Jenoir® Leadership Podcast

Jenoir® Leadership Podcast

by Dirk Schlimm
Management
Season 2

The Entrepreneur’s Perspective on Strategy - Featuring Neil Cawse (Part 1)

Neil Cawse, founder & CEO, Geotab Inc., joins us as a special guest on the topic of business strategy. Geotab has been recognized by ABI Research as the world’s leading commercial telematics company with over 3 million connected vehicles and global presence in more than 160 countries. Neil shares his experience, insight and perspective on business strategy in this two part interview on the Jenoir leadership podcast.
S2 · E4
Nov 7, 2022
26:27

Are Two Bosses Really Better than One?

If there is one organizational structure that continues to rankle managers around the world it is “matrix management.” The idea is easy enough in theory: Deal with the complexity of the modern enterprise by structuring hierarchy along multiple lines, such as functional, geographical, and/or product. But in practice this structure comes at the cost of clarity, and especially if managed poorly, the matrix can lead to confusion and even frustration. So, really ask whether you “must matrix” and if you do, make sure you do it well. Don’t leave it to the rank and file to figure out their multiple bosses but hold the bosses accountable for making the matrix work. It is their job to ensure that two bosses are indeed better than one. As always, thanks to Christian Clement-Schlimm for hosting. https://www.economist.com/business/2022/10/06/the-magic-formula-of-management
S2 · E3
Oct 24, 2022
20:16

How to Manage When Business Cultures Collide

Different ownership models (entrepreneurial, publicly-traded, family-owned, state-owned) have huge implications for corporate culture, strategy and purpose). This can lead to friction when ownership models transition or get blended. The WSJ reports that “private-equity firms are joining family businesses” as part of the founders’ succession planning. Understanding the reality and power of corporate culture and a commitment to building strong relationships are critical to making the transition work. In fact, the ability to adjust to and move between corporate cultures is a critical part of the modern manager’s toolkit. https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-will-inherit-the-family-business-often-its-private-equity-11663362421
S2 · E2
Oct 10, 2022
19:47

Leadership Stability - An Unexpected Competitive Advantage in an Uncertain World

We are living at a time of great change, and leaders are challenged to manage in an environment of uncertainty and turmoil. While experts will point to the need to adapt, recalibrate and even reinvent, stability can add unexpected value as well and even become a competitive advantage. Recent business news from Starbucks and Target make the point and have broader lessons for us as managers. https://www.wsj.com/articles/target-ceo-brian-cornell-to-stay-three-more-years-11662548401 https://www.wsj.com/articles/starbucks-howard-schultz-change-frappuccinos-11661888871?mod=Searchresults_pos12&page=1 https://www.wsj.com/articles/starbucks-spills-the-beans-on-its-future-11663158780?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1
S2 · E1
Sep 24, 2022
19:03
Season 1

Do You Have What It Takes?

The court battle between Elon Musk and Twitter over what was heralded as one of the biggest buy-outs in corporate history has all the makings of an epic legal drama; adjudicating it will not be for the faint of heart. But, by all accounts, Judge (“Chancellor”) Kathaleen McCormick, is the firm hand that is needed. Legal experts describe her as well-prepared, comfortable with complexity, and known for hard & quick work. Those qualities are not just great in a judge, however, but in any manager or professional. So, today Christian Clement-Schlimm and I are taking a closer look at Chancellor McCormick to discuss what all of us can learn from her. We are asking: “Do you have what it takes?” https://www.wsj.com/articles/judge-in-twitter-elon-musk-case-known-for-quick-work-11659791075?mod=Searchresults_pos8&page=1 https://www.economist.com/business/2022/07/11/with-or-without-elon-musk-twitter-is-overdue-a-shake-up
S1 · E11
Aug 29, 2022
16:20

Are You Able to Make the Hard Call?

