Connecting to the Company Story: Coding is Crafting for Etsy's Engineers
Every organization has a story. Any group that wants to be an important part of that organization needs to craft a place for itself in that story. The story an […]
The "New" Crisis of Meaning?
What’s up with the word “new” in the phrase “meaning is the new motivator”? From all corners of the interwebz conversation about ‘business’, I see mention of this idea that […]
Pay Attention to How Social Media Communities Create 'the Organization'
Why do so many social business advocates overlook the organizational value of online communities? Too many people dismiss online communities for not being central to the organizations they serve. These […]
Make Distinctiveness Matter by Linking It To Organizational Purpose
Does it really matter if an organization is “distinctive”? When an organization’s distinctiveness (identity) is linked with the organization’s purpose (greater social goal), the organization’s unique qualities provide the unique […]
Authentic Competitive Distinctiveness — It's all in the details
There’s a great photo in the New York Times (May 19, 2011) of a whitepaper chart created to manage the Delta-Northwest Merger’s Long and Complex Path. The chart is full […]
Their Need or Your Ability: Why does your organization exist?
Why does your organization exist? Was it created to meet the needs of some (external) community, constituency, or market segment? Or, Was it created to employ, utilize and engage your […]
Beyond Positioning: Establishing Authentic Optimal Distinctiveness
Every organization needs to establish optimal distinctiveness – a competitive position within your field, where you are similar enough to other organizations to be seen as legitimate, but different enough […]
Can an organization be too different?: The Strategic Value of Optimal Distinctiveness
Can an organization be too different? I spend a lot of time with organizations that are trying to strengthen the perception that they are different, so that they can distinguish […]
How Social Media Create Organizational Meaning
Social media tools can transform an organization. One of the things I enjoy so much about social media is the chance to be (more often) the person I am, with […]
The Day "The Patrick" Disappeared: A story of lost identity
This is a story about a quirky little cafe that disappeared. While I lived in town, and for a few years after we moved, this cafe was a touchstone, a […]