OPINION - Why do Organizations FIB?

Recently we collected an article from the Lorne Rubis Blog that illuminates a well-known HR problem. Thank you to Lorne and Garrett Rubis.

THE ARTICLE

OPINION - The IBM C-Suite Study is a Very Valuable Resource

The IBM C-suite Study Draws Input from 12,854 Respondents Across 6 C-suite Roles in 112 Countries

Titled "Incumbents Strike Back", this research from the IBM Institute for Business Value, discovers and documents the truth trends of the present state of business under four headings:

• Dancing with Disruption
• Trust in the Journey
• Orchestrating the Future
• Innovation in Motion

Yes, I know we published a video featuring Ginni Rometty (IBM's CEO) yesterday and yes, I know we risk being called out as someone indoctrinated by IBM, but - rarely is such valuable research made available free of charge.

Certainly every business stakeholder including C-suite, managers, directors and investors will benefit from spending time with this document. Even small and medium sized businesses will find value here.

"As platforms proliferate, every industry seems likely to feel what’s been called the Amazon effect: the endless evolution and disruption of its markets" IBM C-suite Study

Why am I so taken with this research? Because nearly everyone in the InfoStream global audience is trying to understand when or how disruption and innovation will impact their business. Incumbents feel particularly vulnerable as they watch innovation and disruption surround them and add risk to the legacy they have built.

"What’s required, now more than ever, is the fortitude for perpetual reinvention" IBM C-suite Study

Paradigm 'Right Think' advisory services are applied to gain digital velocity. Developing the velocity to escape the gravitational pull of culture, peers and disruptors is job one. Building ecosystems using a 'platform business model' is the new mandate. IBM has provided a road map.

DOWNLOAD THE ROAD MAP

About Executive Producer, Larry R. Evans:

Larry Evans is a trusted business advisor and ecosystem advocate. He is Principal of The Paradigm Corporation @ Thunder Ridge in Crossfield, Alberta, Canada, and is known for bringing a unique and predictive lens to paradigm shifts in a career that spans 45 years. Now often from his wheelchair, he brings a grounded, tenacious view of business called 'right think'. His perspective and values influence his life, business and ministry.

OPINION - Warren Buffett Shares His Thoughts on American Wealth

Warren Buffett, CEO and Chair, Berkshire Hathaway

I have good news. 

First, most American children are going to live far better than their parents did. 

Second, large gains in the living standards of Americans will continue for many generations to come.

In a recent Article in Times Magazine Warren Buffett provided an overview of wealth creation in America as well as his take on the future. It's a compelling read. 

Buffett does not agree with the pessimism of those who feel innovation and technology are leading us over a cliff. His numbers and reasoning seem sound. He and partner Charlie Munger are often headed upstream, but it's hard not to admit to the success they have produced.

What Warren and Charlie have perfected is an ability to be 'expert-generalists'. Orit Gadiesh, chairman of Bain & Co, who coined the term, describes the expert-generalist as:

"Someone who has the ability and curiosity to master and collect expertise in many different disciplines, industries, skills, capabilities, countries, and topics., etc. He or she can then, without necessarily even realizing it, but often by design: Draw on a palette of diverse knowledge to recognize patterns and connect the dots across multiple areas; and, Drill deep to focus and perfect the thinking."

It is hard not to imagine that an expert-generalist will have an advantage in the digital economy.

