Category Archives: Growth

Remember, Nothing Fails Like Success

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Stuart Cross

Many companies struggle and fail, not because they are bad at what they do, but because they are great at what they do. Look at Kodak, for example. Its decline didn’t result from the company being poor at film processing. … Continue reading →

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The Customer’s Not Always Right, But That’s The Way To Bet

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Stuart Cross

In dynamic, turbulent and fast-moving markets, driven by almost unbelievable technological advancements, you can easily become distracted by the noise and activity in your markets and forget this critical business truth. You do so at your peril. Like a party … Continue reading →

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Strategy Is Like Football – They Both Need A Goal

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Stuart Cross

This is the second in a series of articles expanding on my recent post, Strategic Power: A Manifesto to Revolutionise Growth. When I coach my junior football teams and we’re doing passing exercises, the boys can quickly lose enthusiasm. But … Continue reading →

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5 Ways To Keep Your Strategy On Track

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Stuart Cross

In the late 1990s, I took up my first major strategy role, leading the strategy team at the UK retail and pharmacy chain, Boots the Chemists. Not long after I started my role things changed for Boots – and not … Continue reading →

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Cross Shots: Cracking The Growth Code

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Stuart Cross

All too often, management teams end up focusing all their time and efforts on delivering the current year’s results. Here’s a tool you can use to balance your time between managing your current year performance while also developing ideas that … Continue reading →

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The Weekly Big Idea Review

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Stuart Cross

Effective innovation is both a strategic imperative and a messy process of development, testing and refinement. If this process is to work, you need to have regular updates and reviews. One way of doing this that cuts the chain of … Continue reading →

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The 4 Characteristics of FAST Companies

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Stuart Cross

Last week I spent a day with the top 150 executives of a major US home products business, looking at ways that they can increase the pace and urgency of their organisation. As ever, when I’m teaching or leading a … Continue reading →

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The Fear Of Failure Paradox – And How To Overcome It!

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Stuart Cross

A retail CEO once invited me to the opening of a new concept store. The company had made a big investment in the new concept and so there were high hopes that this trial would succeed. The store looked great, … Continue reading →

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It’s Avoiding Trade-Offs That Kills You

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Stuart Cross

It’s not a poor strategic vision in itself that kills most new growth strategies. Nor is it your ability to manage major initiatives. Most companies and management teams are able to identify and deliver growth projects given the opportunity to … Continue reading →

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The Benefits Of A Customer Walkout

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Stuart Cross

Last weekend the fans of Liverpool Football Club were so incensed about the proposed increase in ticket prices that they organized a walkout from the team’s game against Sunderland. With just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, and with … Continue reading →

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