Quote: Most companies ignore their markets – and they will struggle to survive.  Some companies listen to their markets – and they have an opportunity to succeed.  You have the opportunity to understand your market, and transform it into your market – but you can’t get there just by listening.

Quote: When a new CIO steps into office he is given three envelopes in the event he runs into trouble. Inside the 1st envelope a note reads “play it safe”. If that doesn’t work than he opens the 2nd envelope which reads “blame the business unit”.  If neither works than he opens up the 3rd envelope which reads “prepare 3 envelopes”.

Quote: Managers and employees spend much of their time in discussions, but too often conversations bog down in an endless series of unproductive meetings in which the usual suspects cover the same ground without making progress. Frustration mounts as participants “spin their wheels” or “talk in circles.” This frustration often occurs when managers lead the wrong kinds of discussions at the wrong time in the wrong way.