As the business landscape continues to evolve post-pandemic, several organizations are reevaluating their work models, shifting from remote to in-person work. Companies such as Dell, AT&T, Toyota, and the federal government have recently implemented policies requiring employees to return to the office. This transition carries both potential benefits and challenges, including the possibility of workforce…
Category: Company Culture and Values
Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity, and Resilience: Understanding the Spectrum of Crisis Response
In an unpredictable world, businesses must prepare for disruptions ranging from natural disasters to cyberattacks. But let’s be real—these aren’t just technical problems; they impact people, livelihoods, and communities. The way a business responds to a crisis can make all the difference, not just in restoring systems but in supporting employees, customers, and stakeholders through…
Countdown to Greatness: A City’s Olympic Journey Like an Athlete’s Training
When cities bid to host the Olympics, they embark on a rigorous, high-stakes preparation process similar to that of athletes who compete in the Games. Both face intense physical and mental challenges, and the keys to their success—whether it’s delivering a world-class event or achieving peak performance—lie in a set of shared principles. At some…
Avoid a Failed Presentation: Leadership Through Effective Communication
Both sides now: A Presentation that Missed the Mark It was a crucial moment for Sarah, a marketing executive tasked with presenting a new product strategy to the company’s board of directors. She had spent weeks preparing, gathering data, crafting slides, and rehearsing her delivery. However, despite her thorough preparation, things took an unexpected turn…
Implementing Mid-Year Reviews: A Strategic Leader’s Guide to Business Success
Implementing Mid-Year Reviews: A Strategic Leader’s Guide to Business Success It’s July and we’re halfway through the year. We covered PTO last month and doubtless some of us are contending with relaxed schedules for us and our staff. At these times, when we have the opportunity to do heads down work, perhaps without additional distractions,…
Moving On: Graduations and Large Scale Transformations
As a parent of five children, I’ve spent many summer afternoons at graduations and ceremonies to mark milestones. They are joyous and sometimes anxious events. They give way to reflection and speeches about lessons learned and facing the future. It occurred to me recently that a graduate is often facing some similar challenges to the…
PRESS RELEASE: Directed Action Inc Recognized as Toyota Supplier of the Year for Driving Tech-Enabled Transformation in Automotive Industry
May 22, 2024 Los Angeles, CA – Directed Action Inc. (DAI), a management consulting firm specializing in business strategy and transformation, has been honored with the prestigious Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) Supplier of the Year Award for its exceptional contributions to innovation, quality, and leadership of key organizational transformations. The annual awards program celebrates…
Driving Transformation: 5 Ways Leaders Successfully Manage M &A
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can be tumultuous waters for any organization to navigate. The complexities of combining two separate entities, aligning cultures, and ensuring operational continuity are challenges that require adept leadership. Successful leaders understand that M&A activities are not just about financial transactions; they are about managing people, processes, and strategies effectively. From the…
Tools for Transformation: The Power of Non Verbal Communication
Lyft and ASL When I was in Texas recently, I took a Lyft from the Toyota offices back to my hotel. When the app confirmed my driver, it sent me a notification that my driver was a deaf person and directed me to this link of helpful ASL phrases. This was a small moment in…
Engaging Your Employee’s for Today’s Challenges
Toyota Transformation When Toyota North America launched a strategic objective, “One Toyota” to create more unified operations in North America, they hired Directed Action, Inc. (DAI) to guide the transformation. The project brought together their quality engineering, sales, marketing, financial services, and corporate functions into one single new headquarters location in Plano, TX. TEMA merged…