Journal of Business Strategy

1999 Journal of Business Strategy

doi: 10.1108/eb040020

If you were hoping for easing of the tight labor market in the traditionally slow last quarter, you'll be disappointed. Milwaukeebased Manpower's Employment Outlook Survey indicates that nearly 30 of the nearly 16,000 companies interviewed plan further hiring and 58 anticipate no change. In the Northeast, employers anticipate their highest level of fourth quarter hiring activity in 11 years. In the Midwest, the forecast for the fourth quarter is unsurpassed in the 23year history of the survey. In the West, durable goods manufacturers and educational organizations are aggressively hiring and other industries will follow customary seasonal patterns. Only the South expects a minor drop from the corresponding period of last year.

1999 Journal of Business Strategy

doi: 10.1108/eb040021

By contrast, successful startups, such as Excite Internet media, Amgen biotechnology, and Tivoli network management software, grew and prospered under the constraints of venture capitalstyle funding.

Oliver, Richard W.

1999 Journal of Business Strategy

doi: 10.1108/eb040022

Students of corporate strategy are used to seeing metaphors used to help explain strategic concepts. Most typical are those metaphors using sports, war, or the military. In fact, it was from military strategists, such as Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, or Montgomery, that we borrowed many of our ideas and terminology.

Greco, JoAnn

1999 Journal of Business Strategy

doi: 10.1108/eb040024

That so many companies are even tentatively reexamining the traditional workspace may also be tacit recognition that office environments are important in attracting and retaining workers. A recent survey from the American Society of Interior Designers reveals that employees say the physical workplace is one of the most important factors influencing their decisions to accept or leave jobs, right behind compensation and virtually tied with benefits. Fortyone percent report that the physical environment would influence their decision to accept a position, and half say it would affect their decision to leave. Employees appreciate such workplace conditions as adequate storage, visually appealing furniture and equipment, bright lighting, privacy, and easy access to coworkers

Baker, Sunny; Baker, Kim

1999 Journal of Business Strategy

doi: 10.1108/eb040026

You can collect huge masses of data about your customers, but if you don't sort it, it won't do you any good. Mapping software may be just what you need.

Kelly, Brian J.

1999 Journal of Business Strategy

doi: 10.1108/eb040027

Don't regard computer security issues as fires to put out. First assess the real risks, then establish a coordinated strategy for protecting against them.

Lane Voss, Bristol

1999 Journal of Business Strategy

doi: 10.1108/eb040029

Leadership as a topic never goes away and probably never will as long as it's such an important part of being a successful strategist. And so we tackle this hearty evergreen again. The latest crop to face Stack's ax all take different spins on imparting leadership wisdom.

1999 Journal of Business Strategy

doi: 10.1108/eb040030

In our cover story, we told you about these noteworthy strategists. Here, we give them a chance to speak for themselves. It's fitting that they should have the last word.