Kathy Mast Consulting

Kathy Mast — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:06:00 -0500

I'm always looking for good articles on Innovation - one of my favorite subjects! I like the article from Fast Company's Co.Design titled "6 Ways to Create a Culture of Innovation," by Soren Kaplan. Soren, call me! We can discuss how to achieve the same in 4 steps!

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1672718/6-ways-to-create-a-culture-of-innovation

A number of recent articles published on-line regarding innovation seem a bit "ho-hum." I like this article's recap of what's important to achieve a culture of innovation but with new and relevant examples.

If creating a culture of innovation is a challenge for your company, call me today! Let's be ready to start on Monday - the time to innovate is now!

Lessons in Leadership

Kathy Mast — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:58:42 -0600

I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of the results of the SMU Cox 2012 "CEO Sentiment Survey" and the announcement of the "CEO of the Year" on November 12th at the Collins Center at SMU. What an outstanding event. Congratulations to the SMU Cox School of Business for creating and continuing a survey and publication that offers great value to the community.

The overall economic outlook for the DFW economy announced that evening is best summarized by a quote from the survey results:

"As has been typical among our respondents since we began conducting this survey, the economic outlook for the DFW is once again far more positive than it is for the world and the country. A majority of respondents (56 percent) said that economic conditions in our area would improve, while only 7 percent expect a decline. This is a significant rise in optimism from the 42 percent who expected an increase last year. In fact, last year was the first time we had reported more respondents expecting conditions in DFW to remain the same than those who expected an increase. This year's results bring the trend back to where it had been for most of this survey's history."

We are fortunate to live in an area that is prospering and trust that the predicted economic improvement will continue to materialize throughout 2013.

The DFW "CEO of the Year" award went to Nolan Ryan, CEO of the Texas Rangers. Mr. Ryan's arrival and acceptance of the award delighted everyone in attendance.

I remember hearing Mr. Ryan speak a number of years ago. I've long forgotten the place or venue, but words that he spoke that day resonated with me, and I've never forgotten what he said. In talking about his experience as a pitcher, Mr. Ryan said when his game was "off," it was due to one thing . . . the Big C . . . Concentration. I think that is true in so many areas of life, not just the pitcher's mound. That's a leadership lesson for all of us. Getting our focus and concentration back on what matters in our lives -- at home, at work and in our relationships is the key to sustaining excellence.

Congratulations Mr. Ryan! Thank you for being an outstanding leader of our times!

Boardroom Leadership Responsibilities - Consulting & Interactive Workshops

Kathy Mast — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 10:25:07 -0500

Today's article from the "Corporate Board Member" e-newsletter reflects the importance of each area covered by my consulting practice and interactive workshops:

The importance of strategy for topics such as globalization & M&A transactions
Technology & innovation
Talent management

These topics are absolutely critical for your success: strategy, technology, innovation & talent! Call me to customize a review for your organization in each of these areas as you prepare your final plans and budget for 2013.

Consulting engagements span from assessments and recommendations in a 2 week period to 4+ weeks for more in-depth strategic initiatives.

Plan a 1 - 3 day interactive workshop for your board members or leadership team that includes a strategic plan at its conclusion.

I look forward to working with you!

Call or email me today as there is not much time left for 2013 planning!

(817) 528-4498 kathy@kathymastconsulting.com

https://www.boardmember.com/The-Boards-Roles-in-Top-Line-Growth-Strategy-Oversight.aspx

Kathy Mast — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 12:52:00 -0500

Great article today on strategy by Cynthia Montgomery, the Timken Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and published by the McKinsey Quarterly. I've already ordered the book referenced in the article. Click on the link to the article below.

A great way to review your current strategy or develop a new company or product strategy is through the use of the "Business Model Generation" canvas. Call me to schedule a session.

