STRATEGY CENTRAL

One of the quotes I refer to almost daily is that "your organization is perfectly designed to produce the results that you’re currently experiencing."  Something I picked up from Andy Stanley, a very smart guy.  It’s a simple statement.  Not a head scratcher.  So obvious that you can’t even argue with it.

Tripped across an article today over at the McKinsey Quarterly that might be related to the source of Andy’s thinking.  The article was about a concept called the SCP Framework (Structure, Conduct, Performance) and explains how your structure determines conduct and your conduct determines performance.  Very interesting, complete with some great illustrations.  You can check it out right here.

By the way, one of the main reasons that StrategyCentral is so important to me is that it allows me to show the connection between current business theory and practice…and what all of us do.  You get that.  That’s why you’ve bookmarked this site.

One of my favorite newsletters is the McKinsey Quarterly.  Based on the writing and practice of McKinsey & Company, the Quarterly regularly has an article that catches my eye or that little corner of my brain that says, "hmmm…this is like that.  This will help with that."

Nothing like moving the couch back out the door. Glad it’s not me!

Picked up How Customers Think by Gerald Zaltman for a little light beach reading…uh, no.  Interesting stuff though.  And it has so much to do with everything we’re trying to do.  Basic premise?  Lack of awareness of how customers really think is behind some huge misses in the world of marketing (and a lot more).

"Most marketing managers operate from a paradigm–a set of assumptions about how the world works–that prevents them from understanding and serving customers effectively (p. ix)."

Guess what…they’re not the only one.  This is one of those books that can take a little longer to read but gets marked up plenty.  Lots here that will make it into my thinking this summer.  Noting that one of the most damaging patterns in considering new ideas is premature dismissal, Zaltman introduces a practice that will definitely make it into my set of basic questions:

We must suspend our judgment of an unfamiliar idea when we first encounter it and ask ourselves, "Would we value this idea if it were true?"

Can you see yourself adding this question? 

Fireworks later tonight.  For now?  A great sunset behind the palms.  It’ll have to do for this so cal boy.  Wed we leave for Rocklin.

Just checked out the Squidoo site of the day, How to Dispose of Batteries.  Good stuff over there.  I know this isn’t about strategy or mission or vision, but it is about change…the personal kind.  If you’re beginning to switch out your light bulbs to CFLs or conserve water (maybe catching water as you wait for the tap to heat up), your next step might be to actually dispose of your batteries properly…instead of just thinking about it.

Earth 911 was mentioned as a site that allows you to search for a local disposal site.  Seems like way past time.  I found several right where my new office is.  Already doing it?  Awesome.  Join me?  Thanks.