Businesses Win and Which Lose?What Determines ?

How do you get people to question their assumptions?

IF I ask some one questions, like, "In the past 90 days, what were your three most important strategic accomplishments?"

I do not simply accept answers like, “We met our revenue budget.” A strategic accomplishment is one which changes the field of play in a company’s favor.

Another question

I ask is, “In the past 90 days, what were the three most important ways you fell short of your potential?”

The answers give insight into what people think the company should be emphasizing, but isn’t.

I also ask, “In the past 90 days, what are the three most important things you have learned about your strategy.”

This is a tough question because it asks people to learn and adapt the strategy and tactics of the company.

At Pepper dine we give a lot of attention to teams. What do you think about teaming in the workplace?

When companies is to be helped for them set strategy, I begin by creating what I call a Mind Bank. For groups to be effective, they need to have a method of aggregating the opinions and insights of individual members in a way that doesn't undermine their diversity and independence. I always send 30 to 50 people a "strategy sketch" document, and ask them to return it to me with their reflections on what they consider the most important issues facing the business. If you're looking for a way to make better decisions in your company, you will find that the more minds you get working on the problem, the better the solution.
Are you working on another book?

Yes, it is titled Bounce: The Art of Turning Tough Times into Triumph. It will be published by Random House on September 15 [2009].
What inspires you?

My six- and nine-year-olds! They remind me to see life through their eyes, with the future being one big shiny opportunity. Children are born with a transparent or clear way of seeing things. They respond to the world as it is. They are transparent. What you see, is what you get?