Industrial sector

Most companies mistakenly take a one-size-fits-all approach to prices.

When Ben Franklin wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac and the words, “A little neglect may breed great mischief,” he did not have price fixing in mind. To the 47 executives in companies in the folding-box industry convicted of price fixing, however, the words seem tailored to fit. In those companies convicted under antitrust laws in 1976, […]

Lessons from NASA and Ford.

A study indicates four factors which individually and in combination greatly affect salesperson motivation: the nature of the task; the personality, particularly...

Hardware startups are easier to launch than ever.

Six ways to get started.

Drivers can't have too much or too little faith in self-driving cars.

The construction industry could boost productivity by 50% to 60%.

Good leaders make their motives clear and communicate them well.

The travel industry is particularly bad when it comes to keeping customers informed.

Why shouldn't engineers study success? Because failures tell you so much more, civil engineering professor Henry Petroski contends.

Powerful brands have distinct personalities: Duracell’s batteries last a long time. Volvos are safe in a crash. But even dominant brands can fade if they fall prey to multiple personality disorder. Consider General Motors. What’s the difference between a Chevrolet, a Pontiac, and a Buick? The company has recently woken up to the problem; last […]

A couple of years ago, I coauthored with Rob Lachenauer an article called “Hardball: Five Killer Strategies for Trouncing the Competition.” The piece, along with a subsequent book, was misunderstood by many people. Critics said that hardball meant playing dirty or mean, neither of which is true. What is true is that hardball—let’s face it, […]

A study explored the link between safety and profitability.

A factory manager considers whether to accept or resist union demands.

Research shows that class projects and internships reinforce a masculine culture.

Legal liability is the price you pay for strategic dominance.

An eight-step process to help companies learn to cope creatively with large and complex selling tasks—and have lasting results.

An investment a decade ago could have reduced the devastation.

We spend a disproportionate share of our money on housing, health care, and education.