Strategy

When it comes to the most popular pieces of the year, in 2019 Darden Ideas to Action readers cared about teamwork, self-awareness, strategy, leadership and navigating innovation in evolving industries. Here’s a rundown of what Ideas to Action readers read the most in 2019 and what it was all about.

Football is typically a major source of revenue for university athletics departments — so when game attendance shrinks, money’s left on the table. In this case in point, Professors Sean Martin and Jim Detert discuss ideas UVA explored to energize the fan base, as well as tenets of any strategic turnaround.

Successful execution of a company’s strategy depends on four elements. Two of them are detailed here: architecture — the design of the organization — and agility in a landscape of change. Drawing from their recently published book, Scott Snell and Ken Carrig offer steps to excel at each and critical questions for leaders to ask.

Digital technologies are redefining business landscape, disrupting markets and industries. Darden Professor Michael Lenox offers insights on how large incumbent firms can tackle the challenges of digital transformation.

The 4A model of strategic execution is a system of interrelated, interdependent factors. Two of the four factors: alignment with core strategy and the ability to nurture talent to ensure future success. Drawing from their forthcoming book, Scott Snell and Ken Carrig offer steps to excel at each and critical questions for leaders to ask.

Famous for producing pork products, Smithfield Foods had a history of aggressive growth. But when that growth stalled for a matter of years, it was time to consider acquisition by ShuangHui International. This case in point discusses the pros and cons and strategic considerations that went into the international deal.

Most new ideas never evolve into profitable innovations. Darden Professor Raul Chao spells out an iterative process for increasing the odds of market success and shares insights on avoiding three all-too-common pitfalls.

Strategy is important, but it’s execution that makes or breaks a company’s goals. It’s also one of the greatest challenges faced by CEOs and top management teams. Based on information collected across industries, the 4A framework can help businesses establish a playbook for practical, successful execution.

In an age in which the public is actively invested in the values of a company and reputations can change abruptly, corporate responsibility is both a moral and business imperative. Here, Darden experts offer insights on corporate social responsibility and the evolving relationship of business and society.