“Yes: Companies expect to use Six Sigma to identify and creatively solve their problems, but that’s not what it was designed to do… No: Six Sigma can help you examine your business processes, grow closer to your customers, increase your productivity, and reap returns.”

“It’s worth your while to do some soul-searching ahead of time and decide whether you have what it takes to go global, or are willing to cultivate the qualities you’ll need to succeed. You’re already a successful executive or you wouldn’t be reading this article. But going global requires a special way of understanding the world and operating in it, which I like to call global intelligence.”

“The days of the fantasyland CEO pay package appear to be in the past. A 33% decline in compensation has returned America’s bosses to the year 1996.”

“From start to finish, these ‘booth basics’ will help you make the most of that first trip to the trade show floor.”

“B-to-b marketers seeking more direct conversations with their customers have begun turning to that most personal of forums: the Weblog. Corporate Weblogs aren’t exactly sweeping the marketing world, but early adherents say they offer real power to connect with increasingly message-wary — and message-weary — audiences in a new and engaging way.”

“The real-time enterprise is a seductive concept. It’s appealing, because it responds to real needs that all enterprises have. But it’s also dangerous, because it can lead us again down the path to massive spending with little or no return.”

“Why do smart companies put so much energy into doomed products? University of Paris-based Isabelle Royer tackles this thorny issue in this excerpt from Harvard Business Review. By profiling two French companies’ experiences with failed projects, Royer gets at some surprising answers: Belief and faith triumph over reason.”

“Its performance is the envy of executives and engineers around the world. For techno-evangelists, Google is a marvel of Web brilliance. For Wall Street, it may be the IPO that changes everything (again). But Google is also a case study in savvy management — a company filled with cutting-edge ideas, rigorous accountability, and relentless attention to detail. Here’s a search for the growth secrets of one of the world’s most exciting young companies — a company from which every company can learn.”

“Intel’s famous chairman discusses decision making, intuition, and corporate governance with professor Clayton M. Christensen and Harvard Business School Publishing Editorial Director Walter Kiechel.”

“Is your company remarkable? How about your products, your website, your boss? Do you work with or know someone truly amazing — a real Purple Cow? If so, nominate them here. Give us all the information you think we might need — a full description, salient facts, web addresses, contact info, etc. If Seth picks your company, you’ll be featured in his new ebook, 99 Purple Cows. Nothing but great ideas, great people, great companies, to help other people brainstorm how they can do the same.”

“Venture investors don’t often get an opportunity to ‘get their hands dirty’ on the day-to-day details of running something, that is management’s role. Much of the value we bring is on the larger issues that span all companies. The jury is still out on whether this is a short-term experiment or longer-term project. But we’ve definitely gotten more than we ever expected from this blog so far and are gratified by the comments we’ve received (both on our message board and privately). We are excited to push forward and welcome your continuing feedback.”

“The true value of the brand for the consumer lies not only in the product’s performance, but in the product’s support and service.”

“Companies that understand total customer profitability can move from decisions based on gut feeling to those based on facts.”

“Whether you’re self-employed or a hot-shot mogul, your most important challenges will come from recruiting, managing, and rewarding your human resources. These guides will help you stay on top of things.”

“Advances in analytics, systems, processes, and organization design can converge to eliminate the waste from marketing.”