Out of the Picture

More than just a play on words, the above title (which is borrowed from the media) really speaks to the current plight of Kodak. Just recently it has been reported that Kodak has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it tries to restructure, boost cash and importantly, stay in business. These next two years will really determine how the company operates (if at all) into the future.

On face value, this story seems like any other story about disruptive technologies changing…

Leadership – Taking Your Brand to the Frontline

The importance of the role managers play in infusing real change is under-estimated in most organisations. Whilst it’s true that perhaps certain leaders are born, the significant majority are developed into becoming leaders. Your position as a manager or supervisor gives you the authority to accomplish certain tasks and objectives. This power does not make you a leader, it simply makes you the boss!

If you Google the word ‘leader’ or ‘leadership’, there are 487 million hits. That’s…

Attraction and Retention – Navigating the Perfect Storm

The recently released HAYS Salary Guide points to a “perfect storm” on the horizon for employers. The survey highlights 3 factors which will contribute to the storm. These are:

Positive Hiring Intentions – most employers are planning on hiring more people

Widening gap between candidate and employer salary intentions – most candidates expect more than employers are prepared to pay

Skills shortages – 54% of employers in Australia are experiencing difficulty in filling critical…

The double-edged sword of being “fair”

There is a body of evidence theorizing on what makes a good manager. However, how a manager is perceived has dramatic effects on their career development, regardless of whether their management style is correct, unorthodox or plain wrong. How you are perceived by specific people within your company can also have dire effects on your promotion opportunities. New evidence suggests that you will be more respected by your peers and senior management if you are perceived as being a…

The Tale of Two Visions

A recent article in The Australian entitled, “Volvo’s fork in road as owners vie for future” (08/06/2011) posed an interesting dilemma currently being faced by the automaker. Having been acquired by Geely Holding Group, a Chinese car manufacturer, from Ford Motor last year, the new owners have been working tirelessly to transform Volvo and revitalise the brand. It is at this point that the “fork in the road” presents itself.

The question is whether Volvo is appropriately…

Recession Beating People Strategy

As 2010 draws to a close, there’s opportunity to reflect upon issues most Executives faced and continue to do so to this day such as the layover from the GFC, downsizing, the now present skills gaps & a definitive lack of Employee Engagement.

Understand people are your most important asset, and a critical start point when designing and implementing winning business strategy to prosper in 2011. Organisationally, your top four priorities should be:

a) Retention of the…

Leadership - Critical contributor to company value

On reading this blog, you will:

• Appreciate the strategic relevance of leadership
  • Operational success
  • Intangible value of the company
• Be more open to taking direct action to raise Leadership capability of the organisation
• Appreciate the importance of investing in leadership capability
• Be less risk averse to investing in leadership development.

Leadership – Adding to the value of your organisation

That’s right, this subject many people…

Congruent Brand & Culture

With globalisation, Brands are so much more than just products and logos. They’re channels of self expression which transcend the label of ‘commodity’. Avenues through which most people express their personalities, attitudes, likes, dislikes and association to certain groups and communities. Brand is strategic, a long term imperative requiring Leadership to carefully consider and manage it across the entire organisation. This usually takes a collaborative effort involving both the…

Leadership Development - Invest and Avoid the Skills Shortage

The good news for the economy is that unemployment is unlikely to reach the projected rate of 8.5%; the question remains however, that as recovery looms will Australia have the skills capacity in the workforce to take advantage of the upturn?

Recent research from the National Institute of Labour Studies indicates that unlike previous recessions, the skills shortage of 18 months ago has influenced companies to hold onto staff, rather than hiring and training young workers to…

Good Boss, Bad Times - Improving Leadership Effectiveness

Few industries have been spared from these tough economic times. Executives around the world are facing difficult decisions everyday involving lay-offs, pay cuts and managing a workforce that is constantly under threat. A McKinsey Quarterly opinion piece “Good boss, bad times” caught my interest with some useful tips for today’s leaders.

McKinsey interviewed Robert Sutton, noted author and management professor from the Stanford Graduate School of Engineering. Sutton discusses how…