Category Archives: Innovation

Creating a Culture of “Yes!”

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Creating a Culture of “Yes!”One reoccurring trend we see today among our clients is the desire to create an environment where employees feel empowered to not only bring attention to issues, but also present well-developed ideas for solutions.   Employees may not come up with the perfect solution to a problem the first time around. However, encouraging a culture open to starting a dialogue with employees at all levels is the first step to discovering new ideas and creative ways to solve problems. Many of our clients have coined this as a culture of “yes.”

A “yes” culture does not mean that leadership must say “yes” to every idea, but be open to suggestions and, for the best ideas, actively work to shape and implement them. Our clients who value this kind of dialogue and debate find that simply adopting a culture open to brainstorming and discussing new  ways of doing things fosters innovation, employee engagement, higher productivity, and, ultimately, happy customers.

A Forbes article, One Word That Will Transform You As a Leader, takes a deeper look into how “yes” translates into our daily work lives.  “As a leader you should challenge, probe, assess, validate, and even confront on a regular basis. By all means ask people to justify their logic. It’s perfectly okay to ask ‘Why should I say yes to this?’ and it’s even more okay to expect a good answer. Make sure, however, that when you send a person back to the drawing board it’s a teaching exercise and not a death sentence. By helping people refine their thinking you’re in essence clarifying your expectations, developing them in the process, and advancing the ball at the same time – this is simply good leadership,” explains the article.

At Dinte Executive Search, we followed the example of our clients. We are embracing the culture of “yes” and find that fresh ideas and approaches often come from our employees closest to the front lines.  We even have a Pink Sparkly Box, where everyone submits ideas – and we keep track of every idea we implement. It’s fun and makes us continually think of ways to do things better. Wait until you see our new website!

How do you foster a “yes” culture? How has it impacted the way you do business?

The Importance of Social Media Buy-in from the C-Suite

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social mediaOver recent years, social media has become one of the most talked about topics in marketing and rightfully so. Social Media can be a valuable tool for organizations. It allows them to not only stay connected with their customers and clients, but also continually shape their brand’s image. With more than 340 million daily Tweets and 200+ million registered members on LinkedIn, social media platforms have presented numerous opportunities for companies to strengthen their brands.

In order for social media to be successful, though, C-level executives must own and buy into the concept. Simply having an employee tweet once a week and write a blog once in a while is not nearly enough. Moreover, there should be guidelines on how to use social media in alignment with the company’s brand and business strategy.

So what is reasonable in terms of resources and oversight? According to a recent blog by McKinsey & Company, this is a topic that many C-level executives struggle with when they consider leveraging social media. The McKinsey blog attributed two primary factors to the C-suite’s dilemma around wholeheartedly supporting social media – how to use it and what metrics to use to measure it. Executives are aware that customers and clients use social media as a channel to discuss brands and seek advice, but they aren’t sure as to when and how to engage in these conversations. And, without a clear way to measure social media’s financial impact, C-suite executives are hesitant to allocate significant resources to an activity whose ROI is uncertain.

Dinte Executive Search works with many clients facing these same issues. While it is clear that different companies will vary in their level of engagement with social media, it is also clear that C-Suite buy-in is critical. Below are a few observations from our recent discussions with clients and candidates:

1. Branding and Messaging. Buy-in from C-suite executives is the key to presenting a clear, consistent message to clients, customers, and employees.

2. Investment. Executives must be able to see social media’s value add. At the same time, realistic expectations need to be set in terms of what the ROI could be and how long it might take. Only when these two issues are addressed can executives determine the appropriate level of investment in social media.

3. Guidelines. Social platforms can present numerous opportunities for organizations to strengthen their image and engagement with customers. These opportunities could also be risks without clear and clearly communicated guidelines from leadership to all employees about how to use social media. It is important to consider not only how the social media expert is leveraging Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, and other platforms, but also how employees overall are impacting the corporate brand and image in the marketplace.

What has your company experienced?

The Evolution of the Executive Board Room: Make Way for the Chief Digital Officer

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chief digital officerOver the past decade, technology has revolutionized the way organizations conduct business.  These changes are visible in nearly every aspect of life. Kindergarteners are learning how to add and subtract on iPads.  College students are earning their degrees online in the comfort of their parents’ basement (parents everywhere are thrilled). Business executives can skip the ticket counter at the airport and get their boarding pass on their iPhones. Today’s digital age has presented numerous opportunities and challenges for organizations looking to stay ahead of evolving technology and consumer behavior.

