Category: News

Empathy and Proactivity: Unconventional Approaches to New Boss Challenges

1. Executive coach Sharmin Banu suggests practicing empathy with new bosses making rushed decisions. By understanding their pressures and stress, employees can better navigate challenges. This unconventional approach of “putting yourself in your boss’s shoes” can help mid-sized companies maintain stability during leadership transitions.

2. Organizational psychologist André Martin advises asking new bosses two key questions: “What do you need?” and “How can I help?” This proactive approach helps employees build trust and influence decision-making. For mid-sized companies, this strategy can foster better communication and reduce conflicts caused by hasty leadership decisions.

By Rebecca Knight | SEP 11, 2024
Read the original article at HBR

Leadership Manuals: Boosting Collaboration at Lemonlight and Stripe

1. Lemonlight’s “Working with Our Leaders” resource: The company created a manual for each leader, outlining their work preferences and leadership style. This unique approach helps team members understand how to collaborate effectively with different leaders, improving communication and productivity in a way rarely seen in traditional companies.

2. Claire Hughes Johnson’s leadership manual at Stripe: As former COO, Johnson introduced the concept of personal work manuals at Stripe. This innovative practice helped clarify expectations, streamline collaboration, and foster a culture of transparency, setting Stripe apart in the competitive tech industry.

By Hope Horner | SEP 12, 2024
Read the original article at ENTREPRENEUR

Small Changes, Big Impact: Management Lessons from McDonald’s

1. McDonald’s introduced a Mini McFlurry, a smaller, lower-priced dessert, catering to customers wanting smaller portions. This small adjustment shows how offering scaled-down options can meet customer needs without drastically altering the product line, a lesson in incremental change for mid-sized companies.

2. McDonald’s switched to more sustainable McFlurry packaging, eliminating 826.6 tons of plastic in the U.S. market. This demonstrates how small eco-friendly changes can significantly impact sustainability and brand image, a strategy any company can adopt to build long-term value.

By Bill Murphy Jr. | SEP 11, 2024
Read the original article at INC

Thriving in Uncertainty: Strategic Lessons for Mid-Sized Companies from Tec5USA

1. Tec5USA diversified its client base by expanding into new industries and geographic markets to reduce dependency on any one sector. This strategy helps mid-sized companies reduce risks during downturns and capture opportunities in growing markets.

2. Tec5USA formed strategic partnerships with research institutions like the University of Georgia and Rutgers University. These alliances helped co-develop new solutions, expand market reach, and reduce financial risks, ensuring sustainable growth.

By Sebastian Huelck | SEP 11, 2024
Read the original article at ENTREPRENEUR

Mastering CEO Transitions: Insights from Jotform and Zillow’s Leadership Journeys

1. Jotform’s founder-CEO, who bootstrapped his company, allowing him time to develop his leadership skills. Starting as a coder with no management experience, he learned every aspect of the business, which helped him identify his weaknesses and build a strong team.

2. Rich Barton, CEO of Zillow Group, who emphasizes the importance of becoming a “leader of leaders.” He believes that CEOs must recognize when their own capabilities fall short and bring in outside talent to help guide the company through rapid growth.

By Aytekin Tank | SEP 10, 2024
Read the original article at ENTREPRENEUR

Key Leadership Insights: Mentorship and Failure as Catalysts for Business Growth

1. Newpreneurs provides mentorship and financial support to young entrepreneurs, helping them refine their strategies and avoid common startup pitfalls. This mentorship model, aimed at guiding first-time business owners, could help mid-sized companies compete by fostering leadership and adaptability through expert advice.

2. Victor Green emphasizes research as the most vital skill for entrepreneurs. By researching thoroughly, a company can ensure its product fills a real market need. This strategy is key for mid-sized companies facing competition, as understanding customer needs leads to better, more innovative products.

By Mark C. Perna | SEP 10, 2024
Read the original article at FORBES

Reframing Success: Turning Goals into Exciting Quests and Achievable Outcomes

1. David Cain suggests seeing your goals as quests, not just tasks. Unlike typical goals, quests bring excitement, challenges, and personal growth. Thinking of business goals as fun adventures helps CEOs stay motivated and see opportunities instead of obstacles.

2. Tim Ferriss learned from a boxing coach to call his ambitions “goals,” not “dreams.” Dreams are fantasies, but goals have plans and steps. Using strong, action-oriented words like “goal” can shift a CEO’s mindset toward achievable outcomes.

By Jessica Stillman | SEP 9, 2024
Read the original article at INC

Bold Moves and Inclusive Leadership: How United Airlines Navigated the Pandemic

1. Molly Fletcher emphasizes resilience as a critical management strategy. Her “Next Play Mentality” advises leaders to move quickly past setbacks, focusing on future actions rather than dwelling on mistakes. This mindset helps companies stay agile and bounce back stronger.

2. Fletcher highlights that discipline, not talent, is the true engine of success. For CEOs, instilling a culture of hard work and accountability, even when motivation is low, ensures consistent performance and long-term growth, regardless of industry competition.

By Natalie McCormick | SEP 9, 2024
Read the original article at FORTUNE

Unique Strategies from Constellation: Building Customer Loyalty and Tailored Tech Solutions

1. Jeff Meisel emphasized the importance of mapping the customer journey across both digital and physical channels. By focusing on every touchpoint, Constellation Brands built a strong DTC strategy that increased customer loyalty and engagement, boosting long-term retention and brand love.

2. When faced with platform limitations, Constellation Brands built a custom loyalty program instead of relying on third-party solutions. This decision, driven by business needs, helped them cater to multiple brands and create personalized experiences, improving customer satisfaction.

By Billee Howard | SEP 8, 2024
Read the original article at FORBES

Undercover Insights and Hands-On Research: Unique CEO Strategies for Business Growth

1. Before taking over, Red Lobster’s new CEO, Damola Adamolekun, secretly visited locations, assessing food quality and speaking with employees. His approach helped him understand the brand’s strengths and weaknesses, offering him key insights to guide the company through bankruptcy.

2. Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, visited 40-50 bars to study post-pandemic drinking habits. By observing trends directly, he made informed decisions, such as acquiring Monkey 47 gin based on bartenders’ recommendations, showcasing a hands-on market research strategy.

By Sasha Rogelberg | SEP 7, 2024
Read the original article at FORTUNE