In this section we feature perspectives by Kollner Group associates. Our intent is to assist you focus on the essential aspects of leadership, strategy, and organizing systems and consequently these are relatively short and easily accessible. Enjoy the reading! The Strategic Market Position       9/1/2006 Innovation is essential to any company’s survival and innovation begins with strategy. The strategic market position clarifies what must change in order for the company to occupy a successful position in the industry and market space. This article introduces and analyzes the different theoretical strategic positions. (updated in September 2006). In Pursuit of Effective Meetings       12/1/2004 Many knowledge workers and managers spend more than half their working time in meetings and since “time” is one of the most important organizational assets, it ought to be spent wisely. Meeting management is not a complex practice so why is it so hard to make meeting effective? In this article, we discuss this issue as well as the basic need for processes and techniques to manage meetings - and provide a primer for getting started. Assumption is the Mother       1/4/2009 A brief reflection on the organizational factors behind the economic collapse. Unchecked assumptions, groupthink and human greed are behind the current economic collapse. Yes, unhealthy business practices caused the global economy to crumple. This is a brief contemplation of the organizational factors enabling this to occur. As strategy and leadership consultants, we see these factors alive and well in many organizations. This ought to be a call to raise the level of consciousness, courage and ethics in business. Six Reasons Projects Fail       9/1/2004 How do you know if your projects are in trouble and how do you avoid the most common mistakes? We examine the six most common reasons why projects fail in today’s organizations and provide preventative suggestions. Leadership from the Heart       10/1/2005 A leadership profile based on an interview with perhaps the most inspiring leader I have known. Arne Purup excelled at what he accepted as his purpose to be the creative force behind the company and in doing so inspired and motivated others. What's in a Complaint?       5/1/2005 We have a choice in how we communicate and our language can make a great difference in how we work together and what we accomplish. As consultants, we often find ourselves in organizations where the mode of communication includes a great deal of complaining. This, in mysterious ways prevents change from taking place. Since our job frequently includes change facilitation we must work with leaders and individuals to evolve the language before change can take place. Interestingly, the language itself becomes a gateway to change. The Art of Project Selection       2/1/2004 Choosing projects is one of the least understood and commonly mishandled activities within organizations. However, defining and bringing awareness to the selection process can take your organization to the next level. Evaluation of Investment Initiatives       4/1/2004 Primer in evaluation of project initiatives. How do you calculate the value of a new project initiative prior to making the decision to go ahead? Do you use ROI, IRR, NPV, something else or a combination of the above? How do you introduce a strategic and balanced perspective? EI - From Awareness to Effective Behavior       11/1/2003 Obtaining feedback on our behavior can lead to new awareness of our emotions and thoughts, and in turn increase the effectiveness of our behavior... Is Systems Thinking Dead?       5/1/2004 Systems thinking has the promise of bringing awareness and intelligence to the organizational models, processes, and relations. However, the complex scientific background makes it next to impossible for organizations to adopt the framework and tools. Approaching Knowledge Management       1/1/2004 Knowledge management initiatives are pushed by technology vendors with sophisticated software covering many niches. Organizations have much value to gain from improved capture and sharing of knowledge but how should you pursue this complex issue. 5 Ways Software Vendors Deceive You       3/1/2004 Software vendors ruin longterm customer relationships by making deceitful claims in sales presentations and advertisements. We look at five ways you may be conned. Are You Making Progress       10/1/2003 The Baldrige National Quality Award provides this excellent tool for understanding the alignment of your people within the organization to your performance excellence vision.... 10 Rules for Effective Business Email       12/1/2003 Everyone is now a written communicator and email has become the lethal weapon of the information age. Here are 10 rules for effective business email correspondence. Diet Options for Organizations and People       12/1/2003 Musings on similarities between the different individual diet approaches and organizations' initiatives to stay in shape.