Category Archives: Simplicity

5 Ways To Improve Your Performance Reports

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Stuart Cross

Click on the link to read my article, 5 Ways To Pep Up Your Performance Reports, which has just been posted on BNET. © Stuart Cross 2010. All rights reserved.

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Business Lessons From The Latest Failed Airline Bomb Plot

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Stuart Cross

Nothing adds complexity, wastes time and reduces the effectiveness of organisations as much as solving problems by focusing on effect rather than cause. Take the immediate response to the latest failed terrorist attack. By adding to the number and length … Continue reading →

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The Myth Of Change Management

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Stuart Cross

Management books talk about the nature and speed of change as if it is some new concept, developed over the past 50 years. Academics and consultants develop models and approaches that seek to help business leaders overcome the difficulties of … Continue reading →

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The Upside Of Worst-Case Planning

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Stuart Cross

How would you change your business if your profits were cut by 50% overnight? I was working with an executive team earlier this week, helping them to create focus and alignment around their agenda for the next 12-18 months. They … Continue reading →

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How To Turn Opinion Into Insight

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Stuart Cross

When I work with my clients I find I can increase the speed and effectiveness of the work by focusing first on the executive team’s opinions. We call these hypotheses or assumptions, but the premise is the same: if we … Continue reading →

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You Can’t Chase Two Hares

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Stuart Cross

There is a Japanese saying that translates, ‘you can’t chase two hares’. If a top-class hunting dog chases after a hare it has a 10% chance of catching it. But if the dog hedges its bets and tries to chase … Continue reading →

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Take The Business Tool Fadaholic Test

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Stuart Cross

Click on the link to read my article, Take The Business Tool Fadaholic Test, which has just been posted on BNET. © Stuart Cross 2009. All rights reserved.

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Focus On Results, Not Method

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Stuart Cross

Many managers spend too much of their time trying to find the absolute best way of doing something. Yet, if you focus more on results, chances are you will find a reasonable way of achieving them. Yesterday evening, for example, … Continue reading →

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George At Asda: From Rags To Riches

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Stuart Cross

Click on the link to read my article, George At Asda: From Rags To Riches, which has just been posted on BNET. © Stuart Cross 2009. All rights reserved.

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Agreement Isn’t Alignment

Posted on October 1, 2009 by Stuart Cross

I’m in Rhode Island, USA, this week working with my mentor, Alan Weiss, and meeting some potential clients. Last night a small group of us went to a local restaurant that Alan had recommended called Siena, which is near our … Continue reading →

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