Strategic Thinker Blog

• The “Yes” Leader is Killing You

  Posted on: Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 by richhorwath

  During the past few years, many companies have made it clear to their people that they must follow the adage, “Do more with less.” Layoffs and firings have reduced many departments to skeletal staffs where fewer people are expected to… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategic thinking
• Strategy + Innovation = Competitive Advantage

  Posted on: Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 by richhorwath

  As summer approaches and you head back to your local amusement park to ride gravity-defying roller coasters, eat deep-fried food and marvel at people’s tattoos, don’t forget to stop by the bumper cars. Whether you’re six- or sixty-years-old, there’s nothing… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Innovation, Strategic thinking
• “Let’s think about that”

  Posted on: Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 by richhorwath

  Imagine Noah was once again building an ark (we have been getting quite a bit of rain in the Midwest). And instead of taking two of each animal, he showed up at your office and said, “I’m taking two of… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategic thinking
• 

  A History of Strategy Timeline

  Posted on: Friday, March 15th, 2013 by richhorwath

  In their text book, Strategy in the 21st Century, DePaul University professor Earl Young and Randall Rollins visually describe the history of strategy in a timeline format. I’m honored and humbled to be included for my work in the field… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Strategic thinking, Strategy
• IT Without Strategy is a Hobby

  Posted on: Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 by richhorwath

  A recent study published in CIO Magazine of 650 senior IT leaders asked what their top talent-management issues centered around. Three of the top four involved strategic thinking. Here is the list: 1. Cultivating strategic thinking 2. Finding or developing technical… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Strategic thinking, Strategy
• Strategy Spring Training: Part 2

  Posted on: Thursday, February 21st, 2013 by richhorwath

  2. Barometer. Imagine the following: you make an appointment to see your doctor after several weeks of worsening cold and flu symptoms. The doctor finally enters the exam room and you exchange a few pleasantries. However, she doesn’t ask you any… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategic thinking
• Strategy Spring Training: Part 1

  Posted on: Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 by richhorwath

  Major League Baseball’s annual spring training means the welcoming back of warmer weather, the smell of freshly mown grass and another year of the Chicago Cubs not winning the World Series. Men making millions of dollars a year, the best… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategic thinking
• Will You Be Lunch?

  Posted on: Wednesday, February 6th, 2013 by richhorwath

  Business strategy is defined as the intelligent allocation of limited resources through a unique system of activities to outperform the competition in serving customers. Nestled in the middle of the definition, this idea of differentiation is perhaps the most overlooked… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Strategic thinking
• Escaping the Check-the-Box Process

  Posted on: Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 by richhorwath

  “The problem is that at a lot of big companies, process becomes a substitute for thinking.” Elon Musk, Co-Founder of Tesla Motors and PayPal “Help Wanted: Looking for a Professional Template Filler-Outer. Lots of experience required. Good pay. No thinking necessary.” While… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategic thinking
• Think

  Posted on: Friday, November 30th, 2012 by richhorwath

  “We could leave our strategic plan on an airplane and it wouldn’t matter. It’s all about execution.”   CEO of a large U.S. Bank   Since many strategic plans are nothing more than budget-driven, out-of-touch, unused slide decks with the… read more

  Posted in: Blog, Business strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategic thinking