What is your culture? This question is asked often. Few have the answers. The reason for this is simple: you live culture. There is no such document as “our culture document.” If you have such a document, chances are that no one follows it. In 2014, I won a project to provide strategy execution support for a not for profit organization. At our first inception meeting, I asked a group of nine members of the top management team, “what is our culture here?” The room went silent. It is difficult to explain “a specific company’s culture.” For culture, comes out…
Why should we say “chair” instead of “chairman”?
The world has transformed a lot. Gender balance activism and equal pay mean that some English words have been changed to reflect the new world order. Ideally, the Chairman is the position of the overall top honcho of the board who presides all board meetings. This was true even when such a role or position was held by a woman. Today, that is an issue. How dare you call a woman, Chairman? And so started modifications of some terms. “Chair” as in Madam “Chair” or just “Chair” to refer to the Chairman is seen as a nice bet and gender-sensitive.…
How good culture nurtures great careers
I attended Munteme Primary, a Catholic Founded school, for my primary education. Every first Monday of the week, we had a school assembly – all pupils and teachers had to attend without fail. The Assembly duration was for 60 minutes only. But a lot would be accomplished. The standard agenda at the assembly was: National Anthem, Bunyoro Kitara Anthem, School Anthem, and Prayer. These would be followed by the Head Girl’s Speech, Head Boys, and Headmasters Speech. Thursday was a school mass day. All students were required to attend mass from 7:30 am to 8:30 am, without fail. Tuesdays were…
I’ve never been a CEO before. Should I take any offer?
I’ve been offered the CEO job at a PE-backed, mature software company with 2% market share. The industry leaders control 75% of the market. I’ve never been a CEO before. Should I take it? Do take the offer with both hands.This is your time. Your opportunity to shine. Growth comes from doing things we have never done. Making an attempt to go places you have never gone. To explore. I recommend you find a mentor, virtual or physical. A former CEO in your kind of industry for hands-on practical guidance. Also, make time to read. Find great books like The…
Tool 77 of 104 is to observe the law
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved.” Matthew 5:17-37 The law starts where common sense and ethics stop. To observe the law, you must know it. To be ethical, you must understand good behaviour and context. Growing up in a Catholic Church as an Altar Boy meant that I learned a lot…
The frontiers of innovation: the meaning of sustainable growth
How are leading companies innovating for sustainable growth? In this post, I explore how Amazon is investing in long term sustainability. The outsiders view. I am sure, these are the issues being discussed in the boardrooms at Amazon. Amazon sustainable growth strategy Amazon’s strategic risk: What if all the vendors/ sellers on our platform left us and instead invested in their own platforms? What if they develop capabilities to sell without listing on Amazon? How do we survive in 10 to 30 years? In response to increasing complaints from original equipment manufacturers to Amazon over fake products listing, piracy, copyrights…
