The Step Change Blog

The latest thinking on business, strategy, marketing and sales

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June 19, 2020

History’s Greatest Strategists: Dame Anita Roddick

Business Strategy, History's Greatest Strategists, Business Growth, Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop

The more specific we can be about our category, the better chance we have to be remembered and related to by our customers. Are you in the right category?

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June 12, 2020

The 4 Executive Modes: Which One Are You?

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Culture & Leadership

UPDATE: In a special event, Dr Chris Shambrook of PlanetK2 delivers a masterclass on performance– drawing inspiration from the perspective of Leader, Manager, Mentor and Coach, or what is collectively known as the Four Executive Modes. 

In this interview, the master-coach, author and speaker walks the Step Change community through how business leaders can drive more value into their interactions by moving between these modes. He also talks about the lead indicators of performance, what performance looks like regardless of the mode, and emphasises the appropriate human connection and social support required from industry leaders.

Watch the full video here.


In these times of great change and uncertainty, it is very important that we adapt and utilise the opportunities and resources at our disposal the best we can. This is especially true for industry leaders because every decision has the potential to make or break your organisation.

To begin, you will need to fully define your role as an executive within your organisation by understanding the 4 Executive Modes namely– Leader, Manager, Mentor and Coach

Clearly defining these modes will allow you to understand and seamlessly move between these roles, propelling your organisation to even greater heights.

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May 21, 2020

History’s Greatest Strategists: Che Guevara

Marketing Strategy, History's Greatest Strategists

The more specific we can be about our category, the better chance we have to be remembered and related to by our customers. Are you in the right category?

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May 14, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets

UPDATED: In this exclusive interview, foundational expert and pioneering authority in the field of influence and persuasion Dr Robert Cialdini sits down with Step Change to dive into his book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” — the bestselling and groundbreaking guide to getting that 'yes!'.

From the sustained interest in the Influence factors, and the addition of the Unity principle, to the implications of machine learning and AI in persuasion and more — learn exclusive and fresh insights from Dr Robert Cialdini himself by watching the full interview below:

 

 

Wondering how to leverage your influence at a time of great change? Get Dr Robert Cialdini’s latest book “Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion” — featuring new research, new insights, new examples, and online applications.

Never miss an update and be the first to get influence and persuasion insights by connecting with Dr Robert Cialdini via influenceatwork.com.


Swaying someone to your point of view takes skill. The same can be said when it comes to selling a product — making the power of persuasion a potent tool that should be honed to a fine point.

In this week’s Knowledge Nuggets, let us take a look at the widely adopted classic Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. 

With over 5 million copies sold worldwide, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini explains the psychology of why people say ‘yes’, the principles behind the power of persuasion, and how to apply these principles ethically — not only in marketing strategy but in everyday situations.

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May 12, 2020

History’s Greatest Strategists: Bill Gates

Marketing Strategy, History's Greatest Strategists

The more specific we can be about our category, the better chance we have to be remembered and related to by our customers. Are you in the right category?

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May 8, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets: Delivering Happiness

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets

According to Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, the key to running a successful business is happiness. By developing happiness habits, embracing a happy work-life, and prioritising your customer's happiness, Tony believes businesses can succeed. For this week’s Knowledge Nuggets, let’s explore the book Delivering Happiness and learn to live lives full of purpose, passion, and profits. 

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May 7, 2020

History’s Greatest Strategists: Sun Tzu

Marketing Strategy, History's Greatest Strategists

The more specific we can be about our category, the better chance we have to be remembered and related to by our customers. Are you in the right category?

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April 30, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets: Good Strategy/Bad Strategy

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets

Before attempting any significant endeavour, you should always have a strategy. Having developed one you should always ensure that is achievable. There has been a myriad of companies that have implemented strategies that have turned out to be less than successful. The fact is that many companies are unaware that they are implementing bad strategies.

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April 23, 2020

History’s Greatest Strategists: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Marketing Strategy, History's Greatest Strategists

The more specific we can be about our category, the better chance we have to be remembered and related to by our customers. Are you in the right category?

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April 22, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets: Thinking, Fast and Slow

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets

 

Thinking Fast and Slow

 

Have you ever wondered how your mind works? Have you ever desired to improve your judgement and decision making skills? In this week’s Knowledge Nugget, let’s delve into Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.

