Flights of fancy

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Fierce competition is an unfortunate way of life in the world of business. It is obviously more intense in some industries than in others. One such sector is aviation. It does not matter whether the company is a budget carrier or the company is one marketed as full service. Securing a competitive edge is tough either way. The aviation sector is more vulnerable than most to the economic consequences of oil price volatility. That hardly helps the situation. Fuel accounts for around 40 per cent of the costs of running an airline, and profits invariably take a sizeable hit when prices are high; like in 2012, when oil soared to over $100 per barrel. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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Redefining a firm’s boundary

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-12-2016-0170 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 37-40

Keyword(s):

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Business World ◽

Content Type ◽

Competitive Edge ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Fierce Competition ◽

Strategic Perspective ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Increasingly fierce competition is a defining characteristic of the present business world. Firms must therefore constantly strive to find different ways of gaining an advantage over rivals. In this respect, the role of operations is attracting greater attention. A growing number of observers are advocating that operations are considered from a strategic perspective. It is mooted that the way in which processes are conducted could enable an organization to secure a competitive edge. Two different approaches have essentially been forwarded. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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Marketing and Gaelic football

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-05-2016-0079 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (8) ◽

pp. 15-17

Keyword(s):

Market Segmentation ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Business Success ◽

Market Segments ◽

Content Type ◽

Sports Organizations ◽

Competitive Edge ◽

Marketing Activities ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Market segmentation has long been acknowledged as a key component in business success. An ability to recognize and exploit disparities between different consumer segments can prove a rich source of opportunity for firms. Those able to successfully match their offerings with the requirements of specific market segments often secure and sustain a competitive edge. Segmentation strategies are critical to sports organizations as well as to more conventional industries. Sports consumers come in all shapes and sizes and no one-cap-fits-all where marketing activities are concerned. Different sports attract different consumer types. The secret is to identify the unique characteristics of each sub-group and target them accordingly. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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Taking Cisco into a new era

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-08-2015-0125 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 31 (11) ◽

pp. 1-3

Keyword(s):

Information Technology ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Business World ◽

Content Type ◽

New Era ◽

Competitive Edge ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – One of the most predictable things about today’s business world is its unpredictability. Hence, even the largest operators have to frequently evolve to retain their competitive edge. But that’s all in a day’s work for the folks at Cisco Systems. You don’t get to be world leader in any industry for nothing. So to achieve that position in such a competitive and rapidly changing sector as technology is perhaps even more remarkable. Since its inception in late 1984, the company has been driven by a desire to, in its own words, “connect the unconnected”. Few would argue that Cisco constantly achieves this objective. This innovative firm’s diverse range of customers have successfully navigated various shifts within communications and information technology thanks to its design, manufacture and supply of different groundbreaking solutions. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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Managing talent development effectively

Human Resource Management International Digest ◽

10.1108/hrmid-02-2016-0018 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 26-28

Author(s):

Graham Cole

Keyword(s):

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Talent Development ◽

Value Added ◽

Valuable Resource ◽

Short Supply ◽

Content Type ◽

Competitive Edge ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings It has almost become a cliché to state that the workforce is any company’s most importance asset. Organizations accordingly recognize the value added by highly skilled employees. Talent is perceived as being in short supply. This means that firms battle to entice individuals that will best help secure a competitive edge. Talent is a valuable resource that is widely considered unique and difficult to replicate. That much is unquestionable. Identification and development of talented employees is therefore often high on the agenda of businesses targeting sustained growth and prosperity. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent, information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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How modern technologies can generate a competitive edge

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-11-2021-0140 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Keyword(s):

Business Strategy ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Business Value ◽

Content Type ◽

Competitive Edge ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Modern Technologies

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Returning to work after injury: factors that influence the timing

Human Resource Management International Digest ◽

10.1108/hrmid-04-2016-0057 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 19-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Graham Cole

Keyword(s):

Labor Markets ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Occupational Hazards ◽

