Ideas to Ignite Growth

Catalyst Strategies seeks to be a catalyst for business growth, a spark that ignites momentum and positive change.

sparks is our Q&A series designed to fire-up ideas about growth. Each edition features interviews with respected business leaders who share their insights and expertise on a current hot topic related to business growth.

: Competitive Advantage

Winter 2009, vol. 2

In this issue, we explore the challenges of defining and maintaining a competitive advantage. We discuss the topic with three talented business leaders:

Judson B. Althoff, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Alliances & Channels at business software leader Oracle
Jamie Moldofsky, EVP Sales, Marketing, Strategy & Customer Management, Home Equity Group at consumer banking giant Wells Fargo
Brendan Reidy, Chairman and CEO at internet communications company Clarus Systems and former Venture Partner at Trident Capital

: Focus

Spring 2009, vol. 1

In this issue, we explore the value of focus and approaches to achieving it during these uncertain times. We discuss the topic with three talented business leaders:

John Clendening, EVP, Shared Strategic Services at financial services leader Charles Schwab
Jeff Stiles, SVP, SME Marketing at enterprise software leader SAP
Gina Bianchini, co-founder and CEO of Ning, a leading social networking platform

Other Thought Starters

The following are additional articles, whitepapers, and insights that we think may spark a few ideas.

“The Big Shift: Is a Normal Business Environment Gone Forever?”
Deloitte, September 2009
Success in a world of near-constant disruption requires creating and participating in knowledge flows that turn the experience curve on its side. These slides discuss these shifts and their implications.
“Digital Body Language: Deciphering Customer Intentions in an Online World”
Eloqua 2009
Can You Finally Measure Marketing Effectiveness? This eBook highlights the challenges and some solutions to definitively articulating the precise contribu¬tion marketing brings.
“Tribalization of Business: Transforming Companies with Communities and Social Media”
Deloitte, July 2009
The main goals for communities remain steady, although Deloitte sees some sharpening in defining the purposes of communities.
“Maintaining the Customer Experience”
McKinsey, December 2008
Skimping on customer service is a common and sometimes costly response to tough economic times. By managing the customer experience more rigorously, companies can maintain quality while still saving money.
“The Enterprise Sales Learning Curve”
Mark Leslie and Charles Holloway
A framework for building startups and launching new products
“The Return of the Cash Cow”
Boston Consulting Group, November 2008
For a decade or more after the famous BCG matrix was devised nearly 40 years ago, it was very helpful in thinking about investment and corporate shape. Then it fell into disuse. Now it is back.