johndoe@gmail.com
Chapter 7: Managing Strategy
This page includes links to videos and articles featuring managers from different parts of the world. You can use these materials to gain insight into how practicing managers think about the topics that are discussed in Effective Management: Developing Yourself, Others and Organizations . Please note that these are external weblinks, which means that their content is not under the control of the book author and publisher. If you do come across a broken link, please contact us at: web.editor@macmillaneducation.com.
Meet the managers from the “CEO best practice” boxes …
| Marc Grynberg, CEO of Umicore (Belgium) | ||||
 | Video link: https://youtu.be/Hx326ssd2aw [07:02] In this video, Marc Grynberg reports on how his global materials technology company Umicore performed in implementing its strategy in the year 2018. Reflection and discussion questions: - After watching the video, what would you see as the cornerstones of Umicore’s strategy? - How does Umicore’s management measure the effective implementation of their corporate strategy? | |||
 | This is a link to the press release in which Umicore announces its partnership with Northvolt and BMW Group with the aim of developing a sustainable life cycle loop for batteries. Reflection and discussion questions: - Why does it make sense for Umicore to enter into a strategic partnership with Northvolt and BMW Group? - What could Umicore achieve with such an alliance strategically that it would maybe not be able to achieve on its own? | |||
| Nancy McKinstry, CEO of Wolters Kluwer (The Netherlands) | ||||
| | Video link: https://youtu.be/T3F9wkhOuI0 [10:05 minutes] In a conversation with Omar Abbosh, Chief Strategy Officer of the global management consulting company Accenture, Nancy McKinstry discusses the importance of technological innovation on the one hand, and of staying close to the customer on the other. Reflection and discussion questions: - What is the potential impact of technological innovation on the strategic positioning of an organization like Wolters Kluwer? - McKinstry speaks about the importance of “staying close to the customers.” How can staying close to the customers help managers to develop better strategies for their organizations? | |||
| | Video link: https://youtu.be/kgKFFUaFCQo [13:35 minutes] In this video, Nancy McKinstry explains how she and her team transformed Wolters Kluwer from a 175-year old print-based publisher into a digital business. Reflection and discussion questions: - Building on the Wolters Kluwer example, which steps does an organization need to take in order to effectively implement a digital transformation strategy? - McKinstry spoke of the importance of “changing the culture” during the digital transformation process at Wolters Kluwer. How are strategy and organizational culture connected? | |||
… and meet a few other managers, too
| Calvin McDonald, CEO of Lululemon Athletica Inc. (Canada) | ||||
| | Video link: https://youtu.be/6668pzIELxE [11:58 minutes] In this video, Calvin McDonald, CEO of Lululemon, explains his strategy for the Vancouver-based yoga clothes and athletic apparel retailer. Reflection and discussion questions: - How would you characterize Lululemon’s competitive strategy? How does Lululemon position itself on the market? - How would you describe and critically evaluate the growth strategy that McDonald is following with Lululemon? | |||
| | This link leads to a press release in which Lululemon Athletica announced its strategic plan to accelerate growth. Reflection and discussion questions: - Which growth strategy are Lululemon’s CEO McDonald and his executive team following? - How is the company’s growth strategy linked to the financial plan? | |||
| Ulrich Pidun, Director and global topic leader for corporate strategy, Boston Consulting Group (Germany) | ||||
| | Video link 1: https://youtu.be/SKxpUkPD_7o [02:58 minutes] Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is one of the world’s most reputed strategy consulting firms. In this video, Frankfurt-based BCG strategy expert Ulrich Pidun discusses the main issues which are relevant in developing a corporate strategy. Video link 2: https://youtu.be/iK64-qAfQPc [05:52 minutes] In this second video, Pidun identifies some of the common key strategic challenges for BCG customers. Reflection and discussion questions: - What, according to Pidun, are the key questions that managers need to ask (and answer) in the realm of corporate strategy? - What role can management consultants play in supporting managers in their strategy-related tasks? Can you see any potential limitations to relying on strategy consultants? | |||
