Notes on Noble Business

In the spirit of full disclosure, I neither work for Wal-Mart nor have invested in its stock. However, yesterday morning I attended a presentation at the World Affairs Council of Maine by Richard Coyle, Director of Wal-Mart’s International Corporate Affairs, which gave me reason to reflect on the question posed above. (more…)

Underlying all the challenges that business owners and CEOs face is the basic question of how do you turn your company into the industry leader? (Or, if it’s already there, how do you keep it there?) For if you can make your company the best in the business, then you will enjoy sustainable growth and high profitability. (more…)

I recently attended an awards dinner at a hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York City for my nephew, Curry Ford. This was a gala affair with men in tuxedos and women dressed to the hilt. (more…)

About a year ago, the Olin Business School of Washington University in St. Louis invited two colleagues (builders of Noble Enterprises themselves) and me to design and lead a seminar on The Noble Enterprise for their executive development program. (more…)

In shaping a new business model, I came smack up against some very ingrained beliefs about the underlying economics of the business firm. Ones that, upon closer scrutiny, just didn’t ring true, and certainly didn’t seem to help executives manage the firm effectively. (more…)