Many leaders ask: how do we nurture the spirit of innovation to stay a step ahead of the competition? When Micheline, one of the leading global tyre manufacturers, wanted to stay relevant and create customer loyalty, it asked: how do we create a great travel experience while deepening customer engagement. The answer was effective execution of the idea of publishing authoritative a travel guide, with detailed information about car tyre repair centres, mechanics locations, good restaurants, and other directions of where to find what. With the invention of mobile phones and the yellow book, the Micheline travel guide started losing…
The Football strategy and business transformation: Occupying the empty spaces
Are you fighting for space or do you focus on empty spaces? What is your competitive focus? I used to play No. 9 during my Primary school times. One day, the new school football coach came to our class, which was Primary Five. He said; “if you know football, raise your hand.” All the boys in the classroom raised their hands. He added, “If you know football and how to play it, stand up.” Half of the boys in the class stood up, including me. Unknown to us, the new coach had already talked to pupils in Primary Four and…
BOU’s Mutebile: replacing the emperor?
He is arguably one of the oldest serving governors. A day off at the office is noticed by all and sundry. That is how Bank of Uganda governor, Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile (“ETM” or “Mutebile”) has established himself at the central bank. However, recent happenings point to his possible exit. The issue at hand now is the timing? Will he be let go before the elections or after? The governor’s contract will be expiring in January 2016. There are two options: it is renewed before the end of 2015 or the process of finding a replacement is commenced as soon as…
Headache and testicles
Joe had suffered from really bad headaches for the last 20 years. He eventually decides to go and see a Doctor. The Doctor says, ‘Joe, the good news is I can cure your headaches. The bad news is that it will require removing your testicles. You have a very rare condition, which causes your testicles to press on your spine and the pressure creates one hell of a headache.The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles.’ Joe is shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He had no choice but to…
Team meetings; future-ready agenda to hold productive meetings
Blah blah blah… that is how the Chairperson opens most meetings where they talk and talk and talk, without significant impact on solving the most pressing issues that caused the meeting in the first place. Meetings take a long time because everyone wants to say something and in the process, lots of noise and less value. Some leaders want to call people for a meeting to just give them instructions. In these kinds of meetings, people are likely to sleep off. For real, I have attended meetings where the brain evaluated the options available – sleep or continue listening and…
Culture audit: why your organization needs one
Before a culture audit, you need to understand the current culture at any organization. The right culture provides a foundation for high performance. Do not start speeding before you define the destination. A culture to put in place a strategy is critical. If you just wake up from the bed and begin running in any direction, the chances that you will end nowhere are very high. Speed without direction is useless. First, define the direction and begin running towards that direction. The strategy provides the right direction. And culture gives the discipline to drive safely on the road. Why do…