The Chocolate Conversation: Lead Bittersweet Change; Transform Your Business

Addicted to Relevance

Growth, scale, and productivity have always been at the front of leaders’ minds. Traditionally, corporate leaders look for new ways to grow and take advantage of their scale. As we discussed in the previous chapter, if companies aren’t growing fast enough on their own, leaders will look to a merger or an acquisition to expedite growth. Many of these companies will take significant productivity measures to maintain profitability. This means cutbacks and reductions in force, commonly known as RIFs.

The big question—the one that should be keeping CEOs up at night, but which is seldom asked—is “Are we relevant?” Do customers ...