The Blog
Long-form essays, field notes, and frameworks from the FIRMSconsulting team — published weekly.
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What is the value of an automotive brand?
What is the value of an automotive brand? The third big strategy topic comes from the automotive sector, titled, “Big Value Chain Profit Pool Shifts Are Painful.” It’s like going to a dentist to have a root canal without any anesthesia. I’m going to pin this entire conversation around a sub-question: What is the value…
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Allowing the best technology to bubble up
Allowing the best technology to bubble up The next big topic is the massive interest in electric vehicles. Kudos to Elon Musk—he wasn’t the only one, but he was a big part of making electric cars mainstream, not just in the media and in consumer sentiment but as part of policy-making circles around the world.…
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Why Is the Only Labor Cost Strategy is Elimination of Labor Costs?
Why Is the Only Labor Cost Strategy is Elimination of Labor Costs? The next big topic, and it’s probably one of the biggest topics we’re seeing, is a question: Why is the only labor cost strategy is elimination of labor costs? In my entire career—from my time as a business analyst to manager, partner, senior…
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The Necessity of Changing the Strategy Conversation
The Necessity of Changing the Strategy Conversation Streaming is probably one of the biggest digital shifts we’re seeing. Around the world, conversations are taking place with companies about how to build successful business models around streaming—whether it’s books, audio, video or podcasts. These companies range from giants like Netflix to small indie podcast producers. I…
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Reviving a Troubled Division and a Troubled Career
Reviving a Troubled Division and a Troubled Career Finally, I want to talk about reviving a troubled division and troubled career. I want to celebrate some of our executive coaching clients. I have a client who works for a major tech company. He’s around 36, he has kids and he thought he was in the…
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The Single Biggest Strategy Shift for the Next Few Decades
The Single Biggest Strategy Shift for the Next Few Decades This is by far the biggest story of the week, and I’m very surprised that it hasn’t received more attention because it has incredible importance for the world. I would say this is the most important story that every CEO in the world needs to…
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Things Don’t Change Much—or Do They?
Things Don’t Change Much—or Do They? The next big theme I will call, “Things don’t change much—or do they?” Over a period in the last week, BHP, an Anglo-Australian multinational miner, has become the most valuable company in the British economy, which is one of the most advanced, modern economies of the world and is heavily services…
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The New Arms Race
The New Arms Race The next big trend we’re reading about is how Korean tech companies like Samsung are working overtime to protect their corporate secrets as Asian rivals try to poach their employees. This made me think about arms races over the years. An arms race is basically where two nations compete to build…
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Strategic Flexibility Is a Myth
Strategic Flexibility Is a Myth The first theme is what I call “strategic flexibility is a myth.” In business—and for anything in life—you need to go all in. COVID-19 is obviously a big topic that’s driving news and corporate strategy around the world. One of the big things we’re seeing is that banks that made…
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Don’t Hold Yourself Back
Don’t Hold Yourself Back My final note is based on many of the discussions I have with clients in our executive coaching programs. We train clients from all over the world. Some have no business background, but they’re in senior positions in major multinational companies. Others lead multibillion-dollar family-owned businesses in Asia and Latin America.…
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Are Coal, Oil and Gas Dead?
Are Coal, Oil and Gas Dead? Almost any pundit or forecaster will tell you that oil, coal and gas are dead. But the reality is that they’re probably not dead, and they’re probably far from dead. There’s a reason for this. The balance of power in the world has shifted. Growth today comes from Asia.…
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Defense Is Not a Strategy
Defense Is Not a Strategy The next big story we’re reading about is linked to China. This is themed defense is not a strategy. A recent decision was made by Panasonic to exit certain parts of the renewables value chain—the manufacturing of solar panels and solar cells—because it cannot compete with low-cost Chinese providers. I’ve…