The author Daniel Kahneman is a renowned psychologist and Nobel Prize Winner. And in his seminal work, Thinking Fast and Slow, he analyses the two modes of thought and how they affect our judgement and decision making. 

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April 17, 2020

History’s Greatest Strategists: Admiral Horatio Nelson

Marketing Strategy, History's Greatest Strategists

The more specific we can be about our category, the better chance we have to be remembered and related to by our customers. Are you in the right category?

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April 15, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets: The 4 Disciplines of Execution

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets, Sean Covey, Execution, Disciplines

UPDATED as of 28 August 2020

The 4 Disciplines of Execution

 

Plans and strategies may change. Behaviours, however, not so much. At least, not as quickly. It is important to understand that good execution is not only a condition of knowledge and skill, but it is also a condition of the will. 

How do you, as an organisation, move forward as a team when goals are already challenging enough on your own? The key lies in two words— first principles.

 

 

In this special interview, the 4 Disciplines of Execution co-author Sean Covey expertly delivers insights and anecdotes on:

  • The 4 Disciplines in a nutshell
  • How purpose and discipline affect your execution
  • Sustaining your Wildly Important Goal even in the midst of chaos
  • What successful organisations are doing right and what others are getting wrong
Watch the full interview now.

Too often history shows that a good strategy fails to deliver a productive outcome in terms of the bottomline. Strategy and execution are in a word— inseparable. They are the two sides of the same coin. In order to successfully execute on your goals, you need focus.

One thing you already know about acting on a great idea is the fact that chaos will be involved. It is very easy to lose focus when you have to wade through a quagmire of priorities and goals daily. As teams lose focus, they eventually lose power, which is why you need a game plan.

In this week's Knowledge Nuggets, let us take a look at the 4 Disciplines of Execution by authors Chris McChesney, Sean Covey and Jim Huling, who address the issue of what constitutes the disciplines of excellence in execution of strategy.

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April 9, 2020

Experience Disruptors

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Customer Centricity

When it comes to running a business, it is important that you stand above the competition. And in the dog-eat-dog business world it is no longer enough to just offer great products. It is also necessary to take your customer’s comfort into account. 

What’s the use of having the best tech and services if your customers can’t get a hold of your product in the most efficient way possible? Or if they do get the product, it becomes a struggle to have it repaired or returned. This is where Experience Disruptors come in.

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April 7, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets: Scrum

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets, Scrum, Team Efficiency

Developing Team Efficiency

 

UPDATED: Change continues to unravel itself daily. Whether it’s premeditated like a goal you’ve been meaning to achieve or something that’s caught you by surprise such as a pandemic– the truth that change will always be with us still remains.

The choice between simply managing change and leading change, however, makes all the difference.

 

 

 

 

In a special interview, Scrum Co-author J.J. Sutherland talks about:

  • The importance of embracing change and using it for growth
  • How Scrum-oriented organisations are faring in the midst of drastic change
  • The value of happiness and connection among teams in relation to productivity
  • His new book The Scrum Fieldbook: Faster Performance. Better Results. Starting Now.  
  • Whether you are setting up a small business or running a multi-million dollar company, team efficiency is what sets you up for success.

In this week’s Knowledge Nugget, let us take a closer look at Scrum by Jeff and JJ Sutherland. 

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April 1, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets: Switch

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets

Understanding different aspects of human behaviour is crucial to every strategy. In this week’s Knowledge Nugget, we’ll take a closer look at Switch by Chip Heath & Dan Heath.

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March 23, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets: The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets

How are today's technologies and current trends shaping and changing the world we live in, and how is it impacting today's businesses?

In this week’s Knowledge Nuggets, we’re covering The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab, chairman of the World Economic Forum. 

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March 16, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets: Exponential Organizations

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets

Exponential Organisations

UPDATED: In this Special Interview, Step Change CEO Ashton Bishop picks the brain of Futurist and best-selling author of Exponential Organizations and Exponential Transformation – required reading at the world's top organizations – Salim Ismail.

