Category Archives: Growth

The Key To A Great Business Strategy

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Stuart Cross

Last week, I met with an old client who shared with me his company’s latest strategy pack. The document, prescribed by the Group Head Office, was 126 pages long and full of analysis, charts, tables, graphs and action plans. There … Continue reading →

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Engagement: The Secret To Performance Acceleration

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Stuart Cross

Towards the end of last year, I was talking to the CEO of a large UK retailer who was bemoaning the lack of progress in delivering his company’s strategic agenda. Earlier in the year, he and his executive team had … Continue reading →

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Don’t Invest In Initiatives, Invest In Strategies

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Stuart Cross

Few companies recognise the power of investing in strategies rather than initiatives. Most companies I know demand detailed discounted cash flow statements for all proposed projects. These projections must show significant payback before the initiative is considered for investment. So what’s … Continue reading →

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The Unbalanced Scorecard

Posted on November 21, 2017 by Stuart Cross

My big problem with the Balanced Scorecard approach to strategy and performance management is that is, well, too balanced. It makes everything of equal importance. In most Balanced Scorecard projects and reports I’ve seen, there is a general assumption that all goals … Continue reading →

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Three Key Factors For Sustained Growth

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Stuart Cross

Last week I ran one of my periodic “Big Breakfast” meetings in London. The topic was “How Failure Can Accelerate Growth”. A dozen business leaders attended, from companies with revenues ranging from around £5 million to £50 billion, and Tim … Continue reading →

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Open To Ideas

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Stuart Cross

We moved into our new house five months ago. The day after we moved in, when there were still boxes on the driveway, I heard a knock at the door. A man, who introduced himself as Shane, told me that … Continue reading →

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The Big Breakfast: An Invitation

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Stuart Cross

I have four seats left at my upcoming ‘Big Breakfast’ meeting in central London on Thursday, 9 November, 7.30-9.30 am. The topic is ‘How Failure Can Help Accelerate Growth’ and we will be joined by Tim Wright. Tim is the … Continue reading →

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The 5 Superpowers of Successful Organisations

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Stuart Cross

I have recently launched a new offering for my clients, The Strategy Powerhouse. The service was built on my realisation that most strategy efforts don’t lead to change and don’t lead to higher performance. They simply rearrange the company’s metaphorical … Continue reading →

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Strategy Is A Contact Sport (Part 2)

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Stuart Cross

A client of mine is struggling to deliver its new strategy. Despite setting a clear, overarching goal, agreeing the most important product categories to focus on and settling on product innovation as the key to the company’s future competitive differentiation, … Continue reading →

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5 Steps To Delivering Rapid Growth

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Stuart Cross

When it comes to accelerating your business’s growth, pace is not about being reckless or taking unnecessary risks. There is a clear difference between pace and haste. If you try to reach top speed immediately, without going through the gears, … Continue reading →