Decisions, Decisions!

Have you ever wrestled with a big decision at work? Important decisions can have real consequences – for the company, for its people, and for the people who make them. Brilliant decisions have the potential to put the company on a new, perhaps previously unimagined trajectory. Poor decisions, on the other hand, can prove ruinous for the firm, its people, and the careers of those in charge.

As just a few examples, consider these brilliant decisions:

1. Apple’s introduction of the iPhone.?Apple revolutionized the smartphone industry in 2007 and propelled itself to unprecedented levels of success. The iPhone combined multiple functions into a single device, offering a seamless user experience and setting new standards for innovation in technology. Imagine that the conventional wisdom was once that no one would want a camera in their phone!

2. Amazon’s investment in Amazon Web Services (AWS). Amazon’s decision to invest in its cloud computing platform has been instrumental in sending its revenue and profit soaring. It was a radical shift for an online seller of books (and lot of other stuff), and AWS is now a market leader with $80 billion(!!) in cloud services revenue, providing scalable infrastructure and computing resources to businesses around the world.

3. Netflix’s shift to streaming.?Netflix recognized the growing trend toward streaming media and made the decision to shift its focus from DVD rentals. The decision led to an exponential growth in subscribers, established Netflix as a dominant player in the entertainment industry, and ushered in the era of “peak TV.” Binging has never felt so good.

And perhaps a few bad ones:

1. Blockbuster’s rejection of streaming.Contrary to Netflix, Blockbuster famously declined opportunities to invest in streaming technology, thinking it a passing fad. Been to a Blockbuster recently? Probably not, unless you live in Bend, Oregon – the site of the “last” Blockbuster. The company itself filed for bankruptcy years ago.

2. Nokia’s delay in embracing smartphones. Nokia was once the dominant player in cell phones. However, their failure to recognize smartphones as the future led to a significant loss of market share and ultimate sale of their mobile phone division to Microsoft. And the company hasn’t been the same since.

And for nostalgia’s sake…

3. Coca Cola’s introduction of New Coke.Yes, this one goes back to 1985, but if you’re old enough, you remember it, and you’ve probably otherwise at least heard about it. Coke’s new formula – meant to enable them to better compete with a surging Pepsi – was met with widespread backlash, the re-introduction of Coca-Cola Classic, and the quiet killing off of New Coke.

While few of us will likely be faced with making decisions quite as big as these, it’s helpful to have a set of questions against which to evaluate the business decisions we do make, so that we’re?not just “winging it”, “going on gut,” or (worst of all) making no decision entirely. To help you,?we’ve created a list of 20 questions that you can ask to guide yourself when contemplating a big decision. Check them out on the?PathWise Member Site?under?Career Content,?From PathWise, Tools and Templates.

If you’re not a member, basic membership is?FREE, so why not?sign up?today? Our Member Site has a ton of great content to help you in your day-to-day work and in your career management.

NEW ONLINE PROGRAM ON JOB AND CAREER CHANGE!

Almost all of embark on a job or career change at some point in our professional lives. But many of us jump headlong into a job search without taking time to reflect on what we want to do next or to prepare ourselves to put our best foot forward.

PathWise’s “Changing Course” program will help you find a great new role that will leave you feeling happy and fulfilled. Based on years of coaching experience, we’ll help you take a well-structured approach designed to help you get clear on what you’re seeking, sharpen your pitch, execute a precision search, and make a strong start in your new role or career.

For more info, check out our?website!

RECENT AND UPCOMING PODCASTS

February 19, Four L.E.A.F Growth: Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Fulfillment, with Mark Mears.?Mark spent a 30+ year career serving in a variety of executive marketing and leadership positions – spanning both creative agencies and corporates – working for or with brands such as PepsiCo/Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Frito-Lay, JCPenney, NBC/Universal and The Cheesecake Factory, among many others. His 4 LEAF Growth framework forms the basis of a book he has written called?The Purposeful Growth Revolution: 4 Ways to Grow from Leader to Legacy Builder,?which we’ll cover in our discussion.

February 26, The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking, with Michael Watkins.?Michael is perhaps best known for his book,?The First 90 Days, which is one of the best-selling business books of all time. He continues to write, teach (at IMD in Switzerland), and consult, and he has recently published a new book on strategic thinking. We’ll discuss his new book and his classic in this episode.

As always, our “Career Sessions, Career Lessons” podcasts are available on all the major podcast platforms, with video versions on PathWise’s YouTube channel.

Subscribe to our podcast.

?RECENT AND UPCOMING MEMBERS-ONLY CONTENT

Career Themes of the Week

February 19 – Energy.?Multiple books and many articles have been written about the idea of managing your energy, not your time. We’ll dive into that concept – introducing the different types of energy (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) and suggesting some shifts you can make to increase your own energy and your team’s.

February 26 – Job Searches.?Almost all of us are in “job search” mode at various points in our professional lives. This week, we’ll focus on the elements of a good job search, as a complement to our new online program, "Changing Course: A Guided Approach for Navigating a Job or Career Change."

Coaches’ Corner

February 28 –?Having Difficult Conversations, by PathWise coach Heather Wilkerson.?Heather Wilkerson?proposes a new perspective on this topic based on conflict resolution research. Heather will unpack the usual tools that help you know what to do/say and pivot to a more of a learning-oriented, relationship-focused, and problem-solving approach.?She'll discuss how learning more about ourselves and the other person offers a path to clarity and ideas for ameliorating the problem and perhaps even a stronger relationship.

Not yet a PathWise member? Basic membership is free and gives you access to a wealth of content on careers, leadership and personal development. So what are you waiting for??Join today.