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Purpose – The Way to Motivate Staff? – Some Clarification

by Ian Smith | Feb 6, 2014 | Performance Profiles. Execution, Recruitment, Talent

Andrew Hill at the FT wrote an interesting column last week about “Purpose”. As he pointed out, it has become quite a buzzword in CEO circles. Ellen Kullman, CEO at Dupont wasn’t the only CEO to use it at the recent World Economic Forum. It seems it is a word...

Zero-Based Roles – Unlock Your Team’s Potential

by Ian Smith | Nov 21, 2013 | Leadership, Org Charts & Org Structures, Organizational Charts & Structures, Performance Profiles. Execution, Recruitment

You may have heard of the term zero-based budgeting. The basic thesis is to look at your business through the eyes of a start up. If you were starting today from scratch, what would you spend money on? Costs creep on over time and before you know it your business is...

Managing a business in 2010 – What’s changed? – Part 3

by Ian Smith | Apr 13, 2010 | Communication, Compelling Stories, Management Help, Mentoring, Performance Profiles. Execution, Recruitment, Strategy

In the final part of this three part review of what has changed from 2006 and 2010, I’ve noted some thoughts on Staff Motivation and Engagement. This post was motivated by a great little book, Top Talent by Sylvia Ann Hewlett (one of the founders of The Hidden Brain...

Performance Profiles & the Requirements of Leaders

by Ian Smith | Nov 2, 2009 | Performance Profiles. Execution

More than ever as we push through a very challenging business environment, we need to maximize every effort executed by our hard working staff. We need to align our interests. We need to encourage innovation within our departments but all actions need to be aligned...

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  • The Deal Is Being Negotiated Long Before You Discuss Price

    The Deal Is Being Negotiated Long Before You Discuss Price

    November 13, 2026
    Lessons from decades around the negotiating table. Imagine sitting across the table from someone who has spent 30 years building …Read More »
  • Are You Buying Growth — or Buying Complexity?

    Are You Buying Growth — or Buying Complexity?

    November 6, 2026
    Why acquisitions fail—and why the operating model matters more than the deal model. An acquisition can make your business bigger …Read More »
  • Doing More Deals Doesn’t Make You a Better Acquirer

    Doing More Deals Doesn’t Make You a Better Acquirer

    October 30, 2026
    Why the post-mortem may be the most undervalued stage of the acquisition process. The company has completed its tenth acquisition. …Read More »

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