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Operational Effectiveness Archive
9/1/2008
A Model Shift: Evolving Your Revenue Potential
The marketplace continues to change. Does your business model need revamping?
8/1/2008
Heads Up: Scanning for Opportunities
Success and survival depend on the ability to spot upcoming opportunities, risks, and improvement ideas.
7/1/2008
Complexity: Embrace It or Erase It?
Keeping it simple is generally a good rule of thumb, but the right kind of complexity adds value to an organization.
6/1/2008
Toward Better Decisions
To improve the quality and timeliness of decisions, adopt a process and make it routine.
5/1/2008
The Strategy Execution Gap
Many organizations develop great strategies but fail to execute them. Here are some insights from leaders who’ve bridged the gap.
4/1/2008
Fending Off the Talent Raiders
The current shortage of skilled and talented workers can put your company at risk of brain drain.
3/1/2008
Multi-Level Succession Planning
Succession planning should extend beyond just the top spot to include every critical position in your organization.
2/1/2008
Productivity: The Big Picture
With productivity gains slipping nationally, there’s never been a better time to put your productivity enhancement efforts under scrutiny.
12/1/2007
Time for an IT Intervention?
Here are some indicators that your company might benefit from outside technology assistance.
11/1/2007
Making Good Software Decisions
The choices and investments can be daunting. Here’s how to weigh your software options and make “just right” decisions.
9/1/2007
Process Documentation: The Key to Control
Replace undocumented activities with written standard operating procedures, and watch quality improve – especially when personnel changes occur.
8/1/2007
Tech Planning: Are You Ready?
A well-considered technology plan can keep costs in line and maximize return on technology investments.
7/1/2007
Ten Cures for the Common Meeting
Do you and your colleages find yourself sitting through too many unproductive meetings? Perhaps it’s time for some meeting therapy.
6/1/2007
Strategies for a Successful Relocation
Here are some tips to help take the anguish out of moving a business.
5/1/2007
The Downside of Dashboards
Real-time business performance data can help point the way to stronger performance, but only if you avoid these common pitfalls.
4/1/2007
Too Much Information
The need for more effective data management is becoming clear as document storage, tracking, retrieval, and security become major issues.
3/1/2007
Generating Good Leads
Getting the most from lead-generation efforts requires an understanding of some basic principles.
2/1/2007
Eight Realities of Sales Comp
Focus on truths that matter when designing or restructuring your sales incentive plan.
1/1/2007
Groupthink: The Enemy of Innovation
Groupthink can stifle creativity and lead to faulty decisions. Here’s how to help your organization advance beyond the conformist mindset.
12/1/2006
Great Performance through KPIs
KPIs, or key performance indicators, can be a powerful tool for enhancing an organization’s performance if they’re created effectively.
11/1/2006
The Market-Aligned Organization
Reorganizing a business around the market groups it serves takes serious effort – but the rewards can be sizeable.
10/1/2006
Developing a Code of Ethics
Even the smallest of companies needs clear guidelines for employee behavior to encourage honesty, foster loyalty and reduce risk.
9/1/2006
Lights Out: Preparing for Power Outages
Take steps now to avoid disruptions caused by outages, brownouts and surges.
8/1/2006
Which Way Does Internal Information Really Flow?
Social network analysis can provide a way to improve internal communication by charting informal networks within organizations.
6/1/2006
Supply Chain Do’s and Don’ts
Want to get your supply chain in top form? Take a page from the successes and failures of others.
4/1/2006
Knowledge Management 1.0
Knowledge management isn’t just for mammoth corporations. Here are five ways smaller companies can better leverage internal experts.
1/1/2006
Putting a Price on IT Infrastructure
In today’s business processes, information technology can be a valuable differentiator -- but many fail to grasp its true value.
12/1/2005
The Art of Delegating
Sharing responsibilities takes practice, but it’s one of the most important skills a new manager can learn.
9/1/2005
Creating a Culture of Learning
High-performance organizations encourage constant hands-on learning throughout their ranks, which in turn fosters a shared spirit of improvement.
8/1/2005
Project Planning: A Better Way
By defining issues, putting aside assumptions, and building stakeholder buy-in, organizations can help secure the success of major initiatives.
6/1/2005
What Private Firms and Nonprofits can Learn from Sarbanes-Oxley
Private companies and nonprofits may be exempt, but they can still benefit by embracing the law’s accounting and auditing standards.
5/1/2005
The Power of Process Thinking
Future performance gains may require tearing down department walls and adopting a process-focused approach to customer expectations.
4/1/2005
Success through Accountability
The best-run organizations recognize that while responsibility can exist without accountability, the opposite does not hold true.
3/1/2005
Lost In Translation
Transforming strategy into action defines high-performance organizations.
2/1/2005
Present and Unproductive
If you think absenteeism jeopardizes productivity, you might want to address an even bigger problem—presenteeism.
1/1/2005
In Command of Change
The art of change management includes preparation in programs and planning.
12/1/2004
Strengthening Your Supply Chain
With a focus on the fundamentals and some strategic initiatives, you can reap both cost-savings and a competitive advantage.
11/1/2004
Go-Between or Go-Getter?
The key to smooth mergers: Put an integration manager in the driver’s seat.
10/1/2004
To Achieve Innovation, Manage Information
Today’s better product or service development relies on better information management, not necessarily better processes.
9/1/2004
Getting Radical in Operations
Operational innovation is surpassing operational improvement as the ultimate competitive advantage.
7/1/2004
Evaluating Outsourcing: Is It Right for You?
When determining whether an outsourcing strategy is appropriate, the important question is not only what to outsource, but why.
6/1/2004
Maximize Performance by Measuring Intangibles with a Balanced Scorecard
There are many assets that contribute to your organization’s success. Are you capitalizing on them all?
6/1/2004
The Wireless Workplace
Instant connectivity can solve business needs and improve productivity.
6/1/2004
I.T. Success Begins With Top-Level Leadership
Leading a 21st century organization requires tech savvy; your business depends on it.
5/1/2004
Reining in CRM
Whether adjusting current projects or launching implementation, put your business goals before technology selection.
5/1/2004
With the Right Focus, Procurement Can Contribute Big Post-Merger Returns
Proper execution of purchasing and supply management can reap substantial savings.
5/1/2004
Value or Value Proposition: Both Require Competitive Differentiation
Operations are the first line of differentiation for your products and services.
5/1/2004
Six Sigma: A Manufacturing Strategy to Fit any Organization
Striving for zero defects is a profit-booster that’s working for a variety of non-manufacturing organizations.