Kevin Novak

When Your Reach Exceeds Your Grasp Issue 139, December 14, 2023 Here’s a question for you as we wrap up 2023: Why have so many organizations reset themselves by dramatically cutting back on their staff and operations? Why did their aspirations seem so out of line with their new reality? Whatever happened to foresight? This syndrome makes us think of two quotes from two distinctly different individuals. Poet Robert Browning said, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s…

Kevin Novak

December 12, 2023

Inspiration for Commitment, Redefinition, and Reinvention

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Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Inspiration for Commitment, Redefinition, and Reinvention

Inspiration for Commitment, Redefinition, and Reinvention Issue 138, December 7, 2023 What We Can Learn From Others For many of us, this year has been one of surprises and some unexpected gifts. Global events have become 24/7 headlines on our newsfeeds and most of the news is troubling. 2023 is the hottest year on record for the planet. Two wars are being waged simultaneously at great costs. Inflation remains a persistent worry despite improving economic data. The vision of an…

Kevin Novak

December 6, 2023

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Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Bias Revisited

Bias Revisited Issue 137, November 30, 2023 If you have been following our newsletters, you know that we have a fascination about bias. In fact, from our observations about workplace dysfunction, leadership disconnect, market orientation dislocation, and digital transformation gone awry, conscious, or subconscious bias is usually at the root of the problem. It may sound simplistic, but what we don’t know we don’t know can shortstop the best of intentions and the most optimistic plans. When we think of…

Kevin Novak

November 29, 2023

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Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Belonging Matters

Belonging Matters Issue 136, November 23, 2023 The most fundamental motivation among the human species is to belong. Belonging is implicit in sharing trust, affinity and caring about someone or something bigger than yourself. Renown philosopher Dan Dennett in a TED talk in 2006 encouraged everyone to dedicate and devote themselves to something more important than themselves to find meaning and purpose in their lives. We’ll let you draw your own conclusions whether the audience of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and…

Kevin Novak

November 22, 2023

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Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Power Plays

Power Plays Issue 135, November 16, 2023 As mindful observers of today’s national and global discourse, we would be among the first to remind you that we are all both a witness and a victim to power positioning among politicians, world leaders, global business moguls, and everyday bullies. And as is often the case, when bad behavior is prevalent on the world stage, it tends to trickle down to the local level in organizations, relationships, families, and institutions. It is…

Kevin Novak

November 16, 2023

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Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Why Women at Work Remains an Issue

Why Women at Work Remains an Issue Issue 134, November 9, 2023 We’re going to tackle an issue that, in our opinion, should no longer be an issue: gender parity in the workplace. McKinsey in its latest Women in the Workplace study reports, “Over the past nine years, women—and especially women of color—remain underrepresented across the corporate pipeline. However, we see a growing bright spot in senior leadership. Since 2015, the number of women in the C-suite has increased from…

Kevin Novak

November 9, 2023

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Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Are You Sure You Matter?

Are You Sure You Matter? Issue 133, November 2, 2023 Holding onto next-gen workers and customers (born between 1997 and 2012) requires more than a trick up your sleeve. They are actively changing up the rules of engagement in, and for, organizations of all sizes — whether they are employees or customers. Call them naïve or a brutal force of nature with critical mass, they are redefining the workplace culture and the brand/customer value proposition. Here’s the key thought: You…

Kevin Novak

November 2, 2023

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Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

The Value of Intangibles

The Value of Intangibles Issue 132, October 26, 2023 We continue to be fascinated by the value proposition of intangibles. This isn’t some weird magical idea. We’re talking about assets that have no physical form but are nonetheless valuable. Considering that we are living in a digital marketplace, intangibility has a profound relevance despite our inherent and deeply programmed need to see, feel, and touch something tangible. If it can be seen, felt, and touched we believe it is real…

Kevin Novak

October 25, 2023

Misinformation, AI, Cyber Troops, and Our Need for Guardrails

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Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Misinformation, AI, Cyber Troops, and Our Need for Guardrails

Misinformation, AI, Cyber Troops, and Our Need for Guardrails Issue 131, October 19, 2023 We’re taking a moment (again) to consider the implications of the speed of technological change confronting us daily. What was charmingly referred to as the information superhighway by Al Gore back in 1993 has morphed into a bullet train … run by AI. What’s more, we face those with malicious intent to manipulate our opinions, bend our minds into believing fiction and influence us in what…

Kevin Novak

October 19, 2023

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Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

The Present

The Present Issue 130, October 12, 2023 We’re picking up on a theme we’ve been hearing recently. It’s not exactly a new idea, but it resonates as we are challenged by living in an increasingly disruptive and disturbing world. It is, quite simply, living in the present. Professor Scott Galloway (love him or not) has increasingly peppered his critical commentaries with the realization that his career has been defined by planning for the future informed by the past. His existential…

Kevin Novak

October 11, 2023

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