Constructive Thinking

  • Blog Archive for Feb 2011
    • Posted on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
      • by Joanne McGowan
        Change is a key factor for many Aveus clients. More often than not, we’re talking big change, a major transformation – the kind of complex challenge we love to dig into. Most recently, we wrapped up a four-year assignment with Deluxe supporting the transformation of the organization in the face of significant shifts in the marketplace (see my post earlier this week for more on our Deluxe role).  Leading and managing change is really a marathon and in the midst of the work it is easy to lose sight of some of the simple principles that are essential to effective transformation. I thought I would share lesson of these for all those leaders grappling with big change efforts.
    • Posted on Friday, February 25, 2011
      • by Paula Morgan

        Henry Kissinger, once when addressing a group of reporters asked them, “Does anyone have any questions for my answers?”  Funny, yes.  And, ironically true.  Leaders are expected to have answers. Often however, they don’t match or don’t appease whoever is asking the questions.  As business leaders we encounter this all the time. Customer, shareholder, employee or other questions that all need context before the answers satisfy. Or, we feel ill-prepared to answer important questions that arrive at our desks and so we talk about what we want to discuss.

        Once we’re engaged with a client, we like to haul out the tough questions. This doesn’t have to be the case.  You can be prepared and create the context for any subject that comes your way. How? Believe it or not – by creating – and confirming - clear, specific responses to 5 questions that any business should be able to answer.