The surprise victory of Donald Trump has brought into sharp focus a big idea for the 21st century. Life is local-Business is global Here are some things to think about from observing “local life” in America: Local Newspapers are alive: In the US only small town newspapers are still around. The regional and national newspapersContinue reading “Trump Victory: Life is local- Business is global”
Category Archives: Outsourcing/Outsourceability
7 Questions for your Business Model
“A business model is the manner in which you provide value to your customer that is paid for (by whom – is considered in the questions below). You cover your costs and make a profit on a sustainable basis.”
If you are a small business, you rarely think of your business as having a business model. But it does. It does because the moment you have a single paying customer, she is paying for the value you create. It is another matter, if your business makes a profit consistently over the long term. Sustainable profit is why it is important to understand the business model concept.Here is a definition based on the highly cited article by David Teece.
Drones for commercial use up ten times in one year- pizza delivered by drone?
The drone industry is booming. And the number of companies authorized to use drones for commercial drones is up from 499 to over 5000 in just one year according to the NBC Today show. The number of personal drones registered has risen to over a million in the USA. Currently the Xponential 2016 Conference andContinue reading “Drones for commercial use up ten times in one year- pizza delivered by drone?”
Why are people suspicious of innovation in organizations?
CEO’s know that their organizations must innovate to stay relevant and succeed. Other functional heads (CxO’s) also understand the innovation imperative. And this applies to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) ,Chief Supply Officer (CSO) or the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) etc. These organizational leaders cannot understand why getting a new thing started is so difficult. And why they do not see the benefits flowing in- simply because of employee reluctance in implementation and “buy-in.
Why sales force compensation is over three times advertising spending in the US
You may not realize that US sales force compensation spending is over three times advertising spending. In 2006 sales force compensation was $800 billion, Meanwhile US advertising spend is estimated at only $187 Billion, in 2015. Sales is the world’s second oldest profession and its compensation is an evergreen question in sales for thousands ofContinue reading “Why sales force compensation is over three times advertising spending in the US”
Why it’s hard to share feedback in B2B Markets
Frank,regular and constructive feedback is hard to give or receive in any work relationship. For example, HR performance appraisals are dreaded by both the boss and the employee. If you are a great leader your employees deserve to know how they are doing on a frequent basis , according to the legendary Jack Welch (Also seeContinue reading “Why it’s hard to share feedback in B2B Markets”
Why nail spas seem to be the only growing(23% since 2007) small business on Main Street USA
If you go to any main street in America, the only small businesses that seems to have proliferated are Nail Spas. In one Connecticut town we counted no less than five nail spas on Main Street, spaced pretty close together. And all this growth since 2007: that is an astounding 23% growth. A lot ofContinue reading “Why nail spas seem to be the only growing(23% since 2007) small business on Main Street USA”
Dentists beware: folks are ordering braces online
The news that many folks are actually ordering dental braces online is shocking for dentists and is an example of a service that you thought was “inseparable,” but is actually getting separated at the individual customer level. For sure not everyone will be ordering dental braces online and bypassing the dentist, but almost everyone willContinue reading “Dentists beware: folks are ordering braces online”
B2B suppliers tell you: Do you listen? Obamacare website and the BP oil spill
The B2B blame game between contractors and BP during the oil spill and the blame game between the IT contractors and the Federal HHS is eerily similar. B2B suppliers tell you- but do you listen? is the question to ask. The prepared remarks of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for her testimony tomorrow (October 30) areContinue reading “B2B suppliers tell you: Do you listen? Obamacare website and the BP oil spill”
Not all Government websites down: is it the Federal Procurement System?
The US Federal Government is the world's largest B2B buyer and given that (a) not all Federal websites are down and (b) the healthcare.gov (Obamacare) website is having problems suggests that there is a supply chain and specifically a Federal procurement system problem at work. As the unbelievable drama in Washington DC plays out andContinue reading “Not all Government websites down: is it the Federal Procurement System?”