Management Tip of the Day: Improve Your Ability to Anticipate Crises

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile MAY 9, 2013 Improve Your Ability to Anticipate Crises Most leaders, even highly skilled ones, aren't great at detecting ambiguous threats on the periphery of their business. But to be successful, you need to pick up weak signals from both inside and outside the organization. To get better at this critical skill, talk to your customers, suppliers, and other partners to understand their challenges. Conduct market research and business simulations to understand competitors' perspectives, gauge their likely reactions to new initiatives or products, and predict potential disruptive offerings. Look at a fast-growing rival and examine any actions it takes that puzzle you. List customers you have lost recently and try to figure out why. Attend conferences and events in other industries or functions. All of this will give you the information you need to sense opportunities and potential crises. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Strategic Leadership: The Essential Skills" by Paul J.H. Schoemaker, Steve Krupp, and Samantha Howland. Read the magazine article and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Workforce Wisdom: Insights on Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining Your Best People Special Collections Great talent is hard to find, and it's even harder to keep. This special collection will help you: Plan recruiting to attract the right talent for the future Get new recruits off to a fast start along their career tracks Develop positive reinforcements that foster commitment and enthusiasm Reduce turnover and minimize the outflow of star employees Having a product workforce doesn't end with hiring the best person for the job. That's just the beginning. Order your copy of Workforce Wisdom today and learn how to boost your organization's potential. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Set an Email Quota and Stick to It Don't Listen to Customers — Observe Them Set the Right Tone for Your Talk Know When It's Time to Quit Your Job 2 Strategic Choices You Have to Make Use Your Online Network to Test Ideas Prepare Stories for Your Job Interview Walk at Your Next Meeting 3 Elements of Great Communication Before Your Next Salary Negotiation, Do Your Homework All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations Ebook + Video Case Study HBR's 10 Must Reads on Leadership HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)