Eddielogic

– Thoughts on Strategy and Management

October 7, 2015
by Dagmar
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Henry Mintzberg to achieve Thinkers50 Lifetime Achievement Award

This year’s Thinkers50 ranking publication is getting closer. Besides that, they have already announced that Henry Mintzberg will receive the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award. I think he is an excellent choice. Continue Reading →

October 2, 2015
by Dagmar
3 Comments

The workshop from hell

Today I like to share with you the story of a workshop I was supposed to lead. It was a true workshop from hell. In terms of results, it was a complete waste of time. (In my defense I’d like to state that I was fairly inexperienced at that time).

I am sure you’ve been to your own workshops from hell. Anyway, read my story, smile about my mistakes, and take away some lessons: Continue Reading →

Quotes on strategy and innovation from my readings

September 28, 2015
by Dagmar
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The best quotes from my September readings

I read a lot about strategy making in today’s dynamic environment and about innovation – two areas that are closely interrelated. The business environment has changed dramatically over the last couple of years; it is now described as a VUCA-world. This requires new approaches to both – strategy and innovation. Despite the rising awareness for this fact, many businesses are still struggling to adapt their approaches, processes, and – most importantly – their thinking to these new challenges.

This is reflected in my favorite picks from this month’s readings: Continue Reading →

September 23, 2015
by Dagmar
1 Comment

The four best pieces of business advice I ever got

In the course of our working life, we sometimes come across some words of wisdom and advice that simply stick. They give us guidance and help us to overcome obstacles. In this post, I share the four most valuable pieces of advice that helped me in my professional development. Continue Reading →

There are still many people who secretly long for the job for life

September 15, 2015
by Dagmar
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The job for life is gone? Not for everybody!

By now, word has gotten around that that there is no such thing as a “Job for Life” any longer. What really surprises me is how many people are totally stunned when they realize that this insight applies to them too. Maybe our world of work isn’t that much transformed as we might think. Continue Reading →

Kids learn to walk - you should give them enough time

September 9, 2015
by Dagmar
2 Comments

You have to waste time in order to save time

The business world is trimmed on maximum efficiency. Why would you waste your time when there are plenty of support tools, designed to help you become more efficient?
Time is a limited resource. Businesses aim to utilize their scarce resources to a maximum degree. They try to streamline routine tasks. They send managers and employees to time management seminars in order to make most of their valuable time.
Isn’t it a stupid advice to waste time? Continue Reading →

VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity

September 4, 2015
by Dagmar
4 Comments

Did you know we live in a VUCA world?

I may be lagging behind a bit – I discovered the term “VUCA” only this week. The words this acronym stands for are, however, well known and present for everyone concerned with strategy and management these days.

Management theory and practice widely accept today that businesses operate in a more and more complex, dynamic, less predictable environment. Until now, I never managed to describe these environmental conditions in less than a whole sentence. From now on, I can use just four letters: Continue Reading →

improvised outside summer desk on our rooftop terrace

September 1, 2015
by Dagmar
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The joy of working in summer

It’s warm these days in Germany. We enjoy the last days in summer. So I decided to make as much use of it as I could. It took a bit of improvising – I moved my workplace to the outside.

The amazing view is almost distracting. However, I like working while my eyes wander around a bit.

Here is my summer desk

improvised outside summer desk on our rooftop terrace

My improvised desk on our roof terrace

Continue Reading →

When your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail

August 31, 2015
by Dagmar
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About hammers and nails, problems and solutions

We all tend to refer back to our experience when faced with problems. This might be an efficient approach, although not always the best one. There is a serious risk in relying on our experience.

Of course, experience is a great thing. It prevents you from making the same mistake twice. Over time you learn what works in a particular situation and what doesn’t. Every failure offers you a chance to learn something. As Thomas A. Edison said:

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

However, your experience will only guide you to success, Continue Reading →