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Read my articles about organizational growth and transforming from the inside out!
Magic happens when the French Wizard COO and the Japanese middle managers team up
How did French COO Carlos Ghosn transform a struggling Nissan into one of the most profitable carmakers in the world in 1999? he tapped into his abilities to empower others and to succinctly navigate an Asian “closed” culture. Discover the magic of cross-cultural leadership, where a French 'Wizard COO' unlocked the potential of Japanese middle managers to drive one of the most remarkable corporate turnarounds in history.
Pink pants, pink cabins in Dubai, and safe spaces
While riding the Dubai Metro, I found myself decompressing in the pink cabins reserved for women and children—a small but meaningful safe space amidst the city's hustle. This made me reflect on safe spaces in organizations. By fostering trust, open communication, and a culture where learning from failure is celebrated, leaders can create environments that empower their teams to innovate and grow sustainably.
Empowering managers: the ‘cost to achieve’ mindset shift
In a company-wide cost-cutting and operational excellence program, I discovered an approach that turns cost-cutting into an empowering exercise. By shifting to a ‘cost-to-achieve’ mindset, we enabled managers to see cost savings as opportunities for strategic investment. This approach allowed them to take charge, creating solutions aligned with both savings and long-term goals.
How to not kill creativity in organizations
I discuss how embracing "mini-c" creativity—the small, personal acts of experimentation—can spark innovation within organizations. Examples are: Google’s 20% time policy, Safaricomm M-PESA, or posts-it’s created by 3M. Bonus: A checklist for senior managers to entice employees to experiment and get creative.
KPIs pulling double duty: Expansion meets transformation
Do you face the double challenge of leading both a transformation and an international expansion? I have a solution for you. The key to success lies in measuring the "right" KPIs—where operational efficiency, revenue growth, and employee engagement converge. Discover which combination of KPIs drive progress.
Why going fast in transformations means slowing down to partner up
In the rush of leading large-scale transformations, it's easy to overlook the power of collaboration. By revisiting insights from classic management thinkers, we can unlock key strategies—leveraging partnerships for innovation, speed, and competitive advantage. Sometimes, turning to "old" wisdom is exactly what modern transformations need.
How Blockchain, VR, and AI transform the Fashion industry from the inside out
At the Fashion Fusion Tech Summit in NYC on 23 September, I discovered how blockchain, VR, and AI are revolutionizing the fashion industry. From boosting transparency to tackling sustainability challenges, see how fashion innovators are driving the next wave of transformation.
Working with the Wizard CEO: Crafting a Swiss bank’s purpose
Learn how in 2021, I served a "Wizard CEO", a CMO and a brand team to create an organization's purpose from scratch. This transformation project was all about engaging key stakeholders, managing multiple service providers, and delivering a unified purpose that resonated throughout the organization.
The potent amalgam of AI ambassadors, a failure culture and openness to change
At GEA in Germany, the combination of top-down strategic imperatives, internal AI ambassadors, and a decentralized decision-making approach has led to widespread AI adoption, demonstrating a practical model for leveraging AI to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
Transforming organizational strategy to align with client workflows
Explore how my strategic change management plan enhanced operational efficiency and stakeholder alignment at a MedTech company. Learn how my tailored solutions drove successful organizational redesign and continuous improvement
How to assess organizational culture: a guideline
Creating your own cultural assessment framework might sound daunting, but it's a practical and effective way to understand your organization's culture. By using a mix of qualitative tools, such as interviews, and tried-and-tested tools available on the analytics market, such as Culture Amp's tools or the Qualtrics survey platform, you can gather comprehensive data.
Restoring integrity: ethics and compliance transformation post-scandal"
Discover how my strategic consulting led to a successful organizational turnaround of the Palestinian Shippers Council (PSC), enhancing operational efficiency and financial stability.
Leadership dialogues – when authenticity is your strongest asset
This case study examines the implementation of leadership dialogues at a major German bank to enhance communication and employee morale during significant organizational restructuring. By fostering transparency and strengthening connections between senior leaders and their teams, the initiative successfully navigated change management challenges.
The Digital divide: Metaverse shops vs. Internal digitalization lags
Discover the digital transformation challenges faced by luxury fashion companies and the unique specifics of the fashion industry. Learn about the contrast between advanced Metaverse shops and outdated internal systems, and explore strategies to bridge this digital gap.
Applying Lessons from the Girlboss Rally to Bottom-Up Transformations
The Girlboss Rally, a vibrant two-day meeting of entrepreneurial women, presents a fascinating case study of the transformative potential of community-driven initiatives. In this article, I reflect on lessons learned and how these can inform the planning and implementation of bottom-up transformations.
Mastering transformations: the power of reverse-engineering
My approach to transformations begins with a unique tactic: becoming a hermit for two days. This time allows me to delve deep into the project by reverse engineering it. By starting from the project's endpoint and working backward, I ensure a comprehensive understanding of all the necessary steps and milestones required for success
Comprehensive Organizational Turnaround at the Palestinian Shippers Council
Discover how my strategic consulting led to a successful organizational turnaround of the Palestinian Shippers Council (PSC), enhancing operational efficiency and financial stability.
Rediscover your employees’ tacit know how
Explore innovative strategies in organizational development and change management to unleash the hidden potential of tacit knowledge. Learn how to foster employee engagement through transformative approaches such as informational interviews, driving sustainable growth and adaptation.
Navigating Your First 30 Days: Essential Advice for Transformation, Change and PMO LEADS
Kickstart your leadership journey with expert insights tailored for newly appointed Heads of Transformation, Change Management, and PMO roles. Learn practical strategies to drive effective change and project management during your crucial initial 30 days.
Transform Your Organization with a Change Competence Center: Insights from Scrooge McDuck
Learn how establishing a Change Competence Center can optimize your organization's transformation processes and save costs. Discover practical steps, inspired by Scrooge McDuck's money-wise approach, to preserve and leverage tacit knowledge for sustainable growth.
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