Better Questions, Better Results

How Do You Find Errors in Conventional Wisdom? Spotting cracks in “common sense” before they mislead you  Conventional wisdom carries an air of authority, not because it has been proven, but because it has been repeated. From “don’t swim after eating” to “the customer is always right,” we absorb these sayings as unquestionable truths. Yet, many of them are wrong—or at least incomplete. The danger is that by blindly following conventional wisdom, we risk acting on myths instead of evidence. To find errors in conventional wisdom, you need tools of critical thinking: questioning assumptions, testing claims, and seeking out blind spots. This isn’t about being contrarian for its own sake—it’s about sharpening judgment so you can separate timeless wisdom from misguided advice. Why Conventional Wisdom Can Mislead Conventional wisdom often works like a shortcut. It saves us from overthinking, but shortcuts can send us in the wrong direction. It lingers after conditions change.  Margar...

How can I consistently stand out in a crowded professional landscape and attract the right opportunities? Be Unmistakable: Crafting Your Signature Presence in a Sea of Sameness In today’s noisy professional world, standing out isn’t about being louder—it’s about being  clearer . The question isn’t just how to get noticed, but how to attract the right kind of attention. This starts with deeply understanding what makes you valuable, then consistently communicating that value with intention. In this post, we unpack strategies to build a standout professional presence that not only draws attention but also aligns with meaningful opportunities. Understand What Makes You Different (and Valuable) The first step in attracting the right opportunities is clarifying your unique value proposition. Think of it as your professional DNA—what are the distinct strengths, perspectives, and results you bring that others can’t easily replicate? Ask yourself: What do people consistently come to me for?...

How Can You Use SWOT analysis to improve your business strategy? From Analysis to Action SWOT analysis often gets dismissed as “Strategy 101″—a basic framework that produces generic insights and dusty reports. But when wielded strategically, SWOT becomes a dynamic engine for competitive advantage. The difference lies not in the tool itself, but in how you use it to surface hidden patterns, challenge assumptions, and create actionable strategies that competitors can’t easily replicate. Beyond the Basics: What SWOT Really Reveals Traditional SWOT focuses on cataloging obvious facts. Strategic SWOT uncovers the relationships between these elements and their implications for your unique competitive position. Strengths  aren’t just what you do well—they’re capabilities that are valuable, rare, and difficult for competitors to imitate. Ask: “What can we do that others cannot easily replicate, and why does it matter to customers?” Weaknesses  aren’t just shortcomings—they’re gaps tha...

How Can You Identify and Mitigate Risks in Your Business Operations? The 90-Day Risk Radar: From Reactive Crisis to Proactive Advantage Turn business threats into competitive gold with the 90-day early warning system that Fortune 500s don’t want you to know Netflix saw Blockbuster coming. Amazon spotted retail’s digital shift. Tesla anticipated the EV wave. What did they have that their competitors missed? A risk radar that turned threats into trillion-dollar opportunities. The $2.4 Trillion Blind Spot Every year, businesses lose $2.4 trillion to “surprise” disruptions that weren’t surprises at all. The signals were there—weak at first, then screaming. The difference between companies that thrive and those that die isn’t luck. It’s radar. The brutal truth:  Your biggest competitor right now is probably tracking signals you’re completely missing. The Netflix Principle: See It Coming, Own the Future In 2007, Netflix’s Reed Hastings said something that sounded insane: “We’re going to ...