Leadership experts Frances Frei and Anne Morriss challenge Facebook’s motto of ‘Move fast and break things.’ In their book, they provide five strategies for leaders to solve problems effectively. They also discuss ten signs that indicate resistance to change within an organization. Their advice is to address these obstacles strategically, embrace the urgency of the present, and take immediate action.
The rise of content-based e-retailing platforms such as Douyin and Kuaishou has disrupted the traditional e-commerce model. These platforms create emotional connections between users and influencers through interesting content. Users buy products for engagement and fun, even if they don’t necessarily need them. Douyin has quickly gained popularity and achieved a gross merchandise value (GMV) of 1.2 trillion RMB by 2022. Traditional platforms like Alibaba and JD.com are experiencing declining GMV. As users spend more time on content-based platforms, the time spent on traditional e-commerce platforms decreases. The success of content-based platforms relies on influencers who become product ambassadors and generate direct revenues. By leveraging AI, platforms can increase commission and advertising revenues by providing personalized content. However, content-based platforms must evolve further to manage the relationship between influencers and followers. The rise of these platforms may lead to stricter regulation, but it also presents opportunities for U.S. e-commerce platforms to embrace this new model.
Knowing your manager’s manager and building relationships with leaders higher up in the chain of command can be achieved through skip-level meetings. These one-on-one meetings provide an opportunity to align with the company’s strategic direction, build trust, and enhance advocacy. Before scheduling a skip-level, consider your workplace culture and have a transparent conversation with your immediate supervisor. Define your goals and prepare meaningful questions that showcase your strategic thinking. Building a genuine relationship requires consistently demonstrating respect, integrity, and initiative. Follow up after the meeting, be accountable, and consider requesting quarterly meetings to continue the relationship-building process.
Overcoming procrastination on ambiguous tasks is essential for long-term success. By getting clear on the vision, identifying concrete steps, taking small actions, creating forcing functions, and limiting distractions, professionals can overcome task paralysis and achieve their goals.
In restaurants, the routine exchange between servers and customers often leads to superficial feedback. However, this lack of honest critique deprives restaurants of valuable insights and prevents customers from being emotionally invested. A different approach is needed, where feedback is viewed as a means of improvement. Reframing questions, focusing on customer behavior, and making feedback a continual practice can help businesses cultivate a culture of genuine feedback. By embracing feedback as a precious insight and partnering with customers, businesses can elevate their operations and establish a more effective feedback loop.