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| Externalities as competitive advantage | October, 2008 | ||||
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Dear By the time you read this the clocks will have gone back and autumn will truly have arrived. Now that the evenings are longer, there are fewer excuses for not spending some quality time catching up on your strategic reading by visiting the SPS online library. You'll find a considerable resource there, and members who try it often find themselves returning to the site regularly. On the subject of places that take strategy seriously, I would like to introduce our new e-newsletter sponsor: 2GC Active Management. You can read more about their work below, or better still visit the 2GC website. You'll also see below that the Society is looking for a volunteer general manager. This new role will provide a link between the outsourced membership services team and the trustees. If you're interested, or know anyone who might be, please get in touch with the SPS via email. One final note: the SPS AGM will be held in London in mid-January. Further details will follow in future issues of the e-newsletter. Until next month, 
James Leaton Gray, Chairman |
» In this issue: SPS news Research and insight Events and workshops Sponsor |
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| » SPS news | ||||
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Call for volunteer general manager The SPS is looking to appoint a part-time volunteer general manager (GM). The ideal candidate has probably run a small unit or business, and will likely have experience of running a 'virtual' organisation. Theoretically, he/she could be based anywhere, but would need to be able to travel to London for trustee and other ad-hoc meetings, probably every couple of months. The GM will be the first point of contact between the trustees and the membership services and finance providers, as well as the soon-to-be-appointed sales team. The GM's exact responsibilities will, to a degree, depend upon the candidate's background, but would include: dealing with simple membership inquiries; investigating sponsorship opportunities; and working with individual trustees on special projects, such as the SPS offering to corporate members. The role would be part-time, probably two days a week initially, and is paid by honorarium and any reasonable expenses. If you are interested, or would like more details, please email the SPS. |
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| » Research and insight | ||||
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Externalities as competitive advantage In the September issue of Strategy Magazine, Adrian Kuah argued that it is possible for organisations to achieve competitive advantage if they know how to make the most of agglomeration externalities. He advises firms to look for external sources to supplement their internal capabilities and emphasises the cost savings that arise from the concentration of production at a given location.
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Experiencing creativity in organisations Few managers are known for their creative genius, yet they are often required to respond creatively to organisational situations. In volume 41, number 4 of Long Range Planning, Ajit Nayak provides insights into managers' creativity by exploring two avenues. First, the author draws on theories from the 'practice' approach, and then empirically draws on insights gained from a study within the supermarket retailing industry. This study reveals how managers experience four distinct but interrelated tensions and contestations: motivation; organisational politics; pleasure; and personal morality.
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Opportunity out of crisis Uncertainty and turmoil rule – and will do for quite some time. Despite the crises, there are still opportunities out there, but companies will need to work harder and with a keener eye on the future than ever before if they are to win through. During the bad times, examining the options, thinking through the implications, looking for 'win–wins' and being fast and flexible is even more important than during the good times.
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| » Events and workshops | ||||
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Ashridge Open Programmes The SPS and Ashridge have teamed up to offer SPS members some exclusive benefits, the first of which is a 10% discount on any of Ashridge's open strategy programmes. Ashridge has a wide variety of short, residential programmes to help individuals and organisations to achieve their development needs. These programmes focus on blending the practical experience of their faculty with leading-edge business thinking, to inspire and challenge you. In addition, learning in small classes – typically 12–30 participants – promotes collaboration on your own issues and ensures individual support, enabling all participants to return, better able to transfer learning to the workplace. For more details, visit Ashridge. Please quote your SPS membership number when booking. |
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| » Sponsor | ||||
2GC sponsors SPS e-newsletter 2GC Active Management helps organisations achieve their goals by making it easier for them to manage the implementation of strategy. We are recognised thought and practice leaders in the field of strategic performance management, and are delighted to have this opportunity to support the Strategic Planning Society's work by sponsoring this e-newsletter. Based in the United Kingdom, 2GC works all over the world in both the private and public sectors. Our work includes designing and implementing strategic performance management processes, improving strategic alignment, providing coaching and training on performance management topics, and developing goal setting and incentive reward schemes for teams and individuals. 2GC also runs regular training events that offer an introduction to strategic performance management. Visit our website for full details. In the coming months we will discuss the work we do in more detail, highlighting case examples. In the meantime, find out more about us and our work by visiting our website. Alternatively, email us or give Gavin Lawrie or William Barney a call on +44 (0)1628 421506. 2GC Active Management – Performance Management Experts |
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