May 17, 2007

The Empowerment Doctrine

Filed under: Great People, Leadership — Ryan Mongan @ 4:08 pm

Summary: This is the single strongest indicator I have found of a company’s cultural strength. (more…)

May 9, 2007

Brand like you sell sugar water

Filed under: Design, Niche Business, Branding — David Law @ 6:46 am

Summary: Great small companies create specialized products that target an identified user group and are unique in the market. Great small companies most often don’t have the luxury of a brand manager or often even a marketing department. Learn from the branding efforts of the big guys and have your next product release be an even greater success in the market. (more…)

May 8, 2007

A Disturbance in the Force

Filed under: Niche Business, Leadership — Ryan Mongan @ 2:51 pm

Summary: I was at a love fest recently that was all about extolling the virtues of entrepreneurial niche businesses. Then, someone said how she was consulting with large companies on successfully defeating entrepreneurial startups. That was a buzz killer. (more…)

May 1, 2007

Entrepreneurial edge with a safety net

Filed under: Great People, Leadership, Hiring — Ryan Mongan @ 10:22 am

Summary: What makes a great CEO? While I can’t answer that question, I can say what we look for in a CEO for a brand new entrepreneurial startup. (more…)

April 29, 2007

A thick creature killed common station mice!

Filed under: Design — David Law @ 8:19 am

Summary: Clear communication is the first step on the road to great design and often the most overlooked… (more…)

April 27, 2007

Under Armour = Under Dog?

Filed under: Niche Business, Finance — Ryan Mongan @ 8:43 pm

Summary: Under Armour is a Wall Street high flyer currently trading at 63 times earnings. However, almost 25% of its stock is currently being shorted. It is either going up or down in a big way. What’s your guess? (more…)

April 22, 2007

Invent Opportunity

Filed under: Corporate Innovation — Ryan Mongan @ 9:24 pm

Summary: Meg Witman from eBay relates a story about her company’s evolution. Who was in control? (Hint: not Meg) (more…)

April 20, 2007

Crisis Evolution

Filed under: Leadership, Corporate Innovation — Ryan Mongan @ 10:38 pm

Summary: When you are about ready to take your last breath is when you make the biggest strides. (more…)

April 18, 2007

Fight the ego magnet

Filed under: Design, Niche Business — Ryan Mongan @ 9:12 pm

Summary: Ego can help heighten drive. However, it can climb into the driver’s seat and take you for a ride. (more…)

April 15, 2007

Diversified Businesses

Filed under: Corporate Innovation — Ryan Mongan @ 8:53 pm

Summary: As Steven Covey says, “When you have synergy, 1 + 1 equals 3, 5, 10, or 50.” (more…)