Competitive Advantage in Business: Why It Doesn’t Matter

Two leaders playing chess to get a competitive advantage in business

Do you want a competitive advantage in business? Why is focusing on your competition actually bad for your company? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning targets companies’s focus on competition and creating long-term competitive advantages. He claims that such attention on other businesses in this way doesn’t work for two reasons: rapid change and high customer expectations. Check out why competition isn’t the sole thing you need to pay attention to.

Rising Customer Expectations: Why They Want More

A line graph above shoppers showing rising customer expectations

Have you noticed a spike in rising customer expectations? How does focusing on competition distract you from your customers? A focus on competitors distracts companies from their customers. In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning argues that customers should be a company’s priority because customers have higher expectations than ever. Discover why customers expect more from companies now.

Why the Top-Down Management Style Is Outdated

A proud business woman who practices top-down management style standing in front of a triangle

What’s the top-down management style? Why is this management practice considered outdated? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning discusses the traditional business practice of top-down bureaucratic management. This long-standing practice consolidates decision-making in a few hands through a strict hierarchy of authority. Continue reading to learn the two reasons why top-down management has become obsolete.

The Agile Business Strategy: 3 Principles for Companies

Employees' hands surrounding a circle on a whiteboard, representing the agile business strategy

What’s an agile business strategy? What are the correct priorities of companies? According to The Age of Agile by Stephen Denning, companies can only thrive if they set the correct priorities and goals in response to economic challenges, which allows them to make swift changes as necessary. He covers three things companies should prioritize with an agile strategy: customers, the future, and continued innovation. Below we’ll break down the agile business strategy with three principles.

Prioritize Customer Needs: Why They Always Go First

A sign on a window that reads "CUSTOMER FIRST" to show that the business prioritizes customer needs

Why is it important to prioritize customer needs? What information is required to satisfy customers? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning argues that the customer should be the company’s highest priority, not shareholders. Additionally, firms should focus on delivering value that excites their users. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of putting the customer first.

How to Build a Professional Inclusive Network That Benefits You

An inclusive network of coworkers

Do you want to build an inclusive network of workers? How can you strategically build your professional connections? Herminia Ibarra’s book, Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader, emphasizes the critical role of building an inclusive network for career advancement. Strategic networking goes beyond collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections—it’s about cultivating meaningful relationships across various organizational levels, industries, and backgrounds. Continue reading to learn how to grow your professional network and advance your career.

Invest in Research and Development but Avoid These 2 Practices

A female scientist investing in research and development

Is research and development important for every business? How much should you spend on these ventures? To create products and services that fulfill future demand, companies must continuously innovate. Therefore, Stephen Denning argues in The Age of Agile, companies must invest heavily in building capacity for research, development, and production. Here’s more on why every company should invest in research and development that’s beneficial to their strategy.

3 Agile Management Practices That Help Companies Thrive

A business leader crossing his arms in the workplace who follows agile management practices

How can you apply agile management to your business plan? How can managers encourage a collaborative work environment? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning argues that to thrive, companies must ensure their management is as agile as their strategy. Denning highlights three important principles of agile management: small, self-managing, multi-disciplinary teams; networked coordination between these teams; and guidance from upper management. Let’s explore each of these practices below.

The 4 Benefits of Agile Team Management for Business

A group of employees working together at their desks under agile team management

Do you want to speed up development in your company’s timeline? Why are smaller teams better than larger teams? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning argues that companies can continuously innovate their products and services by organizing their workers into small, self-managing, multi-disciplinary teams. These teams work at their own pace and have the authority to make decisions on their own, rather than higher-ups approving things for them. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of agile team management.

How to Craft Your Negotiation Purpose: 2 Steps for Success

A woman with brown curly hair in a ponytail looking at the words "Negotiation Purpose" on a white board

What makes the difference between a successful negotiation and one that falls flat? How can you set clear objectives that guide your decisions at the negotiating table? According to Jim Camp’s book Start With No, establishing your negotiation purpose is a crucial first step toward achieving your goals. Camp reveals practical strategies for crafting objectives that not only serve your interests but also resonate with the other party. Continue reading to learn how to develop a negotiation purpose that sets you up for success from the very beginning.