Business Archives

Beta Risk: How Systemic Risk Yields High Returns

What is a beta risk? What is the difference between systematic vs unsystematic risk? Does this particular kind of risk involve higher premiums? The key characteristic of systematic risk, better known as “beta risk” is that it cannot be diversified away by having a diverse portfolio. And researchers found that because it can’t be diversified away, beta risk is the only kind of risk that pays a “risk premium”—that is, a higher return for the higher risk. Keep reading for more about beta risk, and whether it actually leads to a higher premium.

How to Spread Ideas of Change in an Organization

Does your organization require major changes to stay afloat but others are resisting change? Do you want to know how to convince others about what needs to be done? In their fable about leadership and change, John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber discuss the difficulties of enacting change within an organization. They provide advice on how to slowly spread ideas until most of the members are on board. Here’s how to spread ideas of change within an organization.

How to Build a Network: Be a Giver

Do you want to level up your networking game? What is the key to building strong, personal ties? According to Adam Grant, the author of Give and Take, the key to building a social network is to be a giver. Grant explains that takers and matchers usually have small networks because recipients either feel like they’re being manipulated, or the give-take relationship is a quid pro quo. Givers, on the other hand, grow large networks because they give to many people, not knowing who might be helpful down the road. Keep reading for tips on how to build a network,

Calculate Bond Return With This Easy Method

What is the best way to calculate bond return? What simple method can help you do this? Determining returns on bonds held to maturity is an easier task than calculating returns for stocks. Use this simple method to calculate return on bonds, bearing in mind the potential effects of inflation. Find out how to calculate bond return below.

A 7-Step Guide to Better Team Decision-Making

What is the best approach for better team decision-making? Why is the financial plausibility test system flawed? The best way to approach team decision-making is to ask what needs to be true for the company’s strategy to be successful. This encourages creative ideas and holistic decisions, as opposed to the model-centric systems that discourage out-of-the-box solutions. The financial plausibility test is a flawed model for team decisions because it is expensive, model-centric, and stifles creativity. Read on to discover the step-by-step guide to better team decision-making.

2 Techniques for Motivating and Inspiring Employees

Do you feel like your employees have lost the drive to perform at their best? What can you, as a leader, do to motivate and inspire your team? Inspiring employees to go above and beyond requires a leader who is willing to show their emotional side. Everyone inherently has the ability to inspire, though everyone will do it differently depending on their purposes, communication style, and the challenges at hand. To inspire, use the following two techniques.

How to Keep Your Business Afloat: Be Non-Complacent

In an ever-changing and fast moving world, how can you keep your organization alive? Is it bad for your company to always be changing? In their fable about leading change, John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber talk about the importance of being non-complacent. The authors stress that leading one successful change doesn’t mean that your organization is safe—you need to be sure that your changes stick and that you’re ready to change again if need be. Continue reading to learn what John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber had to say about being non-complacent in their fable Our Iceberg Is Melting.

Evaluate Results to Make Better Future Decisions

Do you evaluate results after you make decisions? What can you learn by doing so? Learning from experience is a powerful way to grow. Whether it’s a decision you made—or a decision someone else made—you should evaluate results and use them as learning opportunities. Read more to learn why and how to evaluate the results of decisions.

Give and Take by Adam Grant: Book Overview

What is Adam Grant’s book Give and Take about? What are the main takeaways? In his book Give and Take, Adam Grant discusses three reciprocity styles: giving, matching, and taking. He highlights the pros and cons of each style and explains why, contrary to the popular belief, givers tend to become the most successful. Here is a brief overview of Give and Take by Adam Grant

5 Qualities of an Adaptive Organization: Adapt or Die

How to Have an Effective Strategic Discussion

Is your organization well-equipped to adapt to changing circumstances outside of your control? What can you, as a leader, do to increase your organization’s adaptive capacity? Every time your organization successfully addresses an adaptive challenge, it increases its adaptive capacity and is more prepared and equipped to handle the next adaptive challenge. You can additionally increase your organization’s adaptive capacity by building an adaptable culture. In this article, we’ll take a look at the five qualities of an adaptive organization.