Jeff Immelt decided to give country managers P&L responsibility for all of GE in their countries and have them report to vice chairman John Rice, who would be stationed in Hong Kong. Decision making Leadership MORE