As a market researcher regularly conducting customer satisfaction studies at all levels of the supply chain, I am amazed at how many firms regularly conduct what I would call “bellybutton-viewing” customer satisfaction studies. Recently, I subjected myself to an electronics/computer retailer’s online customer satisfaction survey. The study asked my...

I have always been fascinated with the way businesses are held these days and the impact they create in the society. Business people all over the world are discovering extraordinary opportunities generated by protecting the nature and more so trying to meet the triple bottom line. In this economic downturn, when every action of the crisis affects every individual and...

There is a natural reaction when a major disruption in business occurs to go into survival mode. That means tunnel and short-term vision as well as tactical and reactionary measures. That can be a necessity for survival. However, a recent poll of the Strategic Planning Community (SPC), a business social network of strategic planners hosted by the Association of Strategic...

Today, the mobile phone can be used for doing many more things than just the voice calls. SMS, internet, games, content download and many other things are possible on the mobile phone which gives marketers the opportunity to connect with consumers beyond traditional and digital media. Mobile advertising is in its infancy but is still catching the imagination of the marketers....

From Mediocre to great, what differentiates great sales people? It is surely one of the great ironies of the selling profession that sales people are often described as being ‘great talkers’. Great sales people have to be effective communicators of course but the ‘gift of the gab’ can actually often be a hallmark of the poor sales person, not...

Name: Silkesh K Subject: Interested in Management Consulting, Finance Message: Hello Maam, I am Silkesh. Currently in my 2nd Year MBA from SIbm Bangalore. Also a CFA level 1 certified from CFA institute USA. I am interested in Management Consulting Career.But Dont know how to proceed. Would like to be your mentee. Thanks a lot Silkesh Sulbha: Dear Silkesh, Since you are...

BPO, the act of relocating some of the organization’s constant core and non-core business procedures to an external supplier to attain the cost reductions while improving the service quality. If done well, BPO render domino effect as it results in raising the shareholder value. The stark difference between the BPO and the more traditional IT outsourcing is that...

As online social networking continues to accelerate the differences in usage by generation of users becomes an important factor for strategic consideration for businesses. It is difficult and dangerous to describe different generations characteristics since individuals within that generation do not always fit the characteristics assigned to them. This is especially...

Think you’re company is missing out on major opportunities because it hasn’t integrated Web 2.0 technologies? Your instincts are good. Now do something about it. That’s my advice. That would also surely be the advice of the people at legendary management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. McKinsey just went public with the results of its third annual...

Talented leaders are the backbone of a company; developing strategic initiatives to grow and preserve the business. However, with competition in the marketplace growing fiercer than ever, companies need to focus on creating management programs that develop leaders with the necessary skills for success. Building in-house programs to train and develop leaders will result...