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/How_strategists_lead_2993

"How to Build Organizational Innovation"

Kathy Mast — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:15:34 -0600

Lunch with Symplified, Kathy Mast Consulting, and Zuora
Discussion on, "How to Build Organizational Innovation"
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2011
Time: 11:30AM - 1:00PM CT
Location: Blue Mesa Grill »
8200 Dallas Pkwy Plano, Texas 75024

I've recently learned about new products from Symplified & Zuora. They are both rapidly growing companies because of excellent, and in-demand, products. Symplified offers single sign-on solutions and Zuora offers advanced billing products and their products run "in the cloud." If you are a C-level executive that wants to achieve innovation and improve business results through new products, services and processes, our joint presentation is for you!

Please call or email me if you are interested in attending! We look forward to seeing you on Thursday. (817) 528-4498 kathy@kathymastconsulting.com

iPad & Tablets: Innovation Opportunities

Kathy Mast — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:47:54 -0600

I found this article of interest in Global CIO today. I think devices offer great opportunities for innovation. I've included my comments below for your convenience.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/global-cio/interviews/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=228200545&cid=nl_IW_cio_2010-11-11_html

As a business and I/T management consultant, I've been using an HP tablet for about 3 years. When working in the office, I attach it to a keyboard and 19" monitor. When traveling, it weighs less than 5 pounds so it is easy to carry. It has full media capability, so it is my entertainment too. Battery life is, of course, the biggest challenge. But I would never go back to a desktop computer that is heavy and hard to store, clean, and access for connectivity!

Recently, I met with Nicholas Renter from Merrill DataSite. He had a MacBook Air with an AirCard, gave me a product demo of very high quality and there was no "wait time." Later, I got a newsletter from the same company. When I clicked on one of the articles, I was prompted to register. I received a follow-up email from the company's president, Ed Bifulk, telling me about a customized site created for me, in my name, where I can access my articles of interest. That's pretty impressive.

While I often take a brochure when meeting with business people, I've recently changed that approach and have a presentation ready on my tablet instead. Sometimes I use it and sometimes I don't. It depends on the setting and how the meeting progresses. If I don't use it, I have it ready to send immediately after the meeting concludes. The benefits? Well, it is a "green" solution, reduces costs, maximizes my efficiency and presents some creative opportunities as I can access other material on my tablet if I need it.

IT needs to pro-actively test and distribute the devices and the software/mobile solutions that can bring great benefits to employees and customers. The time for a "wait and see" mindset is over. Think innovation - that's what the leadership of your company and your customers want. I "get" all the security and management implications. But if you don't do it, someone else will!

The other suggestion I have is for vendors. Apple should wake up and realize that it can take a substantial share of the tablet, mobile and application market for business organizations and users. Add the features we need. Make that market a focus. For the rest of the vendors, start improving your devices, support and customer focus because Apple may wake up or begin to dominate in spite of itself. Watch the Christmas market for the iPad - I bet it will be phenomenal!

Kathy Mast — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:36:38 -0500

New research from Nielsen (see the link below for the full article) supports the strategy of isolated innovation teams. While only studying innovation at 30 companies, this research supports earlier studies, such as the "Ambidextrous" organization. To achieve breakthrough innovation, create an innovation team, removed from senior management involvement and customer facing responsibilities. The opportunity to double new product revenue and build sustainable advantage says get started today! Call me for help in creating a unique, innovation team and culture!

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/16641/randd/senior-management-may-stifle-innovation

Kathy Mast — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:55:24 -0500

Quick comment in response to the question "Should B-schools be required by accreditation agencies to include some aspect of innovation in their curriculum and mission statements? I definitely think innovation should be included in the curriculum. See my comments at the blog on Business Week, at: http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/blogs/mba_admissions/archives/2010/05/b-school_accrediting_agency_takes_a_closer_look_at_innovation.html

Banking and Innovation - An Oxymoron?

Kathy Mast — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 11:12:56 -0500

Have banks lost touch with customers and innovation? See the article below plus my comment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brett-king/brett-king-banks-are-losi_b_550491.html

What are the top 12 steps to achieving innovation in banking? If you'd like to know, send me an email, and I'll send the steps to you!

kathy@kathymastconsulting.com

White House Process Innovation for Healthcare Bill

Kathy Mast — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 10:49:21 -0500

Business Week published an article on President Obama's change in approach to garnering support for the healthcare bill. See the article and my comment at:

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/apr2010/id20100421_755523.htm