Strategy Matrix » Competition

Gates and Jobs Q&A Session Highlights at D5

billinman — Thu, 31 May 2007 22:24:13 +0000

Below is a video clip of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs sharing the same stage for the first time in 20 years – fielding questions at the D5 conference. It is interesting to see how these two business leaders interact and how they answer questions in one another’s presence. Interestingly (possibly predictably), and reminiscent of their products, in this interview Steve Jobs seems more ‘marketable’ and Bill Gates seems more ‘thoughtful’ and ’strategic’.

HOW DOES YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE OR THE LEADERSHIP STYLE OF YOUR COMPANY’S CEO, BOARD, OR EXECUTIVES SHAPE THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT YOUR COMPANY DELIVERS?

Strategy Maps: Operation’s Relation to Shareholder Value

billinman — Thu, 31 May 2007 06:45:51 +0000

In the book “Strategy Maps: Converting Intangible Assets Into Tangible Outcomes,” by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton, the authors write:

While operational excellence alone is not the basis of a sustainable strategy, managing operations remains a priority for all organizations. Without excellent operations, companies will find it difficult to execute strategies, even strategies that are not dependent on having the lowest cost structure in the industry.

Kaplan and Norton describe operations management as the encompassing four important processes:

Develop and sustain supplier relationships
Produce products and services
Distribute and deliver products and services to customers
Manage risk

They provide the following strategy map as an overview on how operations (shaded) produces long-term shareholder value. This strategy map, including operations management as well as four pillars of the organization (financial, customer, internal and learning & growth perspectives) is a superb guide to what produces the shareholder value that is crucial to any organization.

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGE VIEW

Strategy Maps: Converting Intangible Assets Into Tangible Outcomes. [Robert S. Kaplan & David P. Norton]

Strategy Matrix by Bill Inman

JC Penney “on Target” to Increase Income

admin — Tue, 29 May 2007 06:15:22 +0000

JC Penney is leveraging strategies utilized by Target to survive in the competitive retail market. The following was written on AOL Money & Finance BloggingStocks:

The retailer saw a 13% increase in first-quarter income which it reported a little over a week ago based on increased sales of exclusive fashions. Late last week, the retailer even upped its profit outlook for 2007. Is Penney’s making the right moves to ensure sustained competitiveness and profitability? From all appearances, yes it is. And price has little to do with it — the retailer is focusing on branding (exclusive brands) and upper-scale advertising (combined with a sense of “discountedness”) to drive sales.

How can you borrow successful strategies from competitors to increase sales and profitability in your business?

JC Penny sales rise as company borrows strategy from Target. [BloggingStocks - Brian White]