Author: pingel
Ensuring Stakeholder Buy-in on your Operational Plan Changes
Engaging stakeholders early is crucial for securing their buy-in on operational plan changes. This step allows key decision-makers to gain an early understanding of the problem. However, a common oversight is failing to bring not just a clear problem description to the table, but also potential solutions. Without this, early engagement can lead to uncertainty… Read more
AI’s Influence on the Entrepreneur
Not only will individual entrepreneurs with advanced AI capabilities be able to take advantage of low-investment, high-return innovations, but so will those with a keen understanding of cumbersome processes and how AI can resolve them. I urge individuals with this unique insight and ingenuity to step forward and take these bold risks. The time is… Read more
Struggling with Budget Constraints
When establishing budget constraints, a critical first step is to assess the reality. Conducting a thorough audit with the entire team is essential for evaluating budgeted versus actual spending. Significant effort should be directed toward understanding spending deviations, as overspending often arises from unexpected expenses. These unexpected costs are frequently categorized under preexisting labels, making… Read more
Best Packaging Design Software Tools
To create eye-catching packaging, select tools that are agile enough to adapt to market changes and can be customized for different segments. Do research to understand what types of packaging will catch the eye of the target audience. The packaging should be visually appealing and quickly convey the contents and purpose of the product. Avoid… Read more
‘Founder Mode’ Debate Rages
There is ongoing debate about which leadership style is better for startups—Hands-on Leadership or Founder Mode. I believe the optimal approach depends on the type of startup. For example, startups that require detailed oversight and technical expertise from the founder, such as product development-heavy ventures, and early-stage service-based startups, benefit most from a Hands-on Leadership… Read more
Adapting to Changes in the Market
Understanding change is a crucial initial step in managing and adapting to market fluctuations. While most acknowledge the need to be data-driven, there is often a tendency to jump to conclusions based on assumptions. Leaders should leverage internal knowledge and expertise by considering these assumptions but ensuring they are properly categorized. The process of understanding… Read more
New COVID Vax, Free Tests Available
I’m excited to see that the FDA has approved the updated COVID vaccine targeting the latest strain responsible for 40% of infections across the U.S. It will be available in a few days, and I’ll definitely be lining up to get my shot. https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/new-covid-vax-free-tests-available-6901602/ Read more
A Business Plan for a Technological Innovation Startup
In developing a business plan for a technological innovation startup, understanding where your product or service fits in the current marketplace is crucial. While startups often identify their target audience and analyze market size, growth potential, and trends, they often neglect a thorough understanding of the competition. This is mainly due to a lack of… Read more
Implementing Strategy in a Changing Market
To successfully implement a strategy in a changing market, alignment of vision and goals with the needs and expectations of stakeholders, including customers, employees, investors, and regulators, is crucial. Yet, it often receives insufficient attention, particularly when engaging employees. Employee buy-in is essential for achieving the vision, meeting goals, and securing the necessary resources. Similarly,… Read more
Investing in Innovation or Optimizing Operations
When deciding whether to invest in innovation or optimize operations, it is crucial to assess the company’s specific needs. Investing in innovation without first optimizing operations can result in significant revenue and productivity losses. Additionally, department heads are likely to compete for investment in their areas, making it essential to adopt a data-driven approach. Involving… Read more
Technical Setbacks in Innovation
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of acknowledging the frustration your team may be experiencing, regardless of the cause. This is especially critical if your team feels demoralized by technical setbacks in innovation, as such feelings can lead to a sense of defeat and reluctance to explore new innovative possibilities. One effective approach is to… Read more
AI Can Help Ease Hard Conversations
I fully support the idea of using AI assistants to facilitate difficult conversations. Often, these conversations are delayed or avoided entirely because of discomfort and uncertainty. People may worry about choosing the right words or how their message will be received—whether it might escalate the situation or if a single word could end the dialogue.… Read more
The Hold of Maybe-Legal Contracts
The continued use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), even in light of recent rulings, suggests that they are still being used in a manner similar to before, primarily as a sign of good faith. https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/the-hold-of-maybe-legal-contracts-6835514/ Read more