Way Of Life ◽

Content Type ◽

Returning To Work ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Serious Injury ◽

The Cost ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Occupational hazards are an unfortunate way of life for workers in many industries. For some, the risk of serious injury or illness is considerable. More positive is the decline over recent decades in the number of such incidents reported. However, in Western nations the cost of injury or illness at work remains substantial. Statistics show that in European Union (EU) countries, it can range between 2.6 per cent and 3.8 per cent of GDP. Regulations and conditions within specific labor markets help determine where these costs are absorbed. There are wide variations across countries in terms of how injured employees are compensated during their time off work. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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How Real Madrid increases love for its brand: the importance of interactive communication

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-08-2016-0121 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (11) ◽

pp. 4-6

Keyword(s):

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Brand Management ◽

Purchase Decisions ◽

Interactive Communication ◽

Content Type ◽

Competitive Edge ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings A firm’s brand is widely acknowledged as being one of its most critical assets. Considerable emphasis on effective brand management must therefore be a top priority for company leaders. Securing a competitive edge becomes much likelier when the brand is strong. Brands play a major role in raising an organization’s profile and helping to engage customers. People form associations about a brand that serve to influence their purchase decisions. Research has shown how such positive attitudes often result in consumers demonstrating loyalty towards the brand in question. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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When marketing mirrors jazz: creativity during the mature stage of a product’s life cycle

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-01-2016-0010 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 15-17

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Mature Stage ◽

Operating Environment ◽

Content Type ◽

The Public ◽

Competitive Edge ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Structured Abstract Findings Marketers are a canny lot. Then again, they have to be. Their operating environment is invariably congested, so securing the attention of the public is rarely an easy task. Any lasting competitive edge will only be obtained by those able to constantly outwit their rivals. Marketing goes hand-in-hand with creativity. It might therefore be assumed that the best marketers are the most creative ones. This capability becomes even more valuable when it comes to findings ways of revitalizing ideas which have become stale in consumers’ eyes. Author George Kneller articulated the essence of this when claiming that marketers must take a fresh look at what’s familiar to them to think creatively. Practical Implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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Prisoner of the past

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-09-2015-0142 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 31 (11) ◽

pp. 40-42

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Organizational Growth ◽

Similar Frequency ◽

Content Type ◽

Competitive Edge ◽

The Past ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Delve into current business literature and it is almost impossible to escape assertions about the importance of such as leadership, globalization and sustainability. Certain other words and phrases appear with similar frequency. Innovation can claim to be the daddy of them all though. Any discussion about organizational growth and success does not progress far without mentioning the inimitable “i” word. Being able to develop and implement novel ideas is widely regarded as essential if any competitive edge is to be attained. If you believe everything you read, take innovation out of the game and achievements of any real note will remain elusive. Creativity is touted as being the game-breaker that is able to set an organization apart from its rivals. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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A wider innovation spectrum

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-02-2014-0008 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 27-30

Keyword(s):

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Corporate Image ◽

Content Type ◽

Incremental Change ◽

Competitive Edge ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

The Right ◽

The Impact ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose – Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Innovation and sustainability. Two of the biggest buzzwords in business today. For many companies, focusing on one of these areas helps secure growth and a competitive edge. It thus stands to reason that combining innovation with sustainability might prove a real match-winner in the longer-term. A common perception equates sustainability with compliance. Small changes here and there to tick the right boxes. Corporate image receives a welcome tonic. But the impact can be much greater than that. Boosting both profits and market share are realistic goals when sustainability is used to drive innovation. Talent becomes easier to attract and retain too. Conventional wisdom has it that an innovation continuum prevails. Incremental change lies at one end with the more disruptive type at the other. Throwing sustainability into the equation demands a more systemic approach that extends the spectrum even further to reflect the scale of transformation such innovation brings. True innovation for sustainability should enhance performance in economic, environmental and societal terms. Practical implications – Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to digest format.

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