Strategic Thinking Buff Prints

'Where now in Afghanistan?'

"Is this to make me feel bad for not getting you that laptop?"

The Department of Really Stupid Ideas: 'Most people think they just appear out of thin air! But the truth is, there's a great deal of very hard work involved!'

'And were there a point to your proposal, Henderson - What would it be?'

The Businessmen Have to Make Decisions from Many Options

"Stock options for your thoughts."

'You could be a constant inspiration for us to come up with a plan to get a leg up on our competition...you're hired!'

'It has come to my attention that we need to hedge against our five-year plan.'

"Be patient. He'll have to visit the water cooler sooner or later."

"We need to reset our fiscal compass to the changing business horizon."

'You think I'm crazy; I think you're crazy...finally some common ground!'

'Asynchronous, collaborative, interactive - we're obviously on a roll.'

"We need a best practice swim lane to leverage our core competency, move the needle outside the box, and open the kimono while keeping our ducks in a row. Can anyone give me a sustainable solution to more vertical effectiveness without getting too granula

Voice coming from wooden horse: 'Quiet Fanshaw! If this hostile take-over bid is going to work we've got to get right inside the boardroom.'

'I want you to paddle against the current.'

"Is it just a scary coincidence that the words 'changes' and 'unknown' both have 7 letters?"

'Do you want to tell them their department is being downsized again, or should I?'

"Serendipity is not a strategy."

"Based on the feedback from advisers whom I haven't beheaded, all of my ideas are great."

"He's his own worst enemy."

'OK, so I fumbled. Now can you cure it or not?'

"What's wrong with swallowing up other companies?"

Alternative fielding positions

"He thought this would illustrate the company hierarchy more clearly than the organizational chart."

"I suggest we start with the low hanging fruit."

'Maybe we should sign him before the MVP award is announced.'

"Weather like this plagued my retreat from Moscow."

'Could we finish these negotiations via e-mail? That will allow me to think before I respond to your proposals.'

Jack and Ina build their dream house.

'Look, can't we just build the damn thing next to the quarry?'

'Well, I'm not very satisfied with our customers, either.'

"No, you dismantle your nuclear arsenal first."

'I want ideas so bold, so wildly innovative, so undeniably brilliant that they retain a shred of originality after everyone picks them to pieces.'