RGBA

Executive Perspectives

The Fall 2001 e-Newsletter of R. Gaines Baty Associates, Inc.

In This Issue

The prevailing sentiment of these turbulent times is “uncertainty.”  Several major questions arise:  

Ø     How should we change the way we do business… is a paradigm shift in order?  Will new markets emerge in these new times? 

Ø     Is conservatism the key to making our firms less vulnerable?  Bill Rutherford once said, “Few companies ever shrink to greatness.”   What can we do to be more competitive AND more efficient?

Ø     Is now a time to bet on the future by upgrading management teams and staff, taking advantage of a less competitive demand for talent in today’s market?

Ø     How will the recently popular “global” approaches to (offshore) manufacturing and supply chain management change?  And how should we respond?

Ø     How will the new fear of terrorism affect travel intensive industries (i.e. Consulting), relative to attracting and retaining talent?  Will such firms revert back to the “regional” vs. “global-vertical” practice model?

Ø      With a reduced demand for IT-related consulting services, and the intensified emphasis on BD activities, what are the more prevalent sales models?

Ø      Is Information Security more important now, and how will we approach it?

Ø      What are the most important issues about managing our careers in a down-turned economy?

Ø      What can we do to turn the tide? If “a weak economy is one part real and one part perception,” can we collectively reverse the momentum…start a bullish groundswell?