69 Posts found for Author: Michael E. Raynor

The creation of a theory is, at first principles, a statement of cause-and-effect relationships. Such statements, when true, are enormously powerful. Without them, we are limited to observing merely that “one thing follows another,” so when we see something new, our ability to predict the outcome is severely curtailed. When facing circumstances we’ve not already mastered, absent a theory all we can rely on is … [ Read more ]

Content: Quotation | Author: Michael E. Raynor | Source: Across the Board (ATB) | Subjects: Management, Thought

A compelling vision. Bold leadership. Decisive action. Unfortunately, these prerequisites of success are almost always the ingredients of failure, too. In fact, most managers seeking to maximize their chances for glory are often unwittingly setting themselves up for ruin. The sad truth is that most companies have left their futures almost entirely to chance, and don’t even realize it. The reason? Managers feel they must … [ Read more ]

Content: Book | Author: Michael E. Raynor | Subject: Strategy

Highly differentiated strategies, either low cost or product leadership, offer the promise of high returns, but only because they run higher strategic risk. Staking a defensible claim to a unique competitive position demands bold commitments over long periods of time to assets and capabilities that few others feel will be valuable in the future. In other words, greatness requires that companies make a significant, and … [ Read more ]

Content: Quotation | Author: Michael E. Raynor | Source: Ivey Business Journal | Subjects: Risk Management, Strategy

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The failure of the Cancun trade talks is not the only sign that globalization could be running out of steam. This new report by Deloitte Research identifies 10 forces that could reverse the trend toward global economic and political unity. This report points to warnings about globalization’s future by experts on trade, politics and military affairs. Until recently, naysayers about globalization have been in the … [ Read more ]

Content: Article | Authors: Dwight Allen, Michael E. Raynor | Source: Deloitte | Subjects: International, Trends / Analysis

Many companies today outsource the wrong processes to the wrong vendors in deals with the wrong structure. The resulting chaos and rancor that has come to typify much of the IT-outsourcing market is a clear indication of the need for a simplifying but rigorous framework that provides practical guidance.

Making the right outsourcing decisions requires answering three questions:

* What to outsource
… [ Read more ]

Content: Article | Author: Michael E. Raynor | Source: Deloitte | Subjects: IT / Technology / E-Business, Outsourcing / BPO

Christensen (The Innovator’s Dilemma) analyzes the strategies that allow corporations to successfully grow new businesses and outpace the other players in the marketplace. Christensen’s earlier book examined how focusing on profits can destroy even well-run corporations, while this book focuses on companies expanding by being “disruptors” who are able to outpace their entrenched competition. The authors (Christensen is a professor at Harvard Business School and … [ Read more ]

Content: Book | Authors: Clayton M. Christensen, Michael E. Raynor | Subject: Strategy

If you don’t analyze your value chain first, you may outsource IT functions that are core to your business or base decisions on the wrong metrics.

Content: Article | Authors: Daniel Littmann, Michael E. Raynor | Source: Optimize Magazine | Subjects: IT / Technology / E-Business, Strategy

Managers know they need growth to survive-but innovation isn’t easy. In this Harvard Management Update article, HBS professor Clayton Christensen and co-authors detail the six keys to creating new-growth businesses.

Content: Article | Authors: Clayton M. Christensen, Michael E. Raynor, Scott D. Anthony | Source: Harvard Business School (HBS) Working Knowledge | Subjects: Innovation, Strategy