It's human nature to protect a good thing when one finds it.  Business is no exception. 

 

Often when we find a business strategy that works and creates generous revenues and profits we do everything we can to hold on to it. 

 

We protect it at all costs.

 

In business, however, protectionist strategies are rarely sustainable in the long term and can leave an organization scratching its head and wondering why it is losing market share to the competition when their current strategy had worked so well in the past.

 

Click here to learn more about the downfalls of protecting the status quo and how to ensure that your winning strategy doesn't destroy your competitive position.

A Down Economy can be a Strategic Opportunity

Tough economic times can be downright scary.  It seems lately that everywhere you turn someone is forecasting "doom and gloom" and beating the recession drum. 

 

In uncertain times like these, it is a natural reaction to batten down the hatches and ride out the storm until things get better.  While things will undoubtedly get better, hoping and waiting for this to happen is a risky strategy that can leave your organization scrambling to catch up with the competition when things do eventually turn around. 

 

Despite what you might read or see in the media, a down economy offers a number of excellent opportunities to improve your business model -- especially when it comes to your organization's strategy and vision for the future. 

 

Click here to learn how you can turn a down economy into a strategic opportunity for your organization. 

 

 

In this week's Featured Guru section we'd like to point you to a video interview Porter did with the Harvard Business Review on one of his best known works - The Five Forces of Competition - and how it impacts an organization's business and competitive strategies.