Strategy to beat the odds

A systematic scan of the economic-profit performance of nearly 3,000 global companies yields fresh insight about where and how to compete.

Increase your likelihood of developing effective strategies through an approach that’s thorough, action-oriented, and comfortable with debate and ambiguity.

The US manufacturer has reinvented itself by switching out of power tools and into water and other resource-based businesses.

New research shows that actively reallocating corporate resources is even more important in a downturn than it is in good times.

These tested ideas can help organizations overcome inertia and implement their strategies more effectively.

Moving early to reconfigure the business portfolio and top-management team improves corporate performance and the odds for a lengthy tenure.

The Belgian company is reshaping its portfolio to focus harder on fast-growing markets.

Leadership-capacity constraints are undermining many companies’ efforts. New management structures, roles, and divisions of labor can all be part of the solution.

Although largely uncounted, intangible digital assets may hold an important key to understanding competition and growth in the Internet era.

Addressing community problems increasingly requires cooperation among the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Here, three executives explain how a civic alliance in America’s Minneapolis–Saint Paul region may point toward an operating model.

Business leaders can give the US economy a shot in the arm by stepping out of their comfort zones, pursuing innovative partnerships, and creating industry standards.

By following a few simple principles, leaders can realize the vast potential of social technologies to engage employees and transform organizations.

New research shows there’s a surprising gap between the brand messages that suppliers offer to customers and what their customers really want to know.

Consumer-facing companies typically know more about their end customers than contract manufacturers do. Passing that knowledge along is good for everyone.

Budget carriers face difficult odds moving into the most profitable sector of the airline industry.

The value at stake from government and regulatory intervention is huge. Companies that approach external engagement in a disciplined way capture more of it.