Hear them discuss:

  • The characteristics of successful new business models
  • How organisations are changing in order to adapt
  • The economic shift from selling scarcity to businesses based on abundance
  • How can organisations make money in a demonetised, digitalised world
  • Innovation at the edge - the way to disrupt industry

Watch the entire interview below:


Neither size nor depth, nor scale can guarantee the continuity of businesses for tomorrow. We therefore ask the question, what can organisations do to be more future-ready? In this week’s Knowledge Nuggets, a special guest will help you better understand the premise in the book Exponential Organizations by Salim Ismail.

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March 5, 2020

Dual Transformation: The 5 Key Concepts Behind Business Transformation In Response to Disruption

Business Strategy, Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets, Dual Transformation, Mark W. Johnson

UPDATED as of 10 July 2020

In a special interview with Step Change, Dual Transformation co-author Mark W. Johnson shares valuable insight for businesses looking to reposition themselves in this new normal while creating the future ahead of them.

 

 

The business model innovation and new growth strategy expert also discusses:

  • The A+B+C model business seeking transformation and momentum should adapt
  • What successful businesses are doing right and what others are getting wrong in their transformation journey
  • The importance of having a vision and a hands-on approach to leadership

Watch the video now.


 

Disruption is imminent, and organisations must find a way to be more resilient as they step forward into growth and implement their transformation efforts.

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March 3, 2020

Knowledge Nuggets: The Startup Way

Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets

Disruption is coming. How does your business respond?

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February 21, 2020

Platform Revolution: The 4 Key Points to Consider When Creating a Platform Business

Ashton Bishop, Knowledge Nuggets, Marshall Van Alstyne, Platform Revolution

Disruption is coming. How does your business respond?

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January 23, 2020

Ecommerce Trends in 2020 and Their Marketing Implications

Marketing Strategy, Digital

Last year saw tremendous growth in Australian ecommerce and is expected to maintain an upward trend in the next few years. Are retailers still on track with their online marketing strategy for 2020?

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January 21, 2020

Is the Role of the CMO Changing?

Digital

Once upon a time, everyone turned to CMOs to become champions for the brand for advertising, brand management, and market research. But today’s emerging technologies have pushed CMOs to wear new hats and take on a more blended role across IT, sales, and finance. 

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January 20, 2020

Big Step Changes Ahead as Our Creative and Digital Divisions Merge with Our Friends at The Zoo Republic

Step Change

After almost a decade of association and working together at a project level across strategy, creative, and digital, we are solidifying our relationship with The Zoo Republic via a merger. Read on to find out more.

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January 17, 2020

What Goes On in Business Strategy and Value Proposition Intensives?

Business Strategy

Step Change works with some of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing businesses to effectively communicate business strategy and market insights from the bottom up. 

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January 10, 2020

Marketing Trends You Need to Know in 2020

Marketing Strategy, Digital

The year 2020 is an exciting year for the ever-changing landscape of marketing. As we enter into a new decade, we share four important trends marketers need to keep their eyes on.

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January 7, 2020

Top 10 Articles C-Suites Read in the Step Change Blog [2019 Edition]

Business Strategy, Step Change, Branding, Marketing Strategy, Culture & Leadership, Fintech, Marketing Automation

The new year is here! And as we venture forward with fresh business insights and useful strategy, here are the top 10 articles most popular with C-suites in 2019 that you may have missed. 

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December 26, 2019

Addressing the Synergy Problem in Procurement Teams and Marketing Agencies

Business Strategy, Marketing Strategy

Many companies today are opting for procurement to manage their marketing spend. But marketers and agencies have always been at odds when it comes to procurement. Understanding the role that procurement plays and how it impacts marketing is crucial to not only save on costs but to pave the way for better alignment in achieving the brand’s vision.

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December 20, 2019

Customer-Centricity Is the New Governance Imperative

Business Strategy, Board

Customer-centricity used to be something that the marketing department was responsible for. But in the Age of the Customer, it needs to be at the heart of the business, which then ripples right through every department — from operations to marketing, sales, management, legal, and compliance.

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December 19, 2019

How to Accelerate Your Marketing for Business Growth in 2020

Marketing Strategy, Digital

Today’s marketing strategies are constantly evolving. As we close out the last few weeks of the year, it’s important to reflect on what current marketing strategies continue to deliver the best results so you can plan for 2020 ahead with the right precision. 

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December 13, 2019

How to Turn MQLs to SQLs Faster

Digital

Acquiring 300 leads every month won’t make a big difference if none of them ends up buying from you. Going after every lead can be very costly.

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