How to Destroy a Bank
Not long ago it was one of the most respected banks in America. It had demonstrated years of consistently strong earnings and housed an enviable list of clients.
Leonard Bernstein, Davos, and Banks
Banks need to be careful when they consider promoting a particular special interest group or political position. As Tom Peters and Bob Waterman wrote in the 80’s…
Some Not So Random Thoughts… Continued
Misprojections. What causes so many predictions and expected results to turn out to be way off the mark? Is it a failure to do any basic scenario planning?
Some Not So Random Thoughts for the New Year
The new, new thing. Business people, bankers included, love to chase the shiny new toy. Right now, that’s AI. During my career, there have probably been 20+ of these shiny new toys. And there exists a plethora of…
Who Regulates the Regulators?
I’ve seldom seen bankers more concerned and, yes, nervous, than when the regulators come to visit. Oftentimes it seems that banks are managing more to the regulator’s requirements with the customer taking…
Too Many Generals?
Last time I highlighted Citicorp’s announcement that, once again, it is undergoing a cost reduction event, this time with the help of BCG. It seems to involve taking out layers of management and changing spans of control.
The Best Consulting Experience I’ve Had in Years
I was just reading about Citicorp’s latest cost reduction effort. CNBC reports that this initiative, named “Project Bora Bora…has employees on edge.” That’s not a surprise. Based upon management and consultant…
Why Should I Work for You?
I know, I’ve reached a new level of conceit previously unknown even to me. But humor aside,I’m serious. Two weeks ago, this newsletter focused on how some big consulting firms view their clients. Some operate…
The Rationale for Using Consultants
Post a career in commercial banking and workouts (not for loans I made), the decades I’ve spent as a consultant point to the value consultants can provide…sometimes. The successful use of consultants requires…
“How to Manage the Snake-Oil Salesman”
The above title serves as the sub-heading of a recent Economist article titled, “A retiring consultant’s advice on consultants.” The concept of the column is simple: a soon-to-retire consultant offers advice to…