Sat.Oct 31, 2015 - Fri.Nov 06, 2015

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10 Obvious Mistakes Consultants Make

David A Fields

If there’s no highway exit for another 6 miles and you’re not passing anyone, there’s a handy lane on the right just for you. You know that. I know that. Every other adult knows that. Yet we see drivers dawdling along in the left (or middle) lane for miles on end as other cars are forced to pass them on the right. In consulting there are equally obvious rules of the road that are, nevertheless, inexplicably ignored by many of our colleagues.

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New Resolutions and Fresh Starts

Steve Shu Consulting

As we approach the year-end, I wanted to share some thoughts from my book, The Consulting Apprenticeship: 40 Jump-Ideas for You and Your Business. It is a technique that I’ve seen a number of operating companies and management consulting firms use effectively. I’ve usually called it the Spring Cleaning technique, to connote a sense of renewal that often comes with the pastime of cleaning and refreshing a home early- to mid-year.

Meeting 215
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Overcoming Obstacles Using External Resources

Women in Consulting

By: Jen Berkley Jackson. At the end of last year, I conducted research to understand how market research is being used in organizations. We heard back from participants that there are three primary obstacles to doing market research: budget, time and lack of internal resources. This is a familiar story for us as consultants also. These are ALWAYS the obstacles to making huge strides in business whether it has to do with our marketing efforts, our administrative processes, or even in launching

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Product Market Expansion Matrix

Tom Spencer

(Source: Flickr ). The product-market expansion matrix may prove useful in the consulting case interview and is relevant when considering growth strategies. It might be used on a standalone basis or as part of a larger profitability framework. There are four ways that a company can pursue growth: Market penetration: A strategy to increase sales to existing customers and increase market share.

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PowerPoint Best Practices for Creating Stellar Presentations

Mastering data visualization in PowerPoint will help accelerate your career because it positions you as someone who can present data that drives business decisions forward. think-cell's PowerPoint Best Practices eBook was created specifically for professionals aiming to master the art and science of data-driven storytelling. What’s inside: Practical Insights: Uncover valuable tips for crafting engaging and persuasive presentations.

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Should You Pay to Be a Recognized Authority?

David A Fields

A consultant emailed me this question yesterday: David, I’ve been recognized in the past by an organization as a “Top Thought Leader” in my area. For 2015, this same organization sent out another invitation for nominees, but this time they included a $99 “application fee.” When I am included in their list they send a press release and include me in their monthly magazine.

More Trending

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Shippers Warn of Overcapacity, Cancel Scheduled Voyages, Announce Profit Warnings; Don't Sleep in the Subway

MishTalk

Shipping is a strong indication on the health or weakness of the global economy. So let's take a look at what's happening. World's Largest Shipper Cancels 39 Voyages The Wall Street Journal reports Maersk Line to Cut 4,000 Jobs as Market Deteriorates The world’s biggest container-ship operator is altering course, slashing jobs and canceling or delaying orders for new vessels after years weathering a sharp downturn in the container-shipping market.

Journal 60
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An Hour A Day

Chad Barr

This week’s reflection point: Imagine what it would be like having one extra hour added to your day, each and every day of the year. This past weekend, we all got an extra hour of time to relax, create, waste or work. And there’s always so much hype leading up to the time change; constant media reminders to change the clock on the appliances, fall back, not to miss an early appointment and replace the smoke alarm batteries.

Media 52
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Focus on the Strategic Result

Gina Abudi

Not a Product or Service in Particular The most competitive organizations focus on the strategic end result which includes launching projects that solve business problems. They don’t focus on a particular product or service, but rather projects specifically focused on achieving a strategic goal. These projects therefore tend to be more complex and have more [.].

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Mike Christian on Mindfulness and Mental Energy

Strategy+Business

When our mental energy is depleted, we are more likely to be disengaged or even act unethically. Mike Christian, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School, talks to s+b about the factors that affect our ability to exhibit self-control.