As digital media continues to evolve, so does the organizational structure within an organization.  Over the past few years, many organizations have decided to add one more chair to the executive board room, a spot reserved for the Chief Digital Officer (CDO).  According to a recent study by Gartner, one quarter of all organizations will have a CDO by 2015.

So what does a CDO do? Due to ever-changing technology and customer demands, the answer to that question continues to evolve. The primary role of this executive is to develop and execute digital strategy across multiple platforms including web, mobile, social, and local. This person is a driver of digital innovation and must discover new ways to present and sell products and/or services through digital media.  The CDO develops a unified user interface that ensures all customers will receive a similar digital experience no matter which platform they use.  They must not only be masters of digital but also have strong overall business acumen.  According to David Willis, vice president at Gartner, “The Chief Digital Officer plays in the place where the enterprise meets the customer, where the revenue is generated and the mission accomplished. They’re in charge of the digital business strategy. That’s a long way from running back office IT, and it’s full of opportunity.”

Due to the complex role of the CDO, finding the right candidate to fill this position may be a challenge.  The role is unique in that it requires a balance of both technical ability and business acumen.  In working with our clients, Dinte Executive Search has identified several key competencies necessary for this position.

• Leadership. CDOs by definition are transformational leaders. They inspire, motivate, and influence people and organizations to move in a new or different direction.

• Vision. CDOs have a vision for the future. They are able to see “through the maze” to identify opportunities, white space, and potential revenue streams. They also thrive on innovation and look at ordinary things in a new way.

• Results, Results, Results. The most successful CDOs literally capitalize on their vision by driving business results. They tie everything to measurable results important to the organization. They are willing to take measured risks — and make the tough decision when an initiative is not yielding the desired results.

• Strategic Agility. Today’s CDOs need to be adaptable, flexible, and agile. The evolving world of digital, coupled with each industry’s own dynamic changes, requires CDOs to deftly navigate within their organizations, gain internal and external buy-in, influence the key influencers, and get things done.

Do you have a CDO in your organization? How do you think a CDO can add value to an executive team?

The Employee – An Organization’s most Powerful Brand Ambassador or its own Worst Enemy

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Brand AmbassadorAnyone that has ever played a round of golf has probably encountered one of these people. This person may even be in your weekly golf group; or maybe it’s you.  We’re talking about the super-fan.  That person who shows up to the golf course decked out from head to toe in their favorite golf brand’s apparel. They arrive at the first tee with their clubs and the bag to match.  The super-fan is loyal and would never consider switching brands. If it weren’t for the fact that you’ve seen how terrible they are, you might even think they are a sponsored Tour Player.  This person is a brand ambassador and a valuable asset to the organization.

In many instances, an organization’s most crazed, “super-fans” can be its employees. Although the concept seems quite simple, many organizations struggle to leverage this idea.  However, utilizing those who have a passion for the organization can be crucial to its success. In an article by Undercover Recruiter, Mike Ryan, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Strategy at Madison Performance Group, stated, “Engaged employees who successfully represent the company brand provide a competitive advantage and impact the bottom line – a crucial benefit in today’s competitive global business environment.”  At Dinte Executive search, we understand the importance of fostering a supportive work environment that produces brand ambassadors.  Below is a list of reasons why executives should leverage their employees as brand advocates.

1. Recommendations. Employee advocates firmly believe in the work that they do and the organization they work for.  They are more likely to recommend the organization’s products and services to their friends and family. Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful marketing techniques an organization can use.

2. Referrals.  Organizations spend a great deal of time and money on talent acquisition.  When a candidate is finally hired, you might realize that they aren’t a good cultural fit. Employee ambassadors can help solve this problem.  An engaged employee is more likely to tell friends and family when their organization is hiring.  More than likely, these people will match the culture of the organization.

3. Minimize negative press.  Transforming disengaged employees into productive, brand ambassadors can have a tremendous impact on an organization’s image.  Those who are disengaged and unsatisfied with their employer may be more likely to voice their frustrations on social media platforms and other outlets.  This can potentially dissuade highly talented candidates from accepting job offers.  Figure out why the employee is unsatisfied with the organization and resolve the issue.  Transform them from an enemy to a powerful brand ambassador.

In our next blog, we will discuss how brand ambassadors can leverage social media platforms to enhance the brand of an organization. Take a look at an infograph we found interesting.

