Standards in the Family Business Jean Piaget was a Swiss developmental psychologist and philosopher known for his epistemological studies with children. His theory of cognitive development and epistemological view are together called “genetic epistemology”. One of Piaget’s theories discusses objective permanence. Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be observed [Continue Reading]
“You’ll Miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
Don’t Miss the Opportunity “You’ll Miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” Family Businesses, the successful ones, recognize that their longevity depends on keeping customers, employees and shareholders happy. Recently a family business President commented on the challenges and the opportunities that have been presented to him. He expressed his personal drive, focus and [Continue Reading]
Organizational Structure: “The more things change, the more they stay the same”
The more things change, the more they stay the same — plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. Organizational Structure At the turn of the century in three different parts of the world three different men published treaties on business, organizational structure and organizational theory. Many of their ideas are still used today. The [Continue Reading]
Overcoming the Commonplace By Reaching for the Stars
“I just want what we all want: a comfortable couch, a nice beverage, a weekend of no distractions and a book that will stop time, lift me out of my quotidian existence and alter my thinking forever.” Quotidian, means commonplace, done daily or recurring daily. Often we need to remind ourselves, it’s our job to [Continue Reading]
The Shareholder Value Myth And The Importance Of The Stakeholders
Shareholders vs. Stakeholders Lynn Stout’s book, The Shareholder Value Myth: How Putting Shareholders First Harms Investors, Corporations, and the Public was a subject this week in Jack Welch’s blog, Tom Peters’tweets and an article in the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Social Reform.” “Shareholder-value thinking dominates the business world today. Professors, policymakers, [Continue Reading]
Great Companies, Family Businesses, Don’t Start With A Plan! Really?
Planning, Passion and Purpose in Great Companies Many Colleges and Universities have a center for small business, some have programs for family businesses and a few even offer degrees in Family Business Management. Many if not all offer classes on business plans, strategic plans, tactical plans, short term plan, 5 year plan and some [Continue Reading]
It’s About Direction, Not Perfection
No effort is insignificant. By merely making a choice and pursuing an action, you can have an impact. Sure you might fail (at first), you might not be heard (at first), but you, your company, your world, your universe will be different because you took action. You moved forward on a new idea, workflow, [Continue Reading]
The Choreography of Sales Service – Should You Underpromise And Overdeliver?
. “We provide solutions.” Sound familiar, this is what our business is based on; what many business are based on, we all provide services. Today, the service sector’s share of the U.S. economy has risen to roughly 80 percent. Being a service business is complex, complicated and it’s on a continuum; customer’s expectations increase with [Continue Reading]