The success of failure
I have found it difficult to get the rhythm and discipline of regularly posting. How to say something original and provide value rather than add to the volume of noise already on the web. Earlier this week I spoke to a group at RMIT studying entrepreneurship, and found the experience rewarding, and insightful. The slides from the presentation are attached. Growth – RMIT 14 September 2010 Final The insight that I have gained by sharing my experience was very powerful. Yes, I did talk about the things that worked, however the best discussion and most meaningful part of the presentation came when …
Where value lies
The value proposition for any business is defined by what value is delivered to the customer. 12 micro caps presented to a room full of investors earlier this week, and the customer proposition was clearly defined in only one of those presentations. I understand the pitch was focused on returns to investors, yet I was intrigued that only one company provided insight into the value they delivered to customers, and coincidently that company seemed most investment ready to me, a somewhat scary proposition, given that all companies are listed on the stock exchange. I don’t recall any sensitive information being …
The subtlety of trends
I recently reviewed my accounting software, and thought it time to upgrade both my process and software. As I started looking around, I became aware that the best solution for me existed in the “cloud”. I have heard of cloud computing, however my experience has been relatively limited. I explored the options around application service provider (ASP) some time ago, and found the value proposition unattractive. The ASP value proposition has been developed significantly, and the current wave of Software as a Service (SaaS) providers have established a great business model that is cost effective and a great value proposition. …
And so to the second question
– how are we assessing investment proposals? Recently I was advised that a proposal to install solar generation to replace existing power just didn’t stack up economically, and the question posed was how will renewable energies ever replace current technologies for power generation when they aren’t economical? My initial response was that the business model we are using to assess these proposals needs to be questioned. The two alternatives were assessed as if the outcomes were considered identical (i.e. a certain number of kilowatt hours of power generated for a certain cost). However the outcomes aren’t the same. Power acquired …
Current presentations
Just updating the current presentations available for you to download. If you were attending Centering on Excellence in Brisbane the presentation is here : Web version Climate_Project CPA – Centering on Excellence Brisbane 26 May 2010 If you were attending PAC in Lorne, the presentation is here: Web version Climate_Project CPA – VIC PAC Lorne 28 May 2010 If you are interested in the software offer I discussed the code is “CPA Lorne” and the link to the software is via the following URL: www.eqlomg.com/ease.html Thanks for engaging in the discussion and participating. …
Two challenges – first reporting
Thanks to the participants at CPA Centering on Excellence in Perth on 13th May for engaging in an interesting discussion and providing two very challenging questions. The first question asked if I had seen any government departments provide meaningful sustainability reports. My response was that I was aware of a good report from the Victorian government from 2008 (released in November 2009), and that can be found at the following web site: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/16B5DC07267852D8CA257679000CEE68/$File/DSE+SER+Response.pdf The report is very comprehensive, makes a series of recommendations about dealing with environmental issues and gives a number of references for future reporting. I have also …
Centering on Excellence
Web version – Climate_Project CPA Centering on Excellence Sydney NSW 12 May 2010 A great title for an excellent program CPA Australia are hosting over the next few weeks in several centres around Australia. This morning I had the privilege of speaking to a group of CPA’s in Sydney on climate change and sustainability. The PowerPoint slides that generated some conversation are attached to this post. A couple of things that we did discuss: The use of language – what does sustainability really mean? There seems to be a push for sustainability to mean financial viability, social involvement and a …
Consultant as advisor, how should the model work?
I heard it again today, and you’ve probably heard it a hundred times as well. The adage/definition – a consultant is someone who uses your watch to tell you the time. I’ve nodded agreement and wondered about the truth underlying the humour. And I wonder if that truth is a bad thing. How often do we make time to look at our watch, not only to tell the time, but to maximise the functionality we get from the watch? I am currently doing a lot of work looking at businesses in the sustainability space, and while almost all are doing …
Sustainability, carbon accounting and action
I understand from a range of press reports that the current Australian government has shelved plans to introduce a proposed Carbon Reduction Trading Scheme (CPRS or ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) depending on the reporting journalist) and any scheme is unlikely to be introduced until 2013. So what does this mean for business? There has been talk in the media that business is unable to act because the legislative framework is too uncertain for business to act. Since when did business need certainty to act? While a clear CPRS may drive all businesses to take carbon accounting seriously, there are many …
So what is value?
I believe that depends on where you sit from the customer’s point of view. While there are many different value points along the way to delivering a service or product to a customer, it is the customer that will determine the value by what the customer is prepared to pay. I’ve looked at several business plans in the last week. The plans are great on describing the business idea – the technology, product or service that will be taken to market. The analysis seems right, the descriptions of how things work and will be delivered are passionately explained. The strategic thinking …