Best Business Twitter Accounts

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Best Business Twitter AccountsTwitter has become one of the internet’s most popular forums to share articles, blogs, and breaking news.  With popular topics dominated by pop culture and entertainment news, most Twitter users choose to use their account for personal sharing and following consumer brands.  However, there is a growing niche for B2B companies, professionals, and business news.

“16% of CEOs currently participate in social media,” reported Mashable  in May 2012 using an IBM study.  “However, that percentage is expected to grow to 57% within the next five years.” 1,709 CEOs from 64 countries and 18 industries were surveyed.  The study also indicated CEOs are becoming more aware of the powerful impact a successful social media campaign can have on a business.  Over 73% of the CEOs surveyed also indicated their business is “investing significantly in ways to better gain meaningful insights from their customers.”
To make the most out of your business or professional Twitter account, Dinte Executive Search suggests following a variety of Twitter accounts including:

  • Business and industry related news
  • Clients and business contacts
  • LinkedIn connections
  • Related blogs
  • Local news

We have also provided a list of business-related Twitter accounts and influential leaders we thought you might enjoy:

Business News

Washington Exec  (@washingtonexec)
Reports news about executives in industries including IT, health care, federal government, small business, nonprofit, and social media.

Washington Technology (@washtechnology)
A business magazine for government contractors.

GovCon Wire (@GovConWire)
The latest news in government contracting.

Huffington Post Business (@HuffPostBiz)
The business section of the Huffington Post.

CNN Money (@CNNMoney)
Business and financial news.

Business Insider (@businessinsider)
Reports business news and analysis.

Leaders

Marissa Mayer  (@MarissaMayer)
President and CEO of Yahoo!

Tony Hsieh (@zappos)
CEO of Zappos.com.

Jeff Weiner (@JeffWeiner)
CEO of LinkedIn.

Pete Cashmore (@mashable)
CEO and Founder of Mashable, a popular blog for social media, business, technology, and world news.

Social Media in Business

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Social Media for BusinessSocial media remains one of the most underutilized – and perhaps most baffling – marketing resources.  As marketing budgets are often stretched to their limit in this economy, social media provides an inexpensive and often free solution to building a brand.  However, most businesses still hesitate to jump on the social bandwagon because they aren’t sure where to start.  Dinte offers a few suggestions below:

Why Should We Post?

As we discussed in our recent post, Adding Content to Your Communications Strategy, your customers are already talking about you. Social media not only provides you with a low cost way to communicate with customers but it also it also allows your company to guide and initiate the conversation.

Who Should Post?

At Dinte, we believe social media strategies are best executed when one person or a group of people is held responsible. This way, updating social media becomes a priority.  Whether you appoint one person or a team, it is important to set clear the objectives and determine the voice of organization’s to ensure consistent branding.

What Should We Post?

The key to successful social sharing is to strike a balance between posting your own content and posting external content. The focus of social media should not be promoting your organization. Instead, focus on sharing content that is helpful to your clients.  You can link to your own blog or articles from websites like Forbes, The New York Times, Inc, Fast Company, or other sites related to your business.

Where Should We Post?

LinkedIn: LinkedIn groups and represent a valuable channel and community of interest. Try searching for 3-4 groups relevant to your professional goals. Contribute comments to relevant topics, share interesting articles, or start a discussion. Then create a robust company page and use it to share news and blog posts from your business.  Your influence could lead to a new business opportunity.

Twitter:  Share quick company news, interesting articles, and blog posts 5-6 times a day to stay in touch with customers.

Facebook:  Many B2B business owners forgo Facebook because they don’t believe their target market is present.  However, with over 1 billion users, Facebook may be worth a second look.  Because Facebook is used for more casual and personal sharing, this is the best place to post updates and pictures of employees, events, charity involvement, blog posts, or related “fun” information.  Facebook may also be appropriate if senior leadership is trying to attract college students for entry level job opportunities.

Blogs: Blogs allow the most freedom of all the social sharing. Like designing a corporate website, blogs will require planning content in advance but the possibilities for content and design are endless. By offering your own experiences and advice and encourage others to share their opinions, you can be seen as a thought leader in your industry.  Remember to reference others blogs and articles or internal research to show you’ve done your research.

How do you use social sharing in your business? What are your favorite platforms?

