Strategy Seekers Gifts

'We might work harder on a plan if someone we know wouldn't second guess it to death.'

'How's World War 3 coming along, Timpson?'

"Then, unfortunately, our market launch ran into a brick wall."

"Looks like we found the issue."

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?'

"Stock options for your thoughts."

A fight in the Boardroom.

"'Quid pro quo' is a no-no, Bradbury. Around here we say 'reciprocal altruism'."

How leaders fail

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

'Ah, Galagher, we made good use of your proposal.'

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

"...but the big question is, does the competition know that we don't know what we don't know?"

"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

'I want you to paddle against the current.'

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

After a day long meeting, the decision, as usual, is made in the hallway.

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

"Serendipity is not a strategy."

"He's his own worst enemy."

Our Two Parties, Explained

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

'Our problem is how to lower quality while raising prices...'

"Peterson proposes we move out of the mountains."

'And finally, there is the universal solution.'

Target your customer.

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

"Weather like this plagued my retreat from Moscow."

'What are we, wimps? Are we gonna let a bunch of rabbits push us all over the field? Come on, big guys.'

"Now I'll demonstrate how, with a minimum of capital investment, you can make a mountain out of a molehill!"

'What kind of a mission statement is that?'

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

'We took the old plan, folded in half, and now it's the new plan.'

Jack and Ina build their dream house.