By Stuart R. Levine Published In, The Credit Union Times The “Internet of Things” can bring remarkable benefits as well as substantial challenges to today’s ever-changing business environment. No industry will remain untouched, as physical assets are equipped with sensors to create interconnected electronic network systems that record, process and transmit information. McKinsey Global Institute […]

By Stuart R. Levine Published In, The Credit Union Times Does your organization’s culture affect its success?  You bet it does.  Culture is the set of norms and values that are widely shared and strongly held throughout the organization.  Study after study shows that culture and values matter for an organization’s success.  The University of […]

Published in, The Credit Union Times By, Stuart R. Levine A culture based on values and focused on ethical behavior protects reputation and brand.  As an individual, your name is your brand and a trusted brand provides the credibility needed to be effective in your organization.  For an organization, a trusted brand gives the credibility […]

Lately in our business, I have observed a disturbing trend. Companies are on a shorter planning cycle, and long term planning and visionary thinking is difficult to achieve. However, visionary planning informs every future decision, including hiring the right talent on both your management team and board. Too few leaders spend time talking about these […]

This past month, I spent a day engaging in thought-provoking dialogue at the Deloitte Davos Experience. The issues discussed each year at the World Economic Forum provide a context for the most important challenges of our time. I’d like to share with you a few data points on water stewardship that was the starting point […]

As we begin the new year, most CEOs and C-Suite executives are thinking about how to strengthen the leadership team and management to best execute on strategy. Some leaders may have the “gene” that inspires them to naturally keep learning about the world and how it will impact their business. But many don’t have that […]

As we go deep into the fourth quarter of this year, I’d like to reflect upon lessons learned as well as thoughts for the new year and beyond. This morning, after Thanksgiving day, I walked through my rose garden. In some strange way, there were still roses in bloom, unlike most species whose leaves and […]

As I reflect on my travels to over 20 cities in 2011, I am struck by a conversation I’d like to share with you.  Upon arriving late one evening in Las Vegas to speak at a credit union conference, I asked the cab driver “how’s business?” I heard a profoundly sad story.  His face is […]

Our firm recently facilitated the successful merger of two credit unions.  One of the fundamental issues that we focused on was the ability of the post merger team to quickly establish and maintain productive working relationships with employees and the members they serve. From the outset, it was critical to identify people-related risk factors as […]

Last week I attended a conference in New York City hosted by the National Association of Corporate Directors.  Core to this organization is the belief in education of directors who serve shareholders and other important stakeholders. Here are some directional issues that will redefine standards and behaviors and will require boards to transform their governance […]