As of July 30th, Airbnb has closed its domestic business in China, so you can no longer use Airbnb to book your summer vacation or other travel in China. Host Christian Clement-Schlimm and I are using this story as a jump-off point for today’s episode of the Jenoir podcast. We reflect on how perseverance during tough times is an important and even essential quality; but so is the ability to call it quits when “the writing is on the wall.” We are asking: Are you able to make the hard call? And, how do you know when it must be made? As always, let us know your thoughts and experience. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/23/business/airbnb-china.html https://www.wsj.com/articles/airbnb-to-quit-china-business-as-harsh-lockdowns-and-competition-weigh-on-demand-11653336953?mod=article_inline https://www.amazon.ca/Necessary-Endings-Employees-Businesses-Relationships/dp/0061777129
S1 · E10
Aug 15, 2022
21:15

Doing Old Things in New Ways - The Work of Innovation

Innovation is about more than just having a good idea, it is about making it happen. In today’s Jenoir podcast episode, Christian and I are talking the “100% recyclable running shoe that’s only available by subscription” as a case study for how innovation works and what we can learn for everyday application. We discuss (1) understanding the times we live in, (2) keeping the customer central, and (3) thoroughly planning for execution. The economist Josef Schumpeter said that “doing the old in a new way, that’s innovation.” The “shoe you will never own” serves as a fresh illustration of just that. So, where and what are you innovating? https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-100-recyclable-running-shoe-thats-only-available-by-subscription-11657188000 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-62142208
S1 · E9
Aug 1, 2022
19:00

Managing during a Downturn

As we enter the 2nd half of 2022, policymakers and business leaders see a darkening global economic outlook. Yet economic experts are equally puzzled that the job market has remained strong, at least so far. But some high profile companies have already announced a slowdown in hiring and more may be to come. It seems wise therefore to start thinking about how to manage well in a downturn and to do so now. Much of what is required may in fact be helpful and necessary for your business, department, or team regardless. Listen to our conversation on “managing during a downturn” and let us know what you are doing to prepare for tougher times ahead. https://www.wsj.com/articles/recession-economy-unemployment-jobs-11656947596?mod=automatedsf_trending_now_article_pos2 https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2022/06/30/why-hasnt-the-british-economy-grown-faster https://blogs.imf.org/2022/07/13/facing-a-darkening-economic-outlook-how-the-g20-can-respond/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/rude-awakening-ahead-for-young-employees-unemployment-job-market-inflation-competition-layoffs-job-hopping-security-11656942280?mod=opinion_lead_pos7
S1 · E8
Jul 18, 2022
17:56

Working Smart Is Hard ... But It Can Be Done!

Early on in my (Dirk's) career I asked a senior manager what it would take to succeed in my job. “Come early, and stay late,” he said. While at some level this remains good advice it (alone) is not sustainable. Other life responsibilities, a crushing workload, or a culture where “everything is important” demand that we “work smarter.” But if working smarter was easy we would have done it already. Working smart is not obvious; it is, in fact, hard. In this episode we are diving into the “how to” of working smart. We are looking at resources and concepts, but most importantly at practical and relatable examples. We will work hard to make the much talked about yet elusive concept of working smarter more real and accessible. https://www.jenoir.com/blogs/blog/912027-how-to-be-great-at-work https://www.mortenhansen.com/book/great-at-work/
S1 · E7
Jul 4, 2022
25:15

The Art of First Impressions

The Art of First Impressions is our topic today. Are first impressions really that important? Whom are we trying to “impress”, and how do we do it? In addition to discussing the power of a good first impression in business, our host Christian Clement-Schlimm shares his experience from the world of academia. The conclusion: The power of a good first impression is much more than a cliché; good first impressions do matter, they matter even more than you think, and there are things you can do to get better at making them! https://www.jenoir.com/blogs/blog/555066-ipp-2-0--from-seminary-to-theological-phd-program---the-importance-of-a-good-first-impression-in-influencing-powerful-people
S1 · E6
Jun 20, 2022
14:11
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