We’ve changed our  name from Take Advantage! to Strategic Advantage! reflecting our focus on strategic approaches to solving your business problems. 

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IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Who We Are
2. Actually heard at the Office
3. AL’s Expanded Team
4. New Resources: Software Requirements Gathering
5. Catch us in public

WHO WE ARE

Advantage Leadership, Inc provides resources that help you improve your bottom line results through executing robust strategic plans, leading and managing effectively and improving business and software quality processes strategically.  We work with leaders who want to:

*  Grow your businesses and improve your bottom

    line results

*  Improve team and business process performance

*  Increase IT integration with the business and

    software quality. 

Visit our website, www.advantageleadership.com.

(All materials in this newsletter are copyrighted by

Advantage Leadership, Inc.)

ACTUALLY HEARD AT THE OFFICE

 (These true stories are from a Keynote address to the South Florida chapter of Women in Executive Leadership, preparing executives for corporate board membership.)

We don’t need no stinkin’ strategy…or do we?

These stories illustrate some of the obstacles and rewards of executing strategic plans.

Company 1, a mid-size manufacturing company, whose executive team is struggling with using its strategic plan to manage the business: 

AL: “What kind of results are you getting with your plan?”

CEO1: “Things are great.  We’re busy out in the plant.  Last week we produced more than ever before.  We’re bringing in lunch to celebrate.”

AL: “Great!  What did you do to get such high production?  How profitable are these products?  What part of your plan led to improved production?”

CEO1: (Blank stare.)  “Oh, we’re not using the plan.  The guys really worked hard.  I know things are going well if we’re busy.”

Company 2, a small manufacturer and distributor, whose executive team created a strategic plan to change the business model and grow the business for sale:

AL: “What kind of results are you getting with your plan?”

CEO2: “It’s working pretty well.  We’re breaking into new markets as we planned and no longer dependent on the big box stores that keep squeezing our margins. We’re planning more changes since we anticipate some specific shifts in our current markets.  We’re on track for the sale.”

AL: “I heard you were upset about the decline in the big box business.”

CEO2: “Not at all!  Once we did the analysis that strategic planning required, it was obvious they weren’t profitable.”

Company 3, a provider of financial services, reviews monthly results with the executive team:

CFO: “Despite the drop in interest rates, which means we’ve missed our targets, we are way ahead of our peers and competitors.”

CEO3: “I’m convinced that actually creating a strategic plan and following it is what is keeping us healthy despite the hammering banks are taking in the market place.  Since we had a plan all we had to do was adjust it.  Our competitors aren’t doing this and are thrashing around.”

   Every Executive and Board faces new unforgiving demands in the market.  Execution of a robust Strategic Plan is an important differentiating factor for successful companies.  These companies cascade accountability down to the individual contributor, converting static job descriptions into dynamic performance plans.  They respond to change with strategic action rather than react to it with shifting (thrashing) tactics.  They constantly analyze results for improvement.

   Company 1 brought in a new COO when they found out that real earnings were declining, customers were leaving and sales, productivity and morale were down.  He turned things around by revitalizing planning and execution. 

   Company 2 faced the brutal fact that the old strategy was on its last legs.  They forced themselves to change and moved steadily toward reaching new goals.

   Company 3 became more strategic and driven by the data.  Each department created a plan with individual contributors that defined concrete actions to reach company goals.  Morale (and profits) soared at a time when colleagues in other banks were loosing their jobs.

   Managing by facts based on a plan does not remove tough decisions.  Strategic planning and execution allow Executives and Boards to make those tough decisions based on the long term consequences that sustain profitability in a turbulent market.

   If strategic planning, execution and decision making are so powerful, why do many executives and board members find it so hard to do?  Although the reasons are complex, there are commonalities among successful organizations. 

*  Key Leader persists in demanding robust plans with

    measurable targets

*  Leader and executive team review monthly results

*  Team makes strategic adjustments based on the

    data

*  Leader holds firm when people want to jump to

    tactical thrashing

*  Leader insists that every employee understands his

    or her role in reaching the goals and has a plan

    to make a contribution. 

   These companies have turned themselves around with strategic leadership. 

To learn more about how you can achieve improved bottom line results for your company or IT department check out our workbook, Success Planning: a ‘how-to’ guide for strategic planning, by visiting our website at www.advantageleadership.com/book.html.

AL’S EXPANDED TEAM

Advantage Leadership, Inc. has expanded our team to serve you better and deliver greater value.  Our team members, who are experienced professionals and business owners, have excellent track records in sales effectiveness, strategic planning, Six Sigma process improvement and improving software quality.  Watch for details on our website soon.

NEW RESOURCES:

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS GATHERING

Pre-Publication Offer! 

Requirements Gathering Resource Bonanza

Special Package Price – Half Off  (Regularly $91)  

You pay only $45

www.advantageleadership.com/resources.html

   56% of all defects arise in requirements gathering when developing, maintaining or purchasing software.  Most are not discovered until much later when they’re more expensive to correct.  Use proven Best Practices to avoid costly errors and improve your efficiency and customer satisfaction.

   Advantage Leadership, Inc. publishes an e-Book and other resources later this year that teach you these Best Practices.  We previewed these resources at the Quality Assurance Institute’s International IT Software Quality & Testing Conference, May 20, 2004, with our Keynote:

 Requirements – the Ultimate Reality Show:

How to get ‘em (QA)…How to test ‘em (QC)…

How to make ‘em better (QI)

SUBSCRIBE NOW at the Pre-Publication

Investment of $45

You Get:

  ** Requirements – the Ultimate Reality Show E-Book

            Detailed guide to using proven best practices

  ** Requirements – the Ultimate Reality Show

            90 minute unedited Keynote CD

            Overview of best practices, information for management support

  ** 30 Days to better Requirements Gathering  

            Email Mini-Course - 30 day subscription

            Receive 30 practical tips in 30 days designed to

            make you successful

Subscribe at our website: www.advantageleadership.com/resources.html

Resources and Investment

when purchased separately

** Requirements – the Ultimate Reality Show

            E-Book    $ 37

** Requirements – the Ultimate Reality Show

            90 minute unedited Keynote CD    $ 17

** 30 Days to better Requirements Gathering 

            E-mail Mini-Course --

            30 day subscription     $ 37

** Success Planning: a ‘how-to’ guide for

            strategic planning    $ 27

Visit our website www.advantageleadership.com/resources.html to invest today.

Have a question for AL?  Send it to: rebecca@advantageleadership.com

CATCH US IN PUBLIC

Attend one of our public seminars on IT or quality management.  Call for the latest topics, dates and sign up information.

  **  Keynote: “Requirements – the ultimate reality show”

            Orlando, May 20, Quality Assurance Institute,

            International Conference: Order the CD,

            http://www.advantageleadership.com/resources.html

  **  Public Seminars:

           * Managing a world-class IT department, Brussels,

               June 1 – 3, Management Centre Europe

           * Leading and Developing Teams of Technical

               Professionals, June 23 – 25, Chicago

               American Management Association,

  **  Tutorials:

           * Establishing the Software QA Process

           * Improving Performance with

                International Standards

           * Two Featured presentations

                  June 14 – 17, International Conference on

                  Software Process Improvement,

                  Software Dimensions, Dulles Airport

Call us for all details 305-652-3466.

             Our team is ready to serve you. 

          Rebecca Staton-Reinstein, President
              Advantage Leadership, Inc.
           633 NE 167th Street, Suite 1015
             North Miami Beach, FL 33162
        Phone: 305-652-3466     Fax: 305-652-3866  
            rebecca@advantageleadership.com
              www.advantageleadership.com