Robert Burgelman - Strategic Dissonance and Resource Allocation
In this episode of The Innovation Show, host Aidan McCullen is joined by Stanford’s Robert Burgelman, one of the foremost thinkers in strategy and organizational evolution. Together, they explore the idea of strategic dissonance—when a company’s day-to-day decisions conflict with its overarching strategy. Drawing from his research at Intel, Burgelman unpacks how induced and autonomous strategyinteract in complex organizations and how leaders like Andy Grove navigated high-stakes inflection points. We cover: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:42 Recap of Intel's History and Strategy 02:15 Intel's Early Innovations and Challenges 07:20 The Rise of Microprocessors 09:19 Strategic Shifts and Market Dynamics 14:36 Intel's Strategic Inflection Points 17:26 Internal and External Ecological Systems 24:55 Missed Opportunities and Strategic Inertia 30:23 Analyzing Strategy Models 37:06 Innovative Gel Product Failure 38:49 Forces in R&D and Management 39:30 Resource Allocation and Product Championing 40:50 Strategic Forcing and Market Growth 42:09 Challenges in New Business Development 44:05 Organizational Championing and Strategy 49:36 Cognitive and Political Dynamics 52:39 Navigating Corporate Innovation 01:00:28 Evolutionary Perspective on Strategy 01:01:47 Prospector, Defender, Analyzer, Reactor 01:06:28 Conclusion and Future Discussions
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1:07:43
Robert Burgelman on Strategy Making Intel and Resource Allocation
In this episode of the 'Hours of Bower' series, sponsored by Kyndryl, we delve into Chapter 3 of 'From Resource Allocation to Strategy' with Professor Robert Burgelman. The discussion centers around a revolutionary view of corporate strategy using Intel Corporation’s transformation over several decades. Professor Burgelman reframes strategy as an emergent and evolving organizational capability, influenced by Intel’s shift from focusing on DRAMs to microprocessors. Key topics include the intricate relationship between top-down planning and emergent strategies, the role of internal and external selection environments, and the concept of strategic dissonance explained through examples from Intel’s history. Join host Aidan and Professor Burgelman as they explore how strategic leadership and innovation can coalesce to drive corporate success in a competitive business landscape. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:30 Overview of Today's Episode 01:50 Guest Introduction: Professor Robert Burgelman 02:21 Early Career and Influences 04:07 Collaboration with Joe Bower 07:11 Intel's Strategic Shift 09:27 Andy Grove and Strategic Dissonance 19:35 Framework for Strategic Leadership 33:32 The Importance of Aligning Actions with Strategy 34:25 Intel's Strategic Shifts and Missed Opportunities 35:35 The Dangers of Dominance in an Industry 37:47 Disruptive Innovation and Strategic Inertia 51:04 Balancing Induced and Autonomous Strategy Processes 52:51 Organizational Ecology and Internal Selection 59:22 HP's Strategic Evolution and Corporate Splits 01:04:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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1:05:01
Clark Gilbert - From Resource Allocation To Strategy
In this episode, long time friend of the show, Clark Gilbert joins us to discuss his book 'Anomaly Seeking Research, 30 Years of Development in Resource Allocation Theory,' co-authored with Clayton Christensen and others. Gilbert elaborates on key themes from the book, including Joe Bower's groundbreaking 1970 resource allocation model, and how this framework has shaped decades of strategic management research. He provides valuable insights into the iterative and multi-level nature of resource allocation processes and how they influence organizational strategy. Real-world examples from various industries, including media and academia, are used to illustrate core concepts. The episode also explores the impact of customer dependency and non-consumption on resource allocation and strategy formation. Sponsored by Kyndryl, this episode offers a deep dive into how innovative strategies are developed and executed across different sectors. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:34 Purpose of the Book and Key Insights 01:59 Clark Gilbert's Journey and Joe Bower's Influence 03:21 Resource Allocation Theory in Practice 08:19 Anomalies and Theoretical Insights 09:46 Real-World Applications and Case Studies 18:33 Personal Reflections and Broader Implications 29:04 BYU Pathway and Dual Transformation 31:38 Gary Hamel's Insight on Resource Allocation 32:10 Challenges in Media Transformation 32:38 Digital vs. Analog Dilemma 33:15 Resource Allocation in Practice 36:23 Sales Team Resistance to Digital 38:39 Disruptive vs. Sustaining Innovations 42:24 The Role of Resource Allocation in Strategy 54:42 Non-Consumption and New Markets 58:03 Empathy and Organizational Change 59:15 Conclusion and Acknowledgements Previous Episode with Clark Gilbert: https://theinnovationshow.io/episode/clark-g-gilbert-on-dual-transformation/
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1:00:25
Joseph L. Bower on Resource Allocation and Strategy
Joseph L. Bower on Resource Allocation and Strategy "Where you stand depends on where you sit." In this exclusive episode of The Innovation Show, Harvard legend Joseph L. Bower shares the untold story behind his groundbreaking work on Resource Allocation to Strategy — a theory that has shaped generations of business leaders, strategists, and scholars. Bower reveals: How real strategy emerges through the decisions of middle managers Why structure drives strategy more than PowerPoint slides do What we can learn from Lou Hughes at Opel, and the power of acting before HQ gives permission Insights into companies like GM, Timken, and even Tesla This is a masterclass in how strategy really works — not in theory, but on the ground. Revisit the origins of strategic thought that still matter today. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Announcement 00:42 Introducing the Guest: Joseph L. Bower 03:16 The Origins of Resource Allocation Theory 05:30 Insights from the Field: Case Studies and Key Learnings 17:26 The Role of Empathy and Perspective in Management 20:57 Case Study: Opel's Strategic Response to the Berlin Wall 35:38 Case Study: Timken's Bottom-Up Acquisition 38:04 The Importance of Learning and Adaptation in Strategy 52:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 53:25 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Acknowledgment Thanks to our sponsor Kyndryl: https://www.kyndryl.com/us/en
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53:53
Gary Hamel - Strategic Intent
The Power of Strategic Intent: Insights with Gary Hamel | Aidan McCullen In this episode, Aidan McCullen and Gary Hamel dive into the key principles of strategic intent and how companies can maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market. They explore concepts like building layers of advantage, searching for vulnerabilities in competitors, and the importance of continuous learning and innovation. Using examples from the Japanese auto industry to modern companies like Komatsu and Roche, Hamel explains how ambitious strategy is vital for long-term success. This discussion is rooted in Hamel's acclaimed article 'Strategic Intent,' co-authored with CK Prahalad, offering timeless lessons for business leaders. 00:00 Introduction to Competitive Strategy 01:16 The Importance of Strategic Intent 05:14 Challenges in Modern Business Thinking 09:09 The Role of Ambition in Strategy 19:00 Case Studies: Komatsu and Beyond 25:39 The Need for Organizational Resilience 28:18 Komatsu vs. Caterpillar: Strategic Responses 28:52 Timeframes in Strategy: Short, Medium, and Long Term 29:25 The Importance of Ambitious Goals 30:56 Learning and Flexibility in Organizations 32:25 Strategic Intent vs. Strategic Planning 34:51 Challenges and Feasibility in Strategic Goals 36:41 The Role of Strategic Intent in Leadership 45:53 Building Competitive Advantage Through Skills 48:59 Global Competitors and Layers of Advantage 52:53 Final Thoughts and Recommendations The 1989 Article: https://hbr.org/1989/05/strategic-intent-2 The Small Book: https://amzn.to/4kMiDo4
A Global weekly show interviewing authors to inspire, educate and inform the business world and the curious. Presented by the author of "Undisruptable", this Global show speaks of something greater beyond innovation, disruption and technology. It speaks to the human need to learn: how to adapt to and love a changing world. It embraces the spirit of constant change, of staying receptive, of always learning.
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