Blog Archive for Influencing Your Profitability

Over the past three years, I have attended more functional and industry events than I have over the prior fifteen combined. I’ve attended these events for two main reasons: They are great networking opportunities, especially for a partner of a boutique price and value consultancy. Most importantly, these events allow me the opportunity to hear [...]

I went to the CFO Corporate Performance Management conference earlier this week in NYC.  I was glad to see that attendance seemed to be higher than it has been in previous years.  There were probably two major reasons which contributed to this:   1. The economy has started to show signs of recovery. 2. This [...]

Changes to the competitive environment happen every day.  The ability to understand and interpret these changes is an important part of strategic planning. At the micro level – every opportunity to sell can be a win or go home situation.  Zoom out a little and that’s not necessarily the case.  Knowing how to understand what [...]

There are a number of different ways a business can improve their ability to meet the needs of new and existing customers: Sales and support practices Various product options Delivery times and methods Terms Customer insight determines which one or what combination is used.  The gathering of customer perspectives (what’s important to them and how [...]

Many large companies either have, or are creating, Strategic Management Offices (SMO or strategic program office SPO).  Often more than not, these groups are helpful with ensuring programs are prioritized, funded, staffed, and tracked for their progress. The SMO tries to prioritize and juggle ongoing programs with those that an organization wants to move ahead [...]

It’s no secret that these are interesting times here in America. I started writing out my first thoughts on this topic and realized it came off very depressing. Rambling on and on about Americans going into more and more debt on their addiction to consume. Financial companies overleveraging themselves, American businesses shifting mid level management, [...]