Five reasons why manufacturing is critical to our future By Christopher J Tipler   Australia’s manufacturing sector is in crisis, courtesy of a high Aussie dollar and flat demand in domestic markets. Once around 30% of our economy, manufacturing has fallen to 12% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is likely to push through the

Lessons from the royal wedding. By Christopher J Tipler   I was astounded to read that almost two billion people watched the wedding of William and Kate on television. Yes, that’s right, a third of the world’s population! I cannot think of another event that has commanded such attention, and I am led to wonder

The subject of leadership has been coming up quite a bit in recent client conversations. We mostly see it as an art that is not easily acquired; perhaps it is innate (or not). Increasingly I see this viewpoint as wrong. Leadership is mainly method, and it can be learnt. Let me explain. What leaders do.

By Christopher J Tipler   As a business owner or manager it is easy to become anxious in the face of all the dismal economic and market news, and particularly in the face of all the doomsayers. If the GFC does not return and get us (compliments of the USA, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain and

Eight principles to steer by By Christopher J Tipler   The intense and strongly felt debates about the future of the Murray Darling river system, uranium exports, and gay marriage remind us how difficult it can be to make high quality decisions. Politicians are often required to steer a hazardous course between competing certainties but

How to go beyond CSR to the new value-sharing paradigm   By Christopher J Tipler For some time now it has been clear to sensible business people that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the ‘triple bottom line’ are pretty dumb ideas. They are inconsistent with the moneymaking imperative, they don’t address the critical issue of

Christopher Tipler confronts the monster of despair   The mythical world is full of monsters. There was Scylla, a horrible sea monster with six long necks equipped with grisly heads, each of which had three rows of sharp teeth. Poor old Odysseus had to sail between her and Charybdis, a huge bladder of a creature

Why we must confront the problem of Narcissus   By Christopher J Tipler     My recent deliberations over Myer and David Jones (January 13) left me reflecting on how any large business, and retailers in particular, can create a genuine service culture. This factor seems to be the key to long-term success, not all

Why Tony Abbott is failing Australia By Christopher J Tipler   As a management advisor I have seldom publicly expressed any views on the politics of the day; indeed, I am essentially apolitical and I believe that good government is mainly about good policy, whoever contrives it.   Yet I am completely dismayed at the

The professional services industries in Australia are enormous, employing around 400,000 people. The combined revenue of accountants, lawyers, IT and business process consultants, consulting engineers, management consultants and advertising agencies exceeds $80 billion each year. That, of course, is $80 billion of costs to businesses and governments.   This is an area of frustration for