Ever since that tragic incident involving the Titanic, Icebergs have gotten a bad rap. But let’s be fair, it wasn’t the iceberg’s fault; it was just doing what icebergs do: floating and drifting (like more than a few companies).
What sank the Titanic was arrogance (“we’re unsinkable”), cutting corners on safety and construction, recklessness (trying to set a speed record on a maiden voyage) and poor risk assessment: i.e. not recognizing that most of the threat of an iceberg is unseen.
Vistage speaker Marc Emmer suggests we take a different view. “When we hear the iceberg metaphor, our imaginations often drift to the idea that danger lies beneath the surface. But instead of focusing on the hidden threats, let’s explore the vast sea of opportunity that can exist there.”
Mr. Emmer points to the accomplishments of Beth Ford, CEO of Land O’Lakes and “how the company sells much more than butter—it’s an expansive $14 billion networked ecosystem…This example can provide inspiration for how small and medium-sized companies can scale through vertical integration.
As you begin planning for 2024 and beyond (and hopefully you do it all the time) Mr. Emmer suggests you explore The Iceberg Strategy: Uncovering Hidden Opportunities.
