Having a basic understanding of what a strategy is and how to develop one is an important asset for every professional. In this CQ Dossier we provide you with an introduction on how strategies work and how you can develop one.
Anthony Giddens' Structuration Theory is one of a set of grand social theories that are capable of describing the very foundation of social systems: these include teams, organizations, and society as a whole. One of the key characteristics of Giddens's theory is the understanding of structure as duality: On the one hand, structures of social systems such as norms, symbols, and physical objects etc. enable social practices. On the other hand, these very structures are reproduced by agents and thus are also result of social practices. This understanding opens up a variety of new perspectives for managing organizations. In this blog post we have a look at some of those perspectives, such as Strategy as Practice, and derive key take-aways for managers and working professionals.
Today’s world is characterized as being VUCA - volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Because of this new and unpredictable environment, it is almost impossible to predict threats or opportunities - at the same time, the potential for disruption is very high. VUCA was a term originally coined in the late 1990 to describe a strategic leadership environment. This already hints at the hidden advantages of this seemingly out-of-reach environment. What is VUCA really about and how can organizations and leaders adapt to it? In the following blogpost, we will consider what VUCA can and cannot bring to the table, and give some tips about how to make VUCA work for you through strategic management.
In two sessions, we interviewed Eric Barends, the Managing Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management (CEBMa). Eric is based in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and advises management teams and boards of companies and non-profit organizations on evidence-based management and development. In this first session Eric discusses the foundation of evidence-based management and its benefits in business.
