Picture this scenario. The sales team tells you that eight of 10 customers are asking for X product. That’s something you know you should be able to make, and you think you can, but there are some holes in your capabilities. Filling those holes requires expanding your technology in one or two process areas.
Or perhaps it’s a material you’ve never worked with or even an entirely new product you’re going to have to figure out how to make. Now it becomes an R&D problem to create it within certain management directives. For example, “we’re only going to be able to sell it for Y dollars, so don’t come back with something that costs double that to produce.”
APPROACHES TO THE PROBLEM
Many companies have traditionally approached this problem the same way: by turning to their in-house R&D team and tasking them with developing the needed product, process, or component. But that’s not always the optimal solution. Sometimes, outsourcing to a third party under contract, or accessing the needed technology via licensing from someone who already has the expertise in the area you are seeking and may only be using it in a non-competitive way, can provide a quicker, more cost-effective solution, and perhaps do so with less risk to ultimate success. The best approach needs to be considered by management on a case-by-case basis, balancing each of these factors.
Let’s look at each of these options separately:
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
