Porter’s Five Forces is a framework developed by Michael E. Porter that helps analyze the competitive environment of an industry. It examines five key factors

Making good business decisions is a challenging process, influenced by a blend of internal motivations and external pressures. Here’s a brief guide to understanding these

Your Vision of a Better Future To achieve a better future, it is imperative to make that vision clear and vivid. Understanding and communicating the

When lightning struck and our ancient ancestors first saw fire, they observed destruction and danger. Like all the other animals, they experienced great panic. The

In business, value creation is intrinsically linked to growth—for individuals, teams, and organizations. This growth is a product of continuous improvements, which are most effective

Influencing people positively is a skill that requires a deep understanding of human nature and a genuine desire to help others grow and succeed. The

Planning Your SWOT Analysis The success of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis hinges significantly on careful planning and effective delivery. This strategic planning

The evolution of SWOT analysis since the 1960s highlights its significant role in strategic planning for businesses. Originally designed as a universal framework for assessing

Understanding the Essence of “Tone at the Top” “Tone at the top” refers to the ethical climate and culture in a company, shaped by its

In today’s rapidly evolving world, there’s an increasing need for a more intuitive approach to strategic planning. The more intuitive approach must go beyond traditional

Understanding the relationship between our talents, strengths, self-awareness, and self-image is pivotal, especially when considering the impact on our leadership capabilities. Here’s a deep dive

Collaboration involves people working together to create value. Every collaborator stands to benefit; the more you invest in collaboration, the richer your rewards. Typically, the

Defining Integrity Integrity is the cornerstone of trust and relationships. It’s about aligning our thoughts, words, and actions. When we speak of integrity, we talk

“To be authentic is literally to be your own author, to discover your own native energies and desires, and then to find your own way

A Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) can be viewed as the sunlight that brings clarity to our thinking by piercing through the confusing and troubling situations

Beliefs: some good, some not-so-good Beliefs intertwine with perceptions and patterns in your brain. Then beliefs manifest their influence, acting as your ‘internal filters’. These

In the ongoing debates of nature versus nurture, the dispositions of optimism and pessimism haven’t escaped scrutiny. Our perspectives towards life’s challenges and opportunities do

Leaders, irrespective of their moral compass, often exhibit superior attention to detail skills. This distinctive trait enables them to accurately store, retrieve information in real-time,

Self-discipline is a trait most of us wish we had more of. But what exactly is self-discipline? How can we nurture it in our lives?

Motivation is a complex psychological construct that drives behavior and influences choice. It serves as the fuel that propels individuals to act, whether it is

Every business leader seeks the magical insights that will help people thrive and produce excellent results. Finding that special insight involves understanding individuals’ and your

A Definition of Integrity Integrity is a word that gets thrown around often, but what does it really mean? After thinking about integrity, reading books

Building a Positive Community, for Success The essence of any successful venture—be it personal growth, business expansion, or social change—lies in the strength of community.

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about transformative changes in various sectors, and education is no exception. From adaptive learning systems that offer

Working in an insular or partisan environment can be both a challenge and an opportunity. These workplaces are characterized by narrow viewpoints, highly ideological stances,

Convening power is an increasingly critical concept in modern governance, organizational theory, social sciences, and international relations. This blog aims to comprehensively explore the nature

“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.” This quip from Danish physicist Niels Bohr might have easily been misattributed to the likes

About Knowledge Overconfidence According to experts, not only do most people suffer from Knowledge Overconfidence, but they may also not even be aware of it.

The road to business success brings a complex mix of decisions, interpersonal relationships, and personal development. Two significant frameworks that guide individuals and organizations towards

Collaboration is not just yesterday’s news; it is the timeless engine that powers unprecedented business breakthroughs. Since Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Club that transformed 18th-century civic

Critical Energy Crossroads…facing complexities with collaboration Ontario’s energy sector now faces a maze of critical crossroads, with signposts shifting. The navigation complexities at these crossroads

In the age of fast-paced technological advancements and shifting paradigms, the value of learning and building through iterative experiences cannot be overstated. This is where

Knowledge isn’t just power; it’s the tool that enables us to deal with the complexities of life, improve our skills, and make better informed decisions.