Economic Growth Doubled in Quarter
While economic growth doubled in the quarter, Implementing rate cuts could alleviate some of the burden on the middle class, who are struggling to purchase homes, cars, and other essentials. The combination of higher interest rates, exorbitant insurance costs, credit card debt, and student loan debt is hindering economic growth for many Americans in the… Read more
AI Outrage Risks
That’s an excellent reminder about managing transitions during the evolution of AI systems. Embracing AI involves understanding that it’s a developing technology, and we must plan for and manage potential disruptions. Like any business transition, this requires careful planning, contingency strategies, and maintaining current practices to ensure stability and continuity. This approach helps mitigate risks… Read more
The Decline of Responsiveness: A Reflection on Modern Civility
When did we lose the civility of responsiveness? When did it become acceptable, almost normal, to ignore a direct request, verification, or a simple reach out? This growing trend is evident among professionals, family members, and customer service representatives, particularly across the U.S. I believe that time, or the lack thereof, plays a significant role… Read more
Pay Equity in the U.S. Labor Sectors
Achieving pay equity in the U.S. labor sectors remains challenging due to intermediaries who resist accepting lower profit margins. Their actions inflate costs beyond sustainable market levels, ultimately reverting conditions to the status quo. This results in financial instability for workers and negatively impacts the broader economy, as economic health relies on individuals having the… Read more
Collaboration as the Catalyst for Creativity
Collaboration is one of the most crucial contributors to creativity and productivity. Bringing together diverse groups of people with varied backgrounds and expertise is essential for maximizing creativity and enhancing productivity. These unique individual qualities and perspectives serve as gap-fillers along the entire product development chain. Significant thought, process development, and implementation are required to… Read more
The Need for Flexibility in Technology Innovation
In today’s world of technological innovation, the race to market often sets the path for competitors. This urgency makes integrating flexibility into the innovation process challenging. This presents a conundrum since such flexibility can foster greater and more sustainable innovations. Therefore, a concerted effort is required to cultivate a flexible environment in technology innovation spaces.… Read more
Tools for Managing Change and Uncertainty in Business Operations
Various tools, such as SWOT analysis, scenario planning, agile methodology, risk and change management, and continuous learning tools, can help manage change and uncertainty in business operations. However, organizations frequently fail to dedicate sufficient time to understanding requirements and ensuring that the right people with the appropriate experience and mindset are positioned for operational success.… Read more
Bridging the Gap Between Product Developers and Non-Technical Audiences
One way to bridge the gap between technical product developers and non-technical audiences is to include non-technical personnel in innovation sessions. Team members from marketing, sales, and operations can enhance innovation by providing insights on anticipated market shifts, competition, customer preferences and behavior, price sensitivity, infrastructure constraints, and resource limitations. This real-time information helps provide… Read more
Balancing Creativity and Productivity in Technological Innovation
Companies aiming to balance creativity and productivity in technological innovation should take several steps. First, they should develop a roadmap that outlines anticipated customer needs and how to differentiate their product or service in the market. Next, they should form a cross-functional team that regularly meets to explore new ideas that align with the company’s… Read more
Adapting to Market Changes
Experimenting with product changes using tools such as MVPs, prototypes, user testing, A/B testing, surveys, interviews, and analytics is often overlooked or downplayed as a crucial step in product development, particularly for new generations of products rather than truly innovative ones. However, this approach offers a less risky way for product managers to adapt to… Read more
Transitioning from Contract to Permanent Sales Operations
Hiring temporary sales operations experts provides flexibility, lowers Human Resources and other administrative costs, and grants access to diverse expertise and valuable networks built through varied work experiences. Additionally, these professionals often continuously learn and improve, benefiting from their exposure to different industries, relationships, and roles across multiple companies that typically take years to develop.… Read more
Sales Operations Interview
Regardless of the competitiveness of your sales operations interview, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and emphasize your experience and customer-focused mentality. To further distinguish yourself, prepare a high-level sales plan that includes operational requirements, as well as a 90-day plan showcasing your ability to quickly onboard and deliver results. Additionally, come ready with… Read more