Energy 51
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How to Stay Competitive in the Evolving State of Martech

Marketing technology is essential for B2B marketers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape — and with 53% of marketers experiencing legacy technology issues and limitations, they’re researching innovations to expand and refine their technology stacks. To help practitioners keep up with the rapidly evolving martech landscape, this special report will discuss: How practitioners are integrating technologies and systems to encourage information-sharing between departments and pr

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Greek Banks' Non-Performing Loans Hit 43%; Only €14 Billion Recapitalization Needed?

MishTalk

Only €14 Billion Recapitalization Needed? On November 1, I noted Greek Banks Need €14 Billion Recapitalization Following Latest Stress-Free Tests. My comment was " Greek banks did much better than expected in the latest ECB stress test (undoubtedly stress-free). The ECB's adverse scenario shows Greek banks only underfunded to the tune of €14 billion. " Greek Banks' Non-Performing Loans Hit 43% Reader Lars from Norway just emailed regarding recent interview in Germany with former Greek finance mi

Banking 59
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Your Business: Personal or Company Goodwill

Martinka Consulting

In the Brueggeman and Johnson Yeanoplos May/June 2015 Litigation & Valuation Report , one of the articles is titled, “ Determining the Value of Personal Goodwill.” Let’s discuss how it applies to small and mid-size business buy-sell. First lets define goodwill in general. Goodwill is the difference between the total value of the company and the value of the tangible assets.

Company 43
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Project Leadership and the Bottom Line

Gina Abudi

Organizations are going to meet their long-term objectives and strategic goals, as well as compete effectively in an increasingly competitive environment by undertaking the right projects at the right time. To be successful at those projects, organizations must have strong project leadership in place. Individuals who can lead project teams to accomplish goals but also [.].

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How Mindfulness Can Prevent Retaliation at Work

Strategy+Business

UNC Kenan-Flagler professor Mike Christian discusses techniques executives can use to improve interpersonal relationships and performance. For more related insights, read "Mike Christian on Mindfulness and Mental Energy.

Energy 44
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Savings Consultants Are Needed in Today's Market More Than Ever

Savings Consultants are needed in today’s market more than ever. With an increase in expenses, businesses are looking for opportunities to save. Often unknown to businesses are savings in expense reduction, specialized tax savings, specialized savings including medical underpayments, health benefits cost reduction, zero cost processing, and more. Blue Coast Savings, with over 20 years in business, assists Savings Consultants in helping these companies move toward more profitable businesses.

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Factory Orders Sink 11th Time in 14 Months

MishTalk

Factory orders decline once again, in line with the Bloomberg Consensus , but last month was also revised lower. New orders for the export-hit factory sector fell 1.0 percent in September for the 11th decline in 14 months with August revised 4 tenths lower to minus 2.1 percent. September orders for durable goods, initially posted in last week's advance report, are unrevised at minus 1.2 percent, held down in part by a downswing in civilian aircraft but nevertheless showing wide weakness.

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3 Digital Trends to Watch in the 2016 Presidential Election

1 to 1

It's no secret that presidential candidates spend massive amounts of money on political advertising. But TV commercials and billboards are no longer enough. Next year's presidential hopefuls will be facing off on a highly digital stage, giving candidates new opportunities--and challenges--to engage voters. There’s more… To read the rest of this blog posting click here or visit www.1to1Media.com/weblog.

Trends 40
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Are You Willing to Kill a Project?

Gina Abudi

Those organizations that rely on the expertise and good judgment of their project managers expect – or rather, demand – that information by floated up the ladder if a project is no longer going to achieve its objectives or is no longer the best project to do to meet strategic goals. If a project won’t [.]. The post Are You Willing to Kill a Project?

Meeting 40
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Best Business Books 2015: Strategy

Strategy+Business

This year's best business books on strategy take divergent approaches to the fundamental challenge of how to develop the human capacity for innovation. Hollywood producer Brian Grazer makes a convincing case that simple curiosity is the most effective tactic for spurring creative thinking. And Cass Sunstein and Reid Hastie, two university professors, lay out a social science-based road map for how to work effectively in groups.

