Category Archives: Performance Improvement

Resolution or Resolve?

The gym has been busier than normal since the New Year, but in a few weeks time it will return to its pre-Christmas level of activity. The key word in “New Year’s Resolution” is “resolution” and that requires resolve; the … Continue reading

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An IT Solution Is The Last Thing You Should Offer

Click here to read my latest article on CIO.co.uk and learn why new systems are rarely the answer. © Stuart Cross 2011. All rights reserved.

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The Characteristics of High-Profit Organisations

The businesses that I see with the greatest ability to grow profits share a certain set of characteristics. They may be in different markets and industries but their organisational approaches and ways of working are remarkably similar, and include these … Continue reading

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Creating A Winning Culture

Last Friday I hosted one of my periodic Chief Officers’ Forum meeting. The guest speaker was Alex Gourlay, CEO of Boots the Chemists. The discussion among the senior executives present is confidential, but I’m happy to share the key conclusions … Continue reading

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Don’t Get Stuck In The Ruts Of Success

My new article, Don’t Get Stuck In The Ruts Of Success, has just been published by my friend and partner, Alan Weiss, on his blog, Contrarian Consulting. Click here to read the article. © Stuart Cross 2011. All rights reserved.

Posted in Growth, Innovation, Performance Improvement, Strategy | 2 Comments

What CIOs Should Learn From Professional Service Firms

See my new article on the CIO website about what CIOs can learn from  McKinsey and their ilk. Just click here.

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London-To-Paris Milestones

Tomorrow I am cycling from London to Paris, as part of a group of 10. We aim to complete the 300-mile route in three days, and after extensive calculations I’ve worked out that this means I must cycle 100 miles … Continue reading

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10 Ways To Grow Profits In Difficult Times

You don’t need me to tell you that today’s business world is unpredictable. We can quickly become overtaken by events outside our control. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t raise profits even when the economy is going south. Here … Continue reading

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Solutions and Relationships > Products and Services

In recent weeks I’ve had several conversations with clients and prospects that are looking to build stronger relationships with their target customers. They recognise that, in the end, it is the quality and strength of a company’s relationship with their … Continue reading

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The Benefits Of ‘Failing To Plan’

I met a client yesterday who was expressing his frustration with a piece of work that a major consultancy firm had carried out for his business (why he hadn’t worked with me, I don’t know!) that had clear recommendations and … Continue reading

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