 

Adding Online Content Sharing to Your Communications Strategy

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Online content marketingRelationship building is one of the most important aspects of a business. As our society increasingly becomes more connected through social media and smart phones, more organizations are looking to add online content to their communications strategy. “Nearly everyone is connected through some piece of technology, whether it’s a smart phone, tablet, home computer, or more likely, all three. This has opened up an entirely new and exciting world for both consumers and businesses,” says recent article Why Businesses are Switching to Online Content Marketing on Social Media Today. Most leadership teams worry that clients might post unflattering comments. However, whether it’s online or by the water cooler, your clients are already talking about you. Sharing online content allows you to monitor the conversation and shape brand perception.

Creating a Structure for Shaping Online Content:

  • Hold someone accountable. It’s easy to sweep updating online content under the rug when there are deadlines to meet and big clients to impress. However, online content only works when it is updated regularly. “We have a big response team who tracks all social media, all of the contacts, blogs, relevant information, and tweets,” George Halvorson CEO of Kaiser Permanente, shares with Forbes article CEOs Share Secrets Of Connecting With Customers In A Digital World. Making this someone’s full-time job will not only make sure online content is not only updated but tracked and improved regularly.

 

  • Keep the entire organization informed. “I spend 4 to 6 hours a week blogging internally,” adds Halvorson. Halvorson also sends a weekly email to all 180,000 employees at Kaiser where he shares accomplishments from the previous week. Blogging internally, especially if your organization is big, can help team members understand all business functions even if they are not directly involved. These updates don’t necessarily need to be from the CEO, but social sharing of success from a senior executive can be very inspiring to the team. At Dinte, we also hold quarterly dinners where we discuss our progress and ideas for what’s next.

 

  • Encourage social sharing across the entire organization. When your employees are well informed, they can be some of your most powerful brand ambassadors. This will push your content out to an even wider audience.

 

  • Engage your audience. Ask your audience questions about industry trends, business practices, or other topics of interest in blog posts and on social media. When they do respond, write back or use the comments to write a follow-up post. This will let your audience know they have been heard.

 

Does your organization use online content sharing to communicate with clients? What are some tips you have for others trying to develop an online strategy?

The Benefits of Business Podcasts

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PodcastsPodcasts have become an increasingly popular addition to social media strategies since their first appearance in 2004. Podcasts are prerecorded radio shows that share news and advice. Unlike radio shows, podcasts are free from government regulation and do not require a license for broadcasting, says HowStuffWorks.com, A Discovery Company. This allows any business or individual to contribute to the extensive library of topics.

Podcasts are generally free to download and range in length from 5 minutes to an hour. There are a wide variety of podcasts that cover topics including but not limited to business, politics, financial advice, book reviews, marketing, and popular culture. Because podcasts are generally released on a weekly or monthly basis, they are easy to keep up with and usually do not  require a daily commitment. This provides a great way to get caught up on weekly news highlights or expand your knowledge on a specific topic. Many podcasts also feature industry expert guests. Listeners are able to gain industry insight without attending a conference or taking a class.

The main benefit of podcasts is that they are in audio format. They can be downloaded to a mobile device from iTunes, Google Play, or a variety of podcasts websites such as Podomatic, PodBean, or The Pod Host. Podcasts can be listened to directly on a computer or on a mobile device through headphones or a car radio. This makes it easy for commuters to catch up on news when reading a newspaper is not possible.

To get your podcast library started, we have listed a few podcasts we think you might enjoy. The links lead directly to the host’s website but all of these podcasts are available for free download on iTunes.

HBR IdeaCast
Host: Harvard Business Review (various contributors)
Business and management topics featuring a variety of special guests.

The Look & Sound of Leadership
Host: Tom Henschel, Executive Coach at Essential Communications
Executive coaching tips designed to help executives be perceived in the workplace the way they want to be perceived.

What Great Bosses Know
Host: Jill Geisler at The Poynter Institute
Practical lessons for busy leaders.

Leadership Caffeine Podcast
Host: Art Petty, Founder at Art Petty Group
Practical advice to help leaders improve their performance and the performance of their teams featuring a variety of special guests.

NPR Topics: Technology Podcast
Host: NPR (various contributors)
Perspectives on digital culture, research news, and the technology industry.

Social Media Marketing
Host: Michael Stelzner at Social Media Examiner
Discusses social media marketing for business featuring a variety of special guests.

By the way, we are currently in the process of developing a leadership podcast! We hope to discuss leadership and industry related trends to help executives grow, build, and leverage their careers and leadership teams.

