Leadership

It’s one thing to have a company vision, but it’s another thing entirely to live out that vision. So where does your company stand?

CVS Caremark (now CVS Health) is leading by example. That company recently took on its mission more fully – by removing all tobacco products from its stores. In light of the huge, and risky, change, business and brand approval actually increased. So, if their experience is any indication, values really do matter to customers, and other businesses should start paying attention.

In this article , Chris Cancialosi discusses the value behind CVS’ move to align the company’s actions with its vision.

Culture is defined as “a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization (such as a business).” Essentially, it’s the core of your business — so why wouldn’t you include it in your company’s audit?

Your company culture drives all the decisions you make and the communication processes you use. Including culture in your audit allows you to take a closer look at what could use some revamping and how you might increase productivity for your business as a whole.

In this article, Chris Cancialosi discusses the value of auditing company culture and explains why it’s often overlooked as a key component of what makes — or breaks — a business.

We’ve all heard (or said) the phrase, “it’s not what you know but who you know.” And, entrepreneurs really shouldn’t take that casually. Because, your connections really can make a difference in whether your company just gets by or truly thrives.

This may still be a new concept for some, so take note. While financial and human capital continue to be important for your company, social capital can potentially gain your business the most benefits of all.

In this article, Chris Cancialosi shares four reasons why social capital is the most important for entrepreneurial success, and reveals how to make social capital work for you.

When Microsoft announced it was laying off 12,500 employees in a 1,100-word email, it inadvertently sparked a discussion on company communication. How can business leaders effectively communicate company changes to their staff? What is the protocol?

Big or small, changes are changes, and they need to be reported to employees accordingly. By approaching discussions with factors like timeliness in mind, leaders can have more success in talking with their teams.

In this article, and with added insight from Jenny Dervin, the former Vice President of Corporate Communications for JetBlue, Chris Cancialosi outlines three lessons to be learned from Microsoft’s recent layoff.

Just as the “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” movies tell the stories of ancient relics that give their handlers power, so, too, can innovation give companies great power and a sense of command. From failure to organization, the problem solving of the Indiana Jones character provides insight on business innovation.

In the first post of the series, Chris Cancialosi explains how the hero archaeologist discovers innovation. In the second post, Chris goes into the Indiana Jones-style innovation implementation process.

Being the top dog in an industry can bring previously unknown rewards and accolades, but how close to the sun can you fly before your wings fail?

Many companies are guilty of the “Icarus trap” because they begin believing their own hype. This active inertia can lead to overconfidence and an insular perspective. As a result, many businesses lose focus and experience a loss of momentum and awareness. Rather than proactively planning, they revel in past successes.

In this article, Chris Cancialosi discusses active inertia and provides five tips for combating this potentially fatal flaw.

Free donuts can only accomplish so much. Sure, they’re tasty, and the sugar rush can help you make it through the next 30 minutes, but are they really boosting company culture or just your blood sugar?

If you want to see a real difference in your company, you don’t have to wait for your CEO or department head to introduce the next great idea. You have the power to initiate changes to boost your fellow employees’ motivation and your company’s bottom line.

In this BrazenCareerist article, Chris Cancialosi describes how you can take the reins and trade the dull donuts for a chance to truly revolutionize your company’s culture.