Entries in Examples (5)
“Don’t have any Secrets”: Opening up a Culture
Frontier Example
Secrets of success were shared at last week’s Colorado Business Show, so it sounds like odd advice not to have any secrets. Those are the words of Frontier Airlines chairman Sam Addoms. “The effects are rather stunning. You eliminate the ruling class of an organization.” The ruling class holds power by withholding information. In addition, you eliminate the need for the “the CIA”.
Michael Cushman
in Examples, Culture, Leadership
|
Post a Comment
Broken Chopstick, Unintended Consequences
A lesson in unintended consequences.
A high ranking official, from a nearby Asian country, is enjoying his meal at an important function in one of China’s best five-star hotels, when one of his chopsticks breaks. The shame and embarrassment to the hotel and to the country is deep. Everyone involved has lost face.
The next morning, the hotel’s General Manager (GM) calls a meeting of all department heads to find out why the chopstick broke. Who is to blame?
Michael Cushman
in Examples, Leadership
|
Post a Comment
What’s the Problem? System or People?
System or People
This is a true story and a great example of the challenges of change leadership.
A large insurance company that had grown by M&A was experiencing new levels of competition. In the past, customers were loyal to a provider for many years. Now commercial customers are shopping for new providers each renewal period. Revenues and profits are dropping. Further, there’s a perceived need for a major software application upgrade (in the $40-to-100 million range) for the healthcare insurance division. Should the company change systems at this time? Read and ponder for yourself.
Michael Cushman
in Examples, Mechanistic Solutions, Culture
|
1 Comment
Q: Would you cry if your boss left the company?
Business isn't all numbers and systems. I attended an event that brings up questions about the human / relationship side of business. These people cried. why?
Michael Cushman
in Examples, Leadership
|
Post a Comment
Example of Results from Cultural Change
Summit Auto Group in the UK grew by acquisition, creating a hodge-podge of geographically dispersed sites and franchises that lack management controls. Its parent company, Sumitomo, picks you to be CEO, and your mission is to stop the red ink and standardize operations to enable future growth by acquisition and by adding new dealerships for existing franchise partners. What do you do? (Before you click to read more, for the fun of it, mull this over in your mind.)
Michael Cushman
in Examples, Culture, Leadership
|
Post a Comment