From our good friend in Korea, Hyokon Zhang (we’ve temporarily disabled comments due to too much junk and spam – but if you email me comments I’ll happily post them – Rita) I absolutely agree…. Read more »
Thought Sparks
Thought Sparks, the brainchild of Rita McGrath, are insightful actions, strategic ideas, actionable suggestions and innovative approaches that help organizations and leaders master the future with less fear and more confidence. New episodes of the Thought Sparks Podcast are released every other Tuesday at 11am Eastern. Prior to 2025, episodes of the Thought Sparks Podcast were known as Fireside Chats.
Women owned businesses
I thought this update on the status of female entrepreneurship was very interesting: Women-owned Firms Increase Nearly 20 Percent Women-owned firms increased nearly 20 percent over the latest period studied, according to a report released… Read more »
Preparing for Startup
Rita was recently asked how people can best prepare themselves for an entrepreneurial career later on in life. Here are her suggestions: There are three things that you can do to position yourself to start… Read more »
Advertising Enrager
Is anyone paying attention over at XM Radio? The so-called ‘advertising free’ medium, for which I pay a hefty regular charge has now started inserting the most stupid, insulting ads into their regular programming. After… Read more »
The unexpected benefits of failure
Business Week just featured a cover story on how learning from failure can ultimately lead to success. Those who know us know that we’ve been on that theme for many years. The article is worth… Read more »
Wrong tools for the job of innovation
A mistake I see companies making all the time is to try to do new things with the tools that they are comfortable with from their existing businesses. Things like NPV, stage/gate planning, Six Sigma,… Read more »
New era for philanthropy
The transcript of an interview with Mac regarding the Buffet donation of $30 billion to Gates Foundation Knowledge@Wharton: I’d like to start by asking you the same question that Bill Gates himself raised during an… Read more »
The power of backwards
Have just read a great story about Gamal Aziz of the MGM Grand, who has adopted a set of principles that are very like the ones we recommend in “Discovery Diven Planning.” The idea: Pick… Read more »
Procrastination!
I was recently asked by a reporter to comment on the dilemma of procrastination. Here are some thoughts: Why do people procrastinate? Among the common reasons I?ve observed: We have a human tendency to over-value… Read more »
McGrath cited re BASF/Engelhardt merger
Rita Gunther McGrath is quoted in the NJ.com article entitled Surviving a Merger by Joseph R. Perone: “It is natural to go through an emotional sequence of events when confronted with a big change such… Read more »
McGrath cited re: Toy Store Gamble
A Sacramento Bee story entitled: Switching Tracks: Toy store’s retro concept is major gamble quotes Rita McGrath: “I’m not optimistic about this concept,” said Rita Gunther McGrath, a professor at Columbia Business School in New… Read more »
McGrath cited re: Small Business Innovation
An LATimes.com article entitled: Maker of high-end amplifiers is playing to a small audience quotes Rita McGrath: “Entrepreneurs focused on niche markets such as boutique amps, however, run an above-average risk of extinction, said Rita… Read more »