Skills maturity matrix
Clay Parker Jones, 2013, Undercurrent
"This development tool is designed to give strategists clarity into their path forward, help them define and deepen strengths, and give managers a way to guide their directs."
Promoted to the level of incompetence
Laurence J. Peter, 1969, The Peter Principle
Why is incompetence so maddeningly rampant and so vexingly triumphant?
Cynefin framework
Dave Snowden, 1999, IBM Global Services
"All too often, managers rely on common leadership approaches that work well in one set of circumstances but fall short in others. Why do these approaches fail even when logic indicates they should prevail? The answer lies in a fundamental assumption of organizational theory and practice: that a certain level of predictability and order exists in the world. This assumption, grounded in the Newtonian science that underlies scientific management, encourages simplifications that are useful in ordered circumstances. Circumstances change, however, and as they become more complex, the simplifications can fail. Good leadership is not a one-size-fits-all proposition."
The internet and business
Rick Levine, Christopher Locke, Doc Searls, and David Weinberger; 30 June 1999; The Cluetrain Manifesto
"A powerful global conversation has begun. Through the Internet, people are discovering and inventing new ways to share relevant knowledge with blinding speed. As a direct result, markets are getting smarter—and getting smarter faster than most companies."
Theses 1–6: Markets are Conversations
The open forum of the internet is removing barriers to marketplace entry, democratising information, and massively increasing the number of actors with varying roles and objectives.
Thesis 7: Hyperlinks Subvert Hierarchy
Information is easily remixed and repurposed in contexts not initially intended. This changes its value.
Theses 8–13: Connection between the new markets and companies
Employees and customers become better informed through connection to each other and between each other; creating a newer, superior source of truth and method of verification.
Theses 14 – 25: Organisations entering the marketplace
Natural human tone is the lingua franca and organisations must find a way to become part of the conversation.
Theses 26–40: Marketing & Organisational Response
A degree of authenticity (read: relevance) is required from organisations to be accepted.
Theses 41–95: New Market Expectations
Provocations on future state.
Mind-altering marketing
John Grant, 2002, After Image
"Business strategy has shifted, from developing new products and services, to developing whole new business models and markets. This is a natural consequence of the Information Age, which affects the whole economy from the capital markets to individual workers."
You are the product
Richard Serra, 1973, Television Delivers People
"Commercial television delivers 20 million people a minute./ In commercial broadcasting the viewer pays for the privilege of having himself sold./ It is the consumer who is consumed./ You are the product of t.v. You are delivered to the advertiser who is the customer./ He consumes you./ The viewer is not responsible for programming./ You are the end product."
"If you're not paying for it, you're not the customer; you're the product being sold."