by: Michael Kanazawa (note: picture source from Lisa Haneberg’s Management Craft blog)

Just recently, Lisa Haneberg had me join her for a “Fireside Chat” podcast for her popular management blog, Management Craft. During the interview she started talking about her favorite sentence in the whole book, and I knew just what she was talking about. The sentence is, “Denial is the opium of losers.” In the podcast we talk about what that means and how to avoid the problems it can cause. She also pointed out several other real keys to the book with amazing accuracy. Although we don’t quite solve every business problem in the world, we do talk about a new mantra to live by that should replace the old and ineffective phrase, “do more with less.”

You can listen to the podcast and read her post about the podcast or just listen to the podcast here.

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By: Michael Kanazawa

Sometimes the Biggest Ideas are the smallest things. Quiznos is in the midst of a major turnaround under the leadership of veteran turnaround CEO Greg Brenneman. Reviving the growth and profits of a 5,200 chain restaurant certainly qualifies for a BIG Idea to BIG Results transformation.

What is Brenneman’s answer to this challenge? Go smaller.

Quiznos has been steadily slimming the menu that had grown overly complex with too many choices of sandwiches, specials, sizes, and coupon deals. That complexity was driving up food costs and slowing down operations. There can be real costs to going too big.

They also just launched an innovative new product called the Sammie. The new sandwich is a flatbread snack that looks like a taco, but is filled with meats and vegetables. For some who are familiar, it is really like a Gyro (Greek sandwich), but with deli fillings. The new sandwich is small and comes at a smaller price than their other menu options at just $2.00. This will give them a BIG boost with an innovative product into the value-conscious snack buyers. And rather than just creating a low-end, cheap knock-off version of their famous toasted sandwich priced at $3.99 rather than $4.57, they truly created a new product to meet customer needs for a convenient and well priced snack. (more…)

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By Michael Kanazawa

Remember when you used to dream about what wishes you would make if a genie showed up? Wasn’t the first one always, “I wish I had 1,000 more wishes.” That is absolutely the best one you could ever make, right?

On top of all New Year’s resolutions lists is there an equivalent must-have item? No, it’s not to get yourself a Wii. Here is our suggestion…

#1  Turn my Big Ideas into Big Results

New Year’s resolutions, company priorities, strategic imperatives and operating goals are all just lists of things to get done. But even as we create those lists at the beginning of each year, are we really committed to seeing them through? Promise to make your big ideas into big results first, then whatever you put on your list after that will get done. You will produce results, which is really the only reason for making a list in the first place.

Go ahead and put that resuloution on your list, but now how will you follow through? This year we have just the thing to help. As you work through setting goals and direction for yourself, your team, your division or your company, the new book BIG Ideas to BIG Results (FT Press/Pearson Hall) is just what you need to ensure you have the streamlined process, tools and knowledge to follow through and drive results.

Bob and I wrote this book based on our years of experience in helping leaders through the challenges of taking charge, focusing companies for dramatic growth, and engaging their organizations for breakthrough results. Our desire in writing the book was to bring valuable solutions, that were once only available through the Harvard Business School MOE program and then only to top executives at global companies, into the hands of leaders at all levels in all types of companies.  

We’re looking forward to having a great 2008 with you! No matter what your aspirations for 2008, if you make turning your Big Ideas into Big Results your number one commitment, you’ll be sure to see success on all your other commitments throughout the year.

Photo source: www.timessquarenyc.org

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By Michael Kanazawa

There is no better opportunity to lay the ground work for turning big ideas into big results than in the first 100 days as a new leader. By the end of 100 days everyone will be done sizing you up as a leader, the organization will either be on a new trajectory or settle back down into the current track, and you will have set the stage for your next 2-3 years as a leader. You have a huge opportunity when taking over as a new leader.

First is the chance to change the strategic direction of the organization. People are actually expecting it, so the shift will be much easier than at any other time. Political structures will be in flux, so long-standing tough decisions that have been avoided will be easier to drive through to closure. And, even as tough decisions are made, everyone will be looking at you as the new hope for growth and improvement. People want you to be successful because it means better things for them as well. So, they will be ready to follow your lead. With so much opportunity (and risk of missed opportunities) at hand, it is worth carefully planning your first 100 days to get everything out of it that you possibly can. Korn Ferry published research on the pitfalls and tips for success in leading through the first 100 days based on views about leaders in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Below are statics from two questions they asked.

What is the most common mistake that senior executives make during their first 100 days? (more…)

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