Do you listen to podcasts? What are your favorites? What types of topics would you like to hear covered in the Dinte podcast?

Disruption: The Key to Innovation

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InnovationIn the context of human capital, particularly hiring C-level executives, disruption often is seen as a negative. It’s risky. It could lead to a change in the way an organization does business, is seen in the marketplace, and, of course, makes people decisions.

The word disruption, like the word change, can sound negative or intimidating without context.  However, disruption is often a necessary stop on the road to innovation and development.  Steve Jobs once said his professional goal was to “put a ding in the universe” or to create valuable change in the business world with a revolutionary idea. He couldn’t do it alone and this need for creative and innovative thinkers clearly set the tone for all of Apple’s hiring decisions.  As an executive search firm, we find executives with this same level of enthusiasm and potential for positive disruption. We have found that our more successful candidates come from dynamic environments.  They know how to inspire a team to be open to disruption in order to create something amazing.

Human resources advisor, John Sullivan, offers another analogy. “In my many years of working with corporations, I have come across only a handful of HR leaders who have taken the time to quantify the business impacts of recruiting (Google and Apple are the best). But if you shift industries and look at the sports and entertainment industries, it is well established that recruiting is the most impactful people management function. In pro basketball for example, you could take an average individual player and attempt to develop them over time into a ‘LeBron James.’ However, if you wanted immediate results with a low risk of failure, you would simply recruit LeBron away from his current team,” says Sullivan in ere.net article, News Flash: Recruiting Has the Highest Business Impact of any HR Function.

When looking for the perfect “LeBron James” for a client, we often see our clients be the most successful when they are willing to step outside their comfort zone.   Recently, we were challenged to find an executive with leadership experience unrelated to the industry of our client.  Our client believed that an executive with a different background would bring creative insight and would drive innovative product development.  While we still presented candidates with plenty of leadership experience and the right cultural fit, the candidates each brought unique experience from different markets to the client.  The candidate selected for the opportunity was able to bring a fresh perspective to the leadership team and inspire even more productive and positive disruption.

What do you think? How does your organization inspire positive change and disruption? How do hiring decisions impact your employees and clients?

Creating an Environment for Innovation

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David Ross“Ideas allow you to have a debate you wouldn’t normally have,” David Ross, innovation consultant, told the Dinte Team at a recent lunch meeting. Ross explained that he once had an employee that felt discouraged because ideas were not implemented very often.  However, Ross clarified that this employee brought up points and suggestions that may not have been considered otherwise.  “It doesn’t matter if a person’s ideas are 100% right. If they can make me think about situations differently or refine my solution, that is the value added,” says Ross.

Dinte Global Executive Search recently invited Ross to our boardroom to discuss innovation and various ideas which we can put to good use in our own organization.  He explained that many people take entrepreneur classes in college but very few actually become entrepreneurs.  When working for a larger organization as part of a team, a person must truly become an intrapreneur.  Ross defines an intrapreneur as a person within an organization who is given the freedom and resources to initiate products and business ventures.  Ross explains that intrapreneurs are the great, creative minds of the organization and don’t necessarily need to be at the top end of the organization.  They do, however, need the right environment to allow ideas to flow.  Ross suggests that organizations must:

  • Develop an open, inclusive culture
  • Be able to identify potential for growth and development
  • Support employees and their ideas
  • Provide the right resources to accomplish goals
  • Create appropriate success metrics
  • Give enough time to complete a project

 

While encouraging all these new ideas, all leadership teams must make sure they are asking the same three basic questions every time they innovate:

  • What is the secret sauce?
  • How can we defend it?
  • How can we make money doing it?

 

The secret sauce of your organization is often your competitive advantage.  Organizations should encourage ideas that make the secret sauce stronger and unique from the competition.  However, no matter how good the sauce is, you must also be able to defend it.  Organizations must ask: Where is our expertise? Why do people need it? Do we deliver the same great sauce to every client, every time? Finally, leadership teams must make sure the organization is profitable.  Most organizations create additional services but this can be tricky.  Sometimes new products or services will take business away from existing ones. Instead, Ross suggests going deeper with products or services you already have to avoid competing with your own products. Focusing your innovation and being open to all ideas can create a positive environment for development.

 

Dinte Global Executive Search would like to thank David Ross for coming to speak with us about innovation. We hope to use many of his ideas in our own business practices.  You can find out more about David Ross on LinkedIn.