I. Notes From Me
1. Playing Moneyball 2.0
"Here’s the thing about innovation – what worked yesterday rarely works today. Fast forward to 2024. The Dodgers are World Series Champions again, and they got here by revolutionizing how baseball teams approach roster construction."
I just published an article in celebration of my boyhood team and draw some innovation lessons from their approach. You can read the article here.
2. Welcome to Field Notes
I'm happy to launch Field Notes. Each week, I'll share raw insights and notes from the field on embracing uncertainty, managing risk, and discovering breakthrough opportunities. Through these stories and observations, I hope to illuminate the powerful intersection of exploration and business transformation, helping you navigate your own uncharted waters with confidence.
II. Notes From The Frontline
Starbucks: A Return To The Core?
I'm keeping an eye on this. I am curious to see how Starbucks balances customer empathy and employee empathy under new CEO Brian Niccol (who came across from Chipotle) to, in Niccol's words, "change our strategy to win back customers.”
NPR had a nice article introducing the challenge here.
III. Notes as Quotes
"Good is not good when better is expected." - Vin Scully
And to wrap this week up we turn to Vin Scully, the legendary Dodger announcer. He reminds us that in business, as in baseball, we should push ourselves to aim beyond adequacy, constantly striving for our best rather than settling for just “good enough.” I know this message was timely for me this week.
