Life in a Matrix

Finding the right level of control is critical in complex companies.
There are many factors that can subtly (or not so subtly) undermine trust in complex companies (cultural differences, competing priorities, working through technology & misaligned goals – to name but a few). If trust is damaged mangers tend to increase central control and this can [...]

 Finding the right level of control [11:21m]: Download

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Management teams in complex companies lead matrix, virtual, international and cross-cultural organizations. In operating as a team in such a complex environment they face some common challenges including

What is our unique contribution as a team – rather than just the sum of our individual roles?
What is the right level of control for our business?
What is [...]

 Management Teams in Complex Companies [10:27m]: Download

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In this episode, Kevan Hall, CEO of Global Integration and author of the book Speed Lead talks about employee engagement – what is employee engagement, how do we build it and how do we avoid cynicism as we try to build engagement following a period of tough business results and sometimes difficult decisions.

 Employee Engagement - Life in a Matrix [12:03m]: Download

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In this podcast we focus on managing complexity within the HR function.
Many HR organizations have adopted some version of the Ulrich model with a system of business partners, specialists and (often outsourced) service centres for transactional activities. This has introduced a much more complex internal matrix structure within the HR function.
As a result HR people [...]

 Managing complexity in HR - Life in a Matrix podcast [7:36m]: Download

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Managing the relationship between HQ and local operations is always an area with the potential for problems. HQ and local people have different roles and sometimes competing priorities and perspectives.
In a tough economy there is a tendency for central control to increase which can place the HQ & local relationship under even more pressure and [...]

 Managing the HQ & Local relationship [13:16m]: Download

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In this podcast Kevan Hall, CEO of Global Integration, discusses Creating a more integrated IT function.
Many organizations are creating increasingly integrated central functions such as IT – driven by globalization, cost savings and the need to share scarce resources more widely across the organization.
But a more complex, more integrated IT function, more complex customers and [...]

 Creating a more integrated IT function - Life in a Matrix Episode 9 [8:37m]: Download

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In this podcast Kevan Hall, CEO of Global Integration, discusses Mergers and Acquisitions.
An inability to manage differences in corporate cultures and failure to manage the higher level of organizational complexity after M&A activity are two major reasons that many fail to deliver value.
In this podcast Kevan talks about the challenges of successful M&A activity, using [...]

 Mergers and Acquisitions - Life in a Matrix Podcast - Episode 8 [7:56m]: Download

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In this podcast Kevan Hall, CEO of Global Integration, discusses global account management. Global account management has become common in large global organizations and their suppliers but it represents a real step up in complexity from national accounts or other local key accounts management.
Global accounts managers need to be able to cope with complex customers, [...]

 Global account management - Life in a Matrix Podcast Episode 7 [9:40m]: Download

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In this podcast Kevan Hall, CEO of Global Integration, discusses cross cultural skills development. In complex organizations, working with multicultural teams and colleagues has become “business as usual”.
As a result cross cultural skills development needs to be much more embedded in everyday people processes at a deeper level in the orgnaization and needs to be [...]

 Cross cultural skills development - Life in a Matrix Podcast Episode 6 [8:50m]: Download

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Many organizations are under pressure to reduce travel. The desire to reduce costs, save time and reduce their carbon footprint give them a strong motivation to cut travel budgets. But on the other hand we still need to get things done, build relationships with colleagues and customers and deliver results.
In this episode Kevan Hall, CEO [...]

 Managing without travel - Life in a Matrix [8:45m]: Download

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