Lessons Learned and Taught with Accounting Students Last year I spoke to a class of accounting students at NC State. While there, I took this picture with the statue of Jim Valvano, the iconic basketball coach whose career culminated at NC State. I wrote this on LinkedIn after the experience: “In the spirit of great…
Innovative Ways of Giving: Grassroots Responses to the LA Wildfires
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have once again demonstrated the resilience and compassion of communities coming together in times of crisis. While the flames tore through neighborhoods and threatened lives, the stories emerging from these disasters are about loss, certainly. They’re also about ingenuity, solidarity, and the innovative ways people are stepping up to…
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…
The Scariest Digital Transformation Fails: Lessons Learned
Digital transformation promises to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and propel businesses into a tech-driven future. Yet, when poorly managed, it can lead to massive failures, leaving companies scrambling to recover. These failures offer critical lessons on the importance of thorough planning, strategic leadership, and a robust risk mitigation framework. In our post at the beginning…
Business Process Transformation: A Roadmap to Efficiency and Growth
In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, organizations must continuously adapt to stay competitive. Business process transformation (BPT) is a strategic approach that enables companies to overhaul inefficient processes and integrate new technologies, fostering growth and innovation. Successful transformation involves a structured, collaborative approach, ensuring that changes are not only implemented but fully embraced across all…
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…