OPINION - Disruption and Upset Continues in 2018

Thanks to http://www.azquotes.com/ for this quote

As we move into 2018 there are ten  trends that bear further attention:

1. Retail aggregation will continue as large retailers gobble up innovators and boutique plays at an increased pace, at prices that will astonish those who value revenue and free cash flow. Watch for refactoring among bricks and mortar retailers and the geography (malls) they occupy. Expect Target, Macy's and other challenged retailers to be acquired by e-commerce giants like Amazon, Walmart or Alibaba.  
2. Smart device sales flat line as consumers recognize they have all the imaging, resolution, speed and connections they require, all the capacity they can use and as they realize there is no reason to carry laptops or tablets when a smartphone provides the functions they use. Watch as the competitive battle moves from devices to applications that support the things (home, vehicle and appliances) every consumer owns.
3. Successful emerging applications will feature a Voice User Interface - (VUI) and the ability to deliver what consumers want, when they want it ('speak and make it so'). Watch keyboarding and pretty websites vanish as the battle for the home heats up (Alexa, Google, etc.) and everyone figures out that whoever controls the 'last mile' controls the consumer wallet.
4. Networks will be disrupted as consumers increasingly chose On Demand services (access when and where they want it). Watch for YouTube as well as other Streaming and On Demand services to grow while serial network programs, news and even sports fall off the table.
5. Marketing agencies will realign activities to encourage 'discoverability' when a need occurs (episodic approach), a more seamless client experience (CX), authentic user stories and generating Client Lifetime Value (CVL). Watch as brands attempt to engage/support influencers and invest heavily to sustain client loyalty (not loyalty points/cards) while the new client acquisition costs they must bear climb even higher.
6. The end of printed resources (printed anything) nears as online services provide consumers with DIY videos as well as image recognition to support buying and using the things they want. Watch for a negative impact to brand's grip on the consumer as digital services and search engines like Youtube and Google, have become the go to place for consumer support.
7. Disruption and upset will develop more frequently outside a market sector than from inside. Watch for those outside a market sector to see more clearly the innovation and opportunity to expand the clients they serve while those on the inside lose grip on the very clients they depend on.
8. Rotation strategies trump margin. We all know, the number of times a product turns over in inventory ('turns') each year is more significant than margin. However e-tailers now turn inventory over 25-30 times a year and obtain operating profits with a margin of 11.5% or even less. Watch e-tailers advance strategies that shorten the path to the consumer, attract advance payment and push responsibility for inventory financing onto the brand, distributor or manufacturer. The scale of large e-tailers has placed extreme competitive pressure on brands, distributors and legacy retailers whose inventory turns are much lower.
9. The new mantra is 'open source', 'first-to-market' and 'ecosystem' where the comfort and convenience offered by collaborators sustains a relationship built on the trust and satisfaction of the consumer. Watch for patent and protection tactics to fade as the new sharing economy drives strategies that deliver abundance instead of scarcity.
10. Regulatory battles will ensue as the strong gain market share at the expense of the weak. Watch for regulators to play a 'monopoly' card and apply pressure to strong players using consumer protection as the justification.

Draw up a chair and watch as 2018 delivers some really interesting plays in the new digital economy.

OPINION - Don Tapscott Shares Ten Cryptocurrency Predictions for 2018

Executive Director of the Blockchain Research Institute Predicts Cryptocurrency Developments for 2018

Don Tapscott, well known author and speaker as well as the global poster boy for blockchain takes a look at cryptocurrency. This article is a valuable read for those interested in how cryptocurrency is impacting, disrupting and creating opportunities for business. The ten things Tapscott addresses are these:

1. Cryptocurrency continues to grow
2. Cryptocurrency craze broadens to embrace blockchain business transformations
3. New platform for value creation emerges
4. Shift in ICOs towards equity tokens
5. Cracks in the walls of digital feudalism
6. Digital conglomerates wade in
7. Implementation of fiat cryptocurrencies (finally)
8. Regulation fever—The good, the bad and the ugly
9. Breakthroughs on energy and climate change
10. Growing crypto resilience

OPINION - Schindler gets a wake up call.

Googles Chief Business Officer Talks About His Wake-up Call

Does more always equal better? It's a question Philipp Schindler spent some time thinking about after his kids decided he wasn't their first choice to take them to a playground.

This personal article is a must read for senior management and everyone interested in success, health and wellbeing.

Our 'always on' culture can eliminate the most valuable things from life if you aren't careful.