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TOOLS and METHODOLOGIES for developing DECISION SUPPORT PACKAGES

This White Paper targets opportunities for Management to develop proficiency in the Decision Framing and Analyses element of input to Decision, & Risk Analyses for Major Project Funding Decisions.

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US Middle-Aged Whites With No College Education Dying at Shocking Rate

MishTalk

Mortality rates in advanced countries have been on a large and steady decline. However, a recent study shows A Group of Middle-Aged Whites in the U.S. is Dying at a Startling Rate. A large segment of white middle-aged Americans has suffered a startling rise in its death rate since 1999, according to a review of statistics published Monday that shows a sharp reversal in decades of progress toward longer lives.

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How to Master Impromptu Business Meetings

Henry DeVries

When Patricia Fripp speaks, professional speakers and executives listen. Fripp is a past president, and the first female president, of the over 3,600-member National Speakers Association. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance wrote that the 6th best investment in your career is to learn presentation skills from Patricia Fripp. I can personally attest it [.

Meeting 40
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Should we pander?

Seth Godin Blog

In a race to go faster, cheaper and wider, it's tempting to strip away elegance, ornamentation or subtlety. If you want to reach more people, aim for average. The market, given a choice, often picks something that's short-term, shoddy, inane, obvious, cheap, a quick thrill. Given the choice, the market almost never votes for the building, the monument or the civic development it ends up being so proud of a generation later.

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Best Business Books 2015: Managerial Self-Improvement

Strategy+Business

Character building and its rewards are the principal focus of two of this year's three best business books on the theme of self-improvement for managers, and they are written by David Brooks and Fred Kiel. The third, penned by Jeffrey Pfeffer, reminds us to take the first two with a grain of salt. And it's the best of the bunch.

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Why You Need to Use Case Studies in Sales and Marketing (and How to Start Now)

Case studies are proof of successful client relations and a verifiable product or service. They persuade buyers by highlighting your customers' experiences with your company and its solution. In sales, case studies are crucial pieces of content that can be tailored to prospects' pain points and used throughout the buyer's journey. In marketing, case studies are versatile assets for generating business, providing reusable elements for ad and social media content, website material, and marketing c

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Trucker's Pay, Falling Demand for Trucking Jobs Provide Reasons Self-Driving Trucks Will Reshape Industry

MishTalk

Fewer and fewer people willing to live the trucker's life. This has created a shortage in drivers and in turn Rising Pay is Reshaping the Trucking Industry. The shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. is driving salaries higher, with gains up to 12 percent over the past year. Average pay for long-haul truckers jumped 17 percent since the end of 2013 to a record average of $57,000 in 2015, according to the National Transportation Institute.

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NPS: Out with the Old, In with the New

1 to 1

In 2003 author Fred Reichheld introduced 'the ultimate question in his Harvard Business Review article "One Number You Need to Grow." Answers to the question, "What is the likelihood that you would recommend company X to a friend or colleague?" proved to be so powerful in predicting customer behavior and customer loyalty that the question became known as Net Promoter Score and served as a key growth indicator for leaders.

Company 38
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Witch hunts make no sense

Seth Godin Blog

They are based on a fallacy: "I am irrationally afraid and persecuting this innocent person will make me feel better.". Which is expressed by those in power as: "There's a good reason I'm afraid and punishing this person will make that reason go away.". Hunting witches never makes things better. Partly because there are no witches. But mostly because it's really unlikely that we're afraid for a good reason (our fear is just about always irrational).

Course 38
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Best Business Books 2015: Marketing

Strategy+Business

This year's smartest marketing books, led by Captivology, wrestle with the ramifications of the maturing digital age, and help us reach a more sophisticated understanding of the opportunities -- and perils -- of deploying immensely powerful digital platforms to reach customers.

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ABM Evolution: How Top Marketers Are Using Account-Based Strategies

In times of economic uncertainty, account-based strategies are essential. According to several business analysts and practitioners, ABM is a necessity for creating more predictable revenue. Research shows that nearly three-quarters of marketers (74%) already have the resources needed to build successful ABM programs.