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INTRODUCTION
Innovation: Easier Said Than Done
Critical to our practice at KeyStone Search is the work we do in assisting our clients to identify and
assess the "core values" driving their culture. The process we use for this helps us attain the critical information we need
to better match executive candidates with our clients. Along the way, we uncover information about the business drivers for the
organization, and hopefully help clarify for them which growth strategies will come naturally (those that coincide with their true core
values) and what strategies will have to be more intentionally managed and nurtured.
We find that Innovation is something most organizations either believe, or wish, to be "core" to their culture.
Most senior execs understand how critical this is to their long term viability as a company. Of course, in most situations, we find
that innovation isn't truly core and therefore, doesn't come naturally to the organization. In these cases it usually moves from
the realm of core values into the category of "deliberate growth strategy". Although this may feel like merely semantics, it is
significant because it makes clear the fact that to be innovative, the organizational leaders will have to be very deliberate, building
systems to support and enhance that innovation. All of this adds up to some very hard work, but hopefully with the desired results:
Sustained, long term growth.
The articles for this e-zine all focus around Innovation; How to build it, how to keep it, and some practical examples
of how other organizations have done it. We found them very interesting and thought provoking, hopefully you do too.
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Do you have an idea for an article? KeyStone Search is interested in your topic suggestions or
completed articles for future issues.
Click Here
to submit your idea to us.
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BEST FROM AROUND THE WEB
A Focus on Innovation
Multiple articles regarding "Innovation," and creating more innovative cultures hit our radar the last few months. What
we felt were the best are below, starting with a general article regarding innovation followed by a couple of other case study articles.
How to Turbocharge Your Corporate Culture
by Harvey Schachter
From the Globe and Mail, May 2006
Harvey Schachter is a management consultant from Ontario Canada; in this article he outlines some of the common barriers to innovation
in coporate cultures and describes how to overcome them.
READ THE ARTICLE
The Master Builders of RJA
by Elizabeth Wine
From OWS Magazine, May 2006
This article delves into the culture change that has been happening over the last 4 years at Raymond James Financial. This change has
been spearheaded by a new COO named Chet Helck. Helck has worked to change the culture by borrowing best practices from other parts of
the company and using them in the broker community. The outcome has been to basically "get out of the way" and let the brokers do their
job and the results have been stunning.
READ THE ARTICLE
Creativity Overflowing
Author Unlisted
Businessweek Online, May 8, 2006
An interesting follow up to the previous article regarding innovation. Whirlpool has created a much more creative and innovative culture,
one that accepts and acts on new ideas, rather than squelching them. The article does a good job of outlining the actual "on the ground"
tactics to create this kind of change.
READ THE ARTICLE
JetBlue Telling Tales
by Stephen Ellis
The Motley Fool, July 9, 2006
This is a quick read, not so much about creating innovation, but an example of what one particularly innovative company is doing in terms
of marketing themselves. JetBlue is basically trying to capitalize on the innovative nature of their organization and their culture
and point out how different they really are from the competition.
READ THE ARTICLE
JUST FOR FUN
A comment on the Medicare System?
For the Busy Executive - The World's Shortest Books
- Al Gore: The Wild Years
- America's Most Popular Lawyers
- Dr. Kevorkian's Collection of Motivational Speeches
- The Engineer's Guide to Fashion
- French Hospitality
- "Scruples" by Jeffrey Skilling (including forward by Bernard J. Ebbers)
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KEYSTONE NEWS
Addition of Rebecca Yanisch to the KeyStone Team
KeyStone Search is proud to announce the addition of Rebecca Yanisch to the KeyStone Team as Principal/Partner. Ms. Yanisch brings over 25
years of senior leadership experience to KeyStone Search. Rebecca’s experience spans both the public and private sectors, having served as
MN Commissioner of Trade and Economic Development, Executive Director of Minneapolis Community Development Agency and owning a public finance
consulting firm. The last three years of Rebecca’s career have been focused in executive search, completing senior level assignments in
Healthcare, Non-Profit and Services sectors.
Rebecca is a member of the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable, The Economic Development Association of MN and the
International Women's Forum. She currently sits on the boards of the MN Women’s Campaign Fund, The Jeremiah Program and Artspace Projects.
Rebecca holds a bachelors degree in Finance from the University of North Dakota and an MBA from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School
of Management.
On Boarding Services
KeyStone Search is extremely excited to be embarking upon a partnership with the prominent Minnesota Leadership Development firm, The
Prouty Project. The Prouty Project will provide coaching services to executives newly placed by KeyStone Search, during the executive's first
90 days of employment with their new organization.
Studies indicate that the first 90 days for any new executive are extremely critical, as key relationships are formed and
expectations are set on both sides. The on-boarding coaching is designed to assist the new executive in managing the transition to the new
culture, the formation of new relationships, lines of communication and to generally ensure things are getting off on the right foot.
KeyStone will not be passing on any expenses to our clients for this service; it will be wrapped into our existing fee
structure. It is our belief that this program is a logical fit to our practice and the rigor we place around cultural fit and its positive
impact on an organization.
RECENT/CURRENT SEARCHES
Recently Completed Searches Include:
President - Online Media/Content Company
V.P. of Sales - Food Production - Northern MN
V.P. of Sales Marketing - Manufacturing
Current Searches Include:
General Manager - Central Texas
President - Distribution Company - St. Cloud, MN
Senior Director of Clinical Quality - Minneapolis
General Manager - Manitoba, Canada
V.P. of Human Resources - Food Production - Minneapolis Suburbs
Director of Human Resources - Food Manufacturing - St. Paul
Director of IT Operations - Technology Startup - Minneapolis
Program Director - Healthcare - St. Paul
KeyStone in the News
KeyStone Search is pleased to announce that The National Association of Women's Business Owners (NAWBO MN) awarded it's annual Luminary
Award to Marcia Ballinger, Principal. The Luminary Award is granted to a business owner who shows great commitment to her community,
sharing time and talent, as well as pro-bono work and monetary support. Marcia is involved in such worthy causes as MN Red Cross,
Milkweed Editions, MN HR Executive Forum, United Way Women's Leadership Council and the Capella University Alumni Association.
Visit us at www.keystonesearch.com
"A Full Service Executive Search Firm with a Unique Emphasis on Coporate Culture"
612.375.8900
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