Seth Kahan

The original touchstone was basanite, a smooth, black stone used to test the quality of gold and silver. It was rubbed across the precious metal, and the authenticity could be determined by the color of the streak produced. The word touchstone now means anything that tests genuineness or excellence. Genuineness and excellence are at the […]

The nineteenth-century logging industry in the United States reshaped the landscape, provided income for tens of thousands of workers, and was a significant source of economic resources in a difficult time. In many wilderness areas, loggers would cut down trees, trim their branches and roots until they could be rolled easily, and haul them to

For every act there is an accepted set of limits. If you stay inside them it is considered safe.  Pushing the outside of the envelope tests those limits, finding out exactly how far they can be pushed. The term came from mathematics first, and then was applied to aeronautics. Tom Wolfe made it popular in

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could tell which opportunities lead to long term success and which don’t? It’s hard in today’s complex world, with competing demands, multiple stakeholders, and constantly changing circumstances. That’s why I invented the multi-scope strategy I outline below. Before you take a look, just remember this: the best leaders rely

In the last three issues I shared the opportunity window that occurs when customer satisfaction drops. This window of opportunity opens because (a) people want things to be different than they are, and (b) the market has not yet recognized the advantage this presents; i.e., market recognition is weak. There are three primary strategies for

In the last issue I shared the opportunity window that occurs when customer satisfaction dives. This window opens because (a) new opportunities are generated by the desire to have things different than they are, and (b) market recognition of the new opportunity is weak. There are three primary strategies for leveraging challenges in the marketplace.

Over the last two years I worked with leaders of organizations large and small on how to drive growth in our sluggish economy, putting me in the position to see what’s working and what’s not in private sector companies, public sector agencies, and associations of all kinds. When I say growth I mean: (a) Increased

While working at the World Bank as a Knowledge Analyst I witnessed a significant change in how knowledge was amassed and applied for greatest impact. Previously, the emphasis had been on certain individuals, those remarkable people recognized for their exceptional experience and acumen. However, aided by collaborative technology, communities of professionals brought their collective know-how

In my work I am always talking to business leaders preoccupied with the growing edge. Here is one thing the most forward thinking have in common: they are continually focused on understanding and serving their customers’ customers. While many customers don’t have extra bandwidth right now, one thing they all thinking about is how to

Here in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving this Thursday – a time when people of all persuasions take time to eat dinner with loved ones and express their gratitude. In this day and age, everyone is so interconnected that appreciation quickly highlights how interdependent we all are. One of the most powerful tools I