Free Articles & Tools

Applied Strategy provides free monthly eNewsletters that address common challenges and issues executives face in today's business environment. Complete a simple form on our Home Page to receive these newsletters via email.

Please select an article:

• Flat Tires
(July 2010)

• Yippee Ki Yay!
(Cowboy Wisdom in the Business World: June 2010)

• Those Blasted Bits and Bytes!
(Using Technology: May 2010)

• Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires
(April 2010)

• Leading or Presiding?
(April 2010)

• Exposed and Fearless
(March 2010)

• Blurred Lines: Strategy at the Edge
(February 2010)

• Six Big Things
(A framework for thinking about your business: January 2010)

• Beyond the Brick Wall
(December 2009)

• Integration
(November 2009)

• Are You on Fire?
(October 2009)

• Two Italian Restaurants
(September 2009)

• Lemonade, Autos, Dishwashers ... God Bless America
(August 2009 v2.0)

• Diversification: Lefse Strategy
(August 2009)

• Profit is the Egg, Not the Chicken
(July 2009)

• Even Tailwinds Can Be a Real Drag!
(June 2009)

• Everything Changed! Poppycock
(Economy and the New World Order: May 2009)

• WIIFT--The Most Important Question Management Can Ask
(Rational Self-Interest: April 2009)

• "Tactics before strategy is the noise before defeat." --Sun Tzu
(Tactics and Strategy: March 2009)

• You're a Polar Bear and the Ice is Melting!
(Strategic Change: February 2009)

• It's Chess, it Ain't Checkers
(Management: January 2009)

• Temper Tantrums as a Management Technique
(Emotionally intelligent leadership: December 2008)

• Luck vs. Skill
(There is much advice on business to be had. Beware of those who have an answer for everything: November 2008)

• War is not the Answer
(Clarity, communication and assumptions: October 2008)

• Recalculating...
(September 2008)

• Fargo? You Betcha?!
(Where has good service gone: August 2008)

• Is Strategy Like Pornography?
(Defining strategy is not easy: July 2008)

• What do Skier Bode Miller and Apple's Steve Jobs have in Common?
(Unusual behavior doesn't work for everyone: June 2008)

• Strategic Thinking Simplified
(May 2008)

• Even Superheros Need Direction
(Vision is the starting point for strategy: April 2008)

• Ice, Rocks and Airplanes
(Preparation can be lifesaving: March 2008)

• The Illusion of Progress
(The problem with reorganizations: February 2008)

• CEO in a Cenote
(What do you do when you are in a tough spot?: January 2008)

• Good Question!
(Why questions may be more important than answers: December 2007)

• Churchill on Hell
(Perseverance may be the key success factor for entrepreneurs: November 2007)

• Dysfunction
(Why do large organizations appear dysfunctional?: October 2007)

• Have you _______ today?
(What are your priorities and how do you stay on track?: September 2007)

• Driving Without a Map
(Don't kid yourself—execution and strategy are both important: August 2007)

• Horses and Vision
(Why it is critical to focus on the right path: July 2007)

• Leadership According to Tony Soprano: Moving from Hit Man to Boss
(Lack of soft skills in leadership will get you killed: June 2007)

• The Welcome Mat
(The importance of first impressions on new employees: May 2007)

• Monovision
(Short trem Vs. long term thinking: April 2007)

• The Law of Unintended Consequences
(Why you must think deeply about your business: March 2007)

• Clear and Decisive
(The importance of clarity in your vision: February 2007)

• Is Your Business in a Red State or Blue State?
(Good strategy means finding new territory: January 2007)

• Is Time On Your Side?
(Success doesn't often happen overnight: December 2006)

• Age Appropriate Behavior
(One size doesn't fit every business: November 2006)

• Let 'em Run!
(Free your people to do their job: October 2006)

• Focus Often Means "No"
(September 2006)

• Tying Decisions to Planning
(August 2006)

• Some Things Should Not be Copied: Lessons from Kinko's, Part 2
(July 2006)

• "Take a Pill" Management
(Leadership is hard work: June 2006)

• Has Good Leadership Changed?
(Leadership principles that are timeless: May 2006)

• Alignment ... Not Just for Automobiles and Chiropractors
(A graphical depiction of why everyone needs to be on the same page: April 2006)

• Opposing Forces
(Why you can't be all things to all people: March 2006)

• You May Feel a Little Pressure Here ... The Annual Checkup
(A business self-assessment: February 2006)

• Breathing Your Own Exhaust?
(The importance of outside advisors: January 2006)

• How's That Been Working for You?
(Different results require a change in process: December 2005)

• A CEO's Battle Plan for Execution
(November 2005)

• The Top 10 Reasons Strategic Plans Fail
(October 2005)

• An Ownership Society: How to Run a Better Business
(Maximize the invovement of your team: September 2005)

• Some Things Ought to be Copied: Lessons from Kinko's, Part I
(August 2005)