Publications

Creativity. Innovation. Problem Solving.

Each of these terms is very familiar to most people in the business world. Creativity is often left to the designers, advertising agencies and marketers. Innovation typically lives with engineers and developers. Problem-solving weaves its way through every department from Human Resources to Sales to Product Development to Customer Service. While the designers and product developers may see themselves as creative, we’re willing to bet that Human Resources, Sales and Customer Service likely don’t. We would wholeheartedly like to disagree and point to Design Thinking.

Gaining in popularity, the buzz-word has led to a myriad of options in online courses and professional training. But if you’re one of those people who sees the word design and runs for the hills because drawing a circle may as well be the equivalent to climbing the Empire State Building without ropes, it’s time to understand what Design Thinking really is an how it applies to business.

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Ethics are defined as a set of values and principles that guide a person in decision making as well as in their daily activities. An organizational code of ethics refers to the principles and values that govern the actions, decisions, policies, and programs. Ideally, organizations and corporations are continually viewed as moral agents tasked with the responsibility of proving proper conduct to the company’s stakeholders (“Good Governance Program”, 2004). In effect, it is imperative that businesses operate under specific laws and regulations to ensure that the employees of the company are guided on how to react and manage ethical issues, as well as understand the formal restraints in the company’s structure. On the other hand, it is also necessary that the managers of the company can determine the goals they seek to meet when they design an organizational ethics programs. Among the key attributes of such a program is that it should be action-oriented, specific, timely and relevant (“Good Governance Program”, 2004). Ideally, a good program is one that can achieve the desired organizational outcomes, as well as blend well with the needs of the organization. Therefore, the aim of this essay is to establish the importance of ethical programs in organizations.

It is imperative that each business is guided by a unique ethical character. Establishment of an ethical character emanates from the development of an effective, ethical program which seeks to foster appropriate risk management, compliance, promote the development of value-adding activities, as well as ensure better company reputation (“Good Governance Program”, 2004). Ideally, it is the core of business ethics goals to make sure that all these objectives as stated are achieved in the company. Further, an organization with an effective, ethical program relays that the company is a responsible business enterprise, with the capability to meet its responsibilities in the community it operates. Therefore, through the development of an effective, ethical program, a company can relay its social responsibility capacity, which in turn influences the general business outlook in the society. This is reflected in the company’s core values, core purpose, and possible future goals. Continue reading…

Organizational growth. Every leader loves it and most employees are proud to be part of it. When roles and responsibilities change as a result of growth, so do thе boxes аnd lines at the top оf the organizational chart, but the main area of focus should be the white space between thе boxes аnd linеѕ. It’ѕ uѕuаllу in thаt space where thе real organizational problems аnd solutions rеѕidе. Continue reading…

There is an old adage about the importance of making a first impression, and it couldn’t be more true. We don’t always have the opportunity to control the environment or circumstances in which a first impression is made. Continue reading…

Operational function and the way things work, is a concept we learn early on in school, and almost entirely by practical application. Whether related to sentence structure, mathematical problem solving, or following a schedule, sound operational function is required for successful group and individual performance. Continue reading…

What a compliment it is when someone tells us, especially a doctor, that we are the “picture of health.” Drawing a picture like that would be difficult, but we know what it feels like; good, consistent energy, a positive attitude, a smile most days, and plenty of enthusiasm to get up each morning and do it all again. Continue reading…

We are always pitching ideas. This lifelong practice likely started during childhood while convincing someone it was  good idea to go out for ice cream in the middle of winter. In the simplest terms, pitching is the act of not just sharing an idea, but convincing others that it’s a good idea and they would benefit from joining you in carrying it out. Continue reading…