We live in a world where there is a wide diversity of opinions and perspectives. Each person we meet holds a unique set of beliefs,

When I think about the interplay between desire, transaction, and exchange of value in both the tangible and intangible realms, I can’t help but feel

In today’s globalized world, business leaders face a complex and continuously evolving landscape marked by a myriad of global challenges. These include uncertainties stemming from

In today’s dynamic business environment, decision-making is a multifaceted process, encompassing independent thinking, corporate-team dynamics, and cross-corporate collaboration. Each approach has its own set of

Canada, with its rich natural resources and commitment to environmental sustainability, possesses a vibrant ecosystem of organizations and activities that shape its policy and public

For many successful small to mid-size businesses in Canada, there is an evident trend toward carefully considering both societal and environmental factors when making energy

I’ve recently had several sensitive conversations with business leaders about the often-blurred line between “veneer” and “real” leadership virtue. Our discussions have reconfirmed my belief

The crux of any business lies in three fundamental aspects: People, Processes, and Situations. Processes can be defined as sequences of tasks undertaken by people

As someone always interested in education and technology, I often think about how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve children’s learning. I know

In a world filled with diverse perspectives and opinions, decision-making can become complex when parties hold opposing views. Overcoming preconceptions, biases, and deeply ingrained beliefs

In navigating life’s paths, we often face the decision-making forks that force us to choose between taking immediate action or taking the time to contemplate

The principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) provide a framework for integrating sustainability and responsible business practices into an organization’s operations. While there is

A software project manager and a software product manager are both important roles in the software development industry, but they have distinct focuses and responsibilities.

Patrick Lencioni, an esteemed author and management consultant, has outlined key recommendations for building effective teams in his book ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’

Self-confidence is a fundamental attribute that profoundly impacts our lives, influencing our relationships, accomplishments, and overall well-being. It is not a fixed trait but rather

Your Personal Continuous Improvement To What Extent Can You Control Your Thoughts? The principle that individuals have the ability to control their thoughts and consequently

When we encounter a problem, it may initially seem like a roadblock, a hurdle that needs to be overcome. But if we shift our perspective

Being focused and organized can have a profound impact on your productivity and effectiveness in all areas of life. By developing the right mindset and

When Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are in effect, electricity consumers may require various support services to ensure seamless integration and optimal utilization of these resources.

In his classic book ‘Think and Grow Rich‘ (1937), Napoleon Hill emphasized the workshop of the mind where all great ideas are born—the Creative Imagination.

Symptoms of Software Project Failure There are several reasons why people may have trouble completing software projects. Here are some common factors that can contribute

Yes, again that word – “Governance”. AI governance is a critical aspect that must be addressed due to the inherent pros and cons, rewards, and

Software projects can be completed on time and without surprises when requirements are clearly communicated ‘up front’, the more detail, the better. Creating software project

In the digital age where technology is a fundamental part of our lives, understanding the concepts and nuances can be a bit of a challenge,

Stepping into the Fast-Paced World of Technology: A Business Perspective In an era where technology is developing at an astonishing pace, it is not surprising

Do you need to Unplug & Reconnect an Overstimulated Workforce? People’s increasing need for and/or exposure to stimulation affects both their receptiveness to commercial messages

Re-evaluating Our Problem-Solving Approaches Question the Processes, Understand the Situations, and Preserve the People When confronted with problems, it’s vital to remember three fundamental aspects

DENTAL Doubt – Ego – Negativity – Time – Ambivalence – Laziness The Hidden Forces That Make Change Feel Like Pulling Teeth D is for

Many people talk about the flawed information provided by AI “language apps”. It is true, AI apps do provide flawed information. Also, some AI apps

Evolving inter-generational workforce dynamics could hurt your business. Inter-generational workforce dynamics are shifting as financially anxious Baby Boomers exit the workforce and Millennials and younger

Risk Management – a high level description Risk management is a process. The goal of the process is to understand risks and take (affordable) steps

Ever feel like you’re wrestling with an overstuffed plate of obligations? Or like you’re so caught up in the minutiae that you lose sight of

