Doug Conant was the CEO of Campbell Soups in 2001 when the company’s business was at  rock bottom due to several organisational issues including a toxic culture. Among the many leadership strategies, Doug adopted, one of them was to engage with each staff member and personally, connect with them. He did something that was unheard of

I have talked previously about the need to balance the pursuit of efficiency with a need for resilience - we need to be able to cope with supply chain, labour or other problems. We have also talked previously about the need to balance a concentration on throughput with the need to maintain, or improve, quality.  No

Over the last couple of decades (before the pandemic) lots of middle income countries and middle-performing companies were integrated into global supply chains. Advanced nations and advanced companies had no choice as they needed new sources of materials, parts and skills. These new supply chain partners soon learned what was expected of them and with

One of the ironies of modern business life is that whenever anyone uses the term ‘industrial relations’ they are almost certainly referring to poor relationships.  Similarly, the ‘industrial relations industry’ is about handling (and dealing with the consequences of) poor industrial relations. So, how do we avoid the pitfalls associated with these poor relationships. Well,

Productivity equals efficiency.  Yes?   Well, yes - by and large. But sometimes we need something else … something more. The recent problems with supply chains (after both the COVID pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine) reminded us that resilience is also important - but may use additional resources, and therefore be ‘less efficient’. In fact,

If they see employees laughing, some managers make negative comments which can be summarised as ‘You are here to work, not to have fun’. However, humour has positive benefits form an organisation. It promotes and strengthens social relationships; reduces stress, and even has a positive effect on people’s bodies. strengthening the immune system.  So, treat

One of the ironies of modern business life is that whenever anyone uses the term ‘industrial relations’ they are almost certainly referring to poor relationships.   Similarly, the ‘industrial relations industry’ is about handling (and dealing with the consequences of) poor industrial relations. So, how do we avoid the pitfalls associated with these poor relationships. Well,

Firms who wish to be fully productive need a workforce that is engaged, motivated and fully skilled. Firms who do not have fully skilled employees are, in effect, giving away capacity..  Firstly, of course, employees who do not have all of the skills they need to carry out their role properly will be slower at completing

Those managers and executives who have come through the ranks, maintaining their own diaries, typing their own words and creating their own presentations often find it difficult to adjust when they reach the dizzy heights of having their own secretary - or even an executive assistant. Most secretaries/assistants realise this and, in effect, end up