It is well known how Henry Ford pioneered the concept of the mass use, personal vehicle through his game- changing Model T. It would only be available in black colour, much to the bemusement and derision of his team personnel. The employees were in fact contemplating an end to the Ford company as per this decision, though that wouldn’t happen as the Model T proved to be an enormous success. As competition increased, the Model T too would add colours to its game. Flexibility has now been proven as an early solution to any business. Right now, the Inverted U shape works best as a model. It ensures standardization for the vast majority, thus reducing costs, and increasing the profitability. But it also keeps space for business innovations to thrive in the market. The car industry will have to work out several innovative solutions for the future. Flexible vehicle architectures will need to be brought in.

Source:https://knowledge.insead.edu/operations/a-potential-playbook-for-the-future-of-the-car-industry-11751

Uploaded Date:03 July 2019

Corporate strategy used to be measured in the form of shareholder interest versus those of all the stakeholders. But now it takes in to account, he difference between holistic and narrow value creation settings. Companies are unfortunately pursuing narrow financial targets, thanks to the trend of short- term thinking that seems to have afflicted everywhere. Those companies that are actually admired now, as testified by the Fortune magazine, are those which have worked on quality of management and on innovations. They are good with their talent recruitment efforts, partly because they are known for their social responsibility. The ones doing worst on Fortune’s list are, inevitably performing badly, business- wise. All this, points to the urgent need for today’s managers to embrace corporate finance, as the way out. They need to understand the topic, so the company can make use of the concept. Managers will then be better able to gauge the cost of capital. It will also help them be aligned with the primary source of value creation.

Source:https://knowledge.insead.edu/economics-finance/why-managers-now-more-than-ever-need-to-understand-corporate-finance-11741

Uploaded Date:24 June 2019

Physicians on the continent of Europe are not going through the best of times, with regards to employment satisfaction. As per a study conducted by Bain and Company shows, most physicians wouldn’t recommend others to work in hospitals. Part of the reason for this dissatisfaction is to do with the infrastructure. This has resulted from budget cuts, ageing equipment, inadequate technology and cuts in the talent recruitment drives. The report also states that a lot of the physicians do not consider themselves equipped enough to be facing such a complicated task. There has also been a marked rise in the spread of infectious diseases. The pace of change within the European healthcare system has also been slow. Thus, policy changes need to be brought out. The use of new- age tools by physicians has also stalled, due to low technology adoptions.

Source:https://www.bain.com/insights/europe-front-line-of-healthcare-report-2018/

Uploaded Date:22 June 2019

Due to the world population long been in billions, food and agriculture remain amongst the top priorities for global planners. Agriculture requires a transformation in order to cater to the burgeoning global hunger needs. Some countries such as China, Vietnam and Brazil are well advanced to cater to their needs. But others in Africa, Latin America and Asia need much help. Thus, some core elements, have been identified which need to be used in agriculture’s planning and delivery. To start off, differentiated and prioritized strategized need to be put in place. Morocco, Rwanda and Ethiopia are examples of countries that have gone ahead with such differentiated plans. Farmers must get linked to market- driven opportunities. Change agents too need to be identified, and then mobilized. The right starting points need to be identified, from where one may scale up. Planners will need to monitor the enablement of policies. A pragmatic approach has to be put in place, where an investor mind set exists among the policy planners. The civil society needs to be willing to change. The leadership has to be aligned with the overall strategy set, enabling the elements listed above. To manage this transformation, leadership skills need to be honed, through formal management training efforts.

Source:https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/chemicals/our-insights/successful-agricultural-transformations-six-core-elements-of-planning-and-delivery

Uploaded Date:22 June 2019