cover story
Innovation is not everything
Companies often engage in quick fixes in a bid to be seen as innovative. While this may bring in short-term value, failing to focus on the long term could erode their most valuable moat—the brand. Hap Klopp explains why a brand’s story is not just about its logo or taglines. It is the combined accumulated impact of every aspect of the business, authoritatively unified under imaginative but single-minded direction.
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interview
From firms to ecosystems
In a VUCA world, where value is created and destroyed in surprising ways in every industry, many organizations respond by investing in new technologies only to keep up with the competition. Ralph Welborn, co-author of Topple—The End of the Firm-Based Strategy and Rise of New Models for Explosive Growth argues that what has made businesses effective today will not work tomorrow. He proposes that individuals (or organizations) need to answer the ‘new strategic question’ and understand its implications on what they do, how they do it, and with whom they do it so they can identify and capture new sources of value.
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Discovering value
“Commercialising innovative ideas is a constant run. It requires immense efforts, as you attempt to move forward and make progress on your way while facing one hurdle after the other…entrepreneurs and innovators are trained to run fast…running fast may be useless if you are not running in the right direction.” Entrepreneurs have to focus on valuable market opportunities but encounter failure when wrong choices are made due to flawed evaluation. Sharon Tal, co-author with Marc Gruber of Where to Play, tells us how one can choose and prepare to act on an opportunity, using a tool such as the ‘market opportunity navigator’, staying focused and agile.
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Dealing with the unpredictable
Crisis—whether unknowingly self-inflicted or due to external factors—is an impending reality and it is only prudent that companies always have a plan ready for the worst. Ramya Ramamurthy, author, REBUILD, details what a good crisis management strategy comprises, gives anecdotes of how bad decision-making has led to the downfall of even giant corporations, and explores the role of PR in sustaining reputation in difficult times.
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