Habits have a special relationship with Time. Understand this relationship. It is a key to success and peace of mind. Habits have a special relationship

So often AI is portrayed either as a surreal robot or as a surreal circuit boardish thing. For example, Bing created these images when I

A bit about Gallup I’ve been a fan of Gallup’s StrengthsFinder [now CliftonStrengths] for over 20 years. No questions or surprise – Learner is my

We named our company, Waterloo Intuition & Technology Corporation Some People Believe… “Gut Feel” is when you have a strong feeling that isn’t backed by

A Brief History of AI The following timeline highlights the contributions of just a few key players, but the field of AI is vast, and

The Problem Today, leaders of small to mid-size businesses are facing too many challenging problems. Often, these challenging problems are tied to keeping up with

Over the last few years, I have written and talked about the communication problems that happen when business leaders use words like Passion and Integrity

Q: Why did Al Gore create algorithms? A: There seems to be some confusion in your question. Al Gore, the former Vice President of the

In TLDR, I read the following about Geoffery Hinton’s retirement: ‘Godfather of AI’ quits Google with regrets and fears about his life’s work (2 minute

Making decisions is an essential part of our daily lives, and it is no different when it comes to running a small to mid-size business

In a recent ‘dialogue’ with ChatGPT… I explored AI responses tied to questions about optimism and pessimism. After a few Q&A iterations, ChatGPT made an

Ten Years ago, in 2013, I wrote the following blog about creativity. Here’s a thought about creativity vis-à-vis right and wrong: creativity is not about

Introduction The Clients’ Clients Philosophy is a game-changing concept that can revolutionize the way you do business. It’s about not just providing excellent products and

As a business leader, striking the right balance between strategic thinking and attention to detail is crucial. Both aspects are essential for long-term success, and

The Law of the Barbell: Some people spot, some people lift, and some people just keep adding weights. For example, consider Civility… Civility is defined

In today’s fast-paced world, business leaders must exhibit confidence without intimidating their followers. It is crucial to strike a balance between self-assuredness and humility while

I decided to let AI be the judge. For well over a decade, I have talked about [argued] the need for people to be comfortable

Dan Ariely, in his book ‘The Upside of Irrationality’ (2010), rightly points out that making big, important, life-changing decisions is difficult due to the numerous

Introduction: The world of IT has highly skilled professionals who make our daily lives easier through their technical prowess. But what happens when things don’t

It seems to me trust is a fragile thing. When two people share trust and one of them perceives an injustice trust quickly comes into

Understanding Attitude Attitude can be defined as an individual’s mental disposition toward a particular situation, object, or person. Our attitudes influence how we perceive and

In the beginning…there was Reality Reality refers to everything that exists and can be experienced, perceived, or measured, including physical objects, events, thoughts, and emotions.

What does “Augmented Reality” mean? Augmented Reality is like adding a layer of digital things on top of what you see in the real world.

I’ve been listening to Roger Dawson’s vintage audio course on negotiating. And I’ve been evaluating AI effectiveness. Putting those two together, I used AI to

Some people get very annoyed when words like “understand”, “think”, and “know” are applied to AI capabilities. Here’s a link with an example of concerns

Do you worry about staffing, supply chain, or cyber-threat problems? I ask this question because, at last month’s Centre for Family Business event, many business

Introduction to the P=2S+O approach to solving problems The P=2S+O approach is a powerful problem-solving methodology that stands for:  “For every Problem, you can find

Alvin Toffler’s ground-breaking work, “Future Shock,” highlighted the potential consequences of rapid technological and societal change. Toffler was incredibly prescient in his analysis, predicting the

Small to Mid-Size Businesses are the Backbone of Our Economy Small to mid-size businesses (SMEs) in Canada are the backbone of the economy, and they

The Importance of Mental Health Treatments Mental health conditions affect a sizable portion of the global population and can have a profound impact on an

This blog presents thoughts about how Decision-Making, coupled with technology advancements and social trends, is likely to evolve over the next 10 to 20 years.

Napoleon Hill, a famous American author and motivational speaker, is often credited with the quote “Dreaming is the seedling of reality.” Hill believed that success