OPINION - Sangita Sharma on Dietary Nutrition

11 MINUTES ON DIETARY NUTRITION AND BEEF

She sees beef (and other red meat) as a wonderful supply of dietary nutrients as well as the minerals and vitamins we all require. 

OPINION - Yoplait's Mom On Campaign Takes a Stand

Someone is always judging moms! 

Yoplait brings this into focus for everyone and makes a compelling sales proposition. According to Google, the campaign delivered best-in-class results across all five Brand Lift metrics, including a whopping 1,461% lift in Brand Interest.

Good stuff here!

OPINION - Josh Marshall on the Digital Media Crash

Joshua Marshall is an American Polk Award-winning journalist and blogger who founded Talking Points Memo. 

The New York Times Magazine calls his blog "one of the most popular and most respected sites" in the blogosphere.

Perhaps you've been wondering how the digital media/advertising/news complex works. Or, perhaps you're wondering why advertising seems more expensive and less effective than you expected in this new paradigm. 

What ever you imagined, this opinion piece is a good explanation of what may be occurring. What Marshall has to say about the digital news media crash deserves further attention by investors, advertisers and marketers. 

Here is the link to his article published on November 17th. 

OPINION - Peter Hinssen on Ignorance and Innovation

A serial entrepreneur, advisor, keynote speaker and author, Peter Hinssen is one of the most sought-after thought leaders on radical innovation, leadership and the impact of all things digital on society and business.

Hinssen brings forward the idea that organizations need to have a percentage of people who Don't Know What They Are Doing to be innovative and bring forward the best result for the future. 

Hinssen points to emerging companies where the percentage of these people is much higher than in mature organizations. He shows that innovators in these legacy organizations spend a disproportionate amount of their time wrestling with those who Know What They Are Doing but will never generate a different result. 

EDITORIAL - What Yahoo can Teach us about Business

The VOX Technology article by Tim Lee yesterday provides an explanation of Verizon's purchase of Yahoo.

There's no happy little internet story here.

In fact, Yahoo, like AOL is a story of missed opportunities and failed strategies.

A company that made correct early stage investments in the very companies that would later dethrone it in 'search' and 'social'. A company that was once the biggest play on the internet brought to its knees and sold for a tiny percentage of its earlier market valuation.

Analysts suggest that Verizon will reap the benefits of adding Yahoo’s advertising engine to its 100 million subscribers, and well they might.

However, the real learning for everyone in business may be from understanding how a company with the largest base of subscribers in early internet history, a trusted ecosystem if you will, lost its way.

Personal digital devices and a ubiquitous internet (mobile network) have redefined the power structure for consumers and marketers.

Around the world consumers, who own 'demand' are being empowered to evaluate and discover brands that own the 'supply' (product/service) at the moment they desire something. We observe that movement from brand to brand is often radical and completely unrelated to the value or supply chain that was once paramount. The new environment honors the quick draw and the agility of those who command this new frontier. Remember the 'Oreo tweet' of Super Bowl 2013.

  

Expect to see more traditional brands like ‘Unilever’ acquiring upstarts like Dollar Shave Club in a quest for loyal subscriber/customers.

Expect to see more brands experiment like P and G's approach to the Tide brand with the Tide Wash Club.

Expect to see subscriber-based valuations for ecosystems like LinkedIn or Wind Mobile continue to rise well beyond traditional valuations which are based on free cash flow or income.

Expect to see the 'experience factor' (length of subscriber experience) of active residual subscribers become the most important aspect of value.

The times, they are 'a changin' and it may be time to review the things we value in business.

About Executive Producer, Larry R. Evans:

Larry Evans is a futurist, a brand developer and a collaboration advocate. He is Principal of The Paradigm Corporation, which is headquartered at Thunder Ridge just outside Crossfield, Alberta, Canada. He is known for bringing a unique and predictive lens to paradigm shifts during a career that spans 45 years. Now from his wheelchair, he brings a grounded, tenacious view of brand, client rights and trusted relationships for the digital age. His perspective and values influence his life, business and ministry.

Opinion - 2014 Summit a Success!

Stephanie McDonald 
InfoStream Guest Author 

The 9^th Urban Animal Summit in my opinion was a great success. The conference took place in the most beautiful and tranquil setting Chateau Lake Louise. 

The Summit was attended by a diverse group of leaders from many sectors involved with animals from corporate, not for profit and commercial enterprises. The mission of the summit was to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead”

From where I sat they certainly accomplished that and then some. The MC for the weekend, Dr. Jason Coe, was extremely professional, organized, a bit witty and most importantly kept things on time. They had some fun use of technology where they could poll the audience for opinions and even allowed voting for the Innovation Showcase Series following presentations. 

I would not consider this a typical learning conference; I would say that the weekend was about creating conversations and opportunities for national initiatives.

Due to the diverse group attending, the conversations over the weekend opened up different view points and perspectives that previously most would not have the opportunity to be exposed to. With the wide variety of topics explored from survey results, to ongoing studies and some successful projects that are up and running there was never a dull moment. Rich conversations continued into the evening events and new bonds and friendships were made.

The vibe in the room through the entire Summit was collaborative, knowledge sharing and interesting. I do have to say at times though it was difficult to focus on the events as the room sported large windows overlooking the lake and it was easy to get lost in the beauty of nature surrounding you. 

Through the weekend we kept hearing the African Proverb, If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. The reminder of this proverb through the Summit served to keep folks focused on the conversation and to encourage relationships to serve urban animals in the future. 

Great job to the organizers and a thank you to the sponsors.

Pet food industry crystal ball

The pet industry has shown lucrative numbers in recent years but not all companies and products are thriving. Petfood Industry editor-in-chief Debbie Phillips-Donaldson had a peek in her 'crystal ball' in an attempt to predict the trends and risks that may affect the pet food industry in 2014. 

Her opinion editorial shares some insight on current issues faced by the industry and questions the likelihood of these issues changing the face of that industry for the coming year. 

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

Opinion - On Space, Spacious and Spaciousness

As the world gears up for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, a global conversation around sexual orientation has developed. It is interesting if not entertaining. But perhaps the most important lesson from watching, is that conversations with those holding different values requires a special kind of 'Space'. Because of the passion involved, whether its sexual orientation, religion or animal welfare, the need for this 'Space' is evident.

Earlier this year, while working to bring attention to Bountiful Film’s documentary ‘Dog Dazed’, I observed elements of the pet experience involving the passion of those outside the Urban Animal Industry. They were not always pet owners and often not even recognized as stakeholders. However, they all were involved in a passionate fight for resources (investment, infrastructure, control, enforcement, etc.). Creating a more 'Spacious' environment where understanding and collaboration could thrive to create healthier communities for pets and people was not always the focus.

By this point you must wonder, what these observations have to do with pets, pet owners, the Urban Animal Program, or conversations about animal welfare, breeders, sources and evidence of the pet experience. Just this:

• Space - During the past eight years the Urban Animal Program has created a 'space' (vessel) that is dedicated to understand the pet experience in urban municipalities for the benefit of all.
• Spacious – Together we have learned, the Urban Animal Program Events must be 'spacious', drawing people from all experiences and values to conversations which add understanding to the Pet Experience Project.
• Spaciousness – Today, Urban Animal Affiliates, Advocates, Mentors, Alumni, Associates, Collaborators and Subscribers interact with their colleagues in a respectful, trustful and open manner to move conversations forward, to recast dilemmas into the opportunities of tomorrow. In 2014, we must work to add those outside the 'Space' such as researchers, academics, urban planners, social and community service providers, and others that bring perspective to the Pet Experience Project.

Now I’m just a country boy, but that’s how I see it.

Larry Evans, is a senior executive of PetLynx Corporation, the largest, fastest growing lifetime registry of pets and pet owners in North America.