Leadership Lessons Learned
FreeBalance President and CEO, Manuel Pietra, has been nominated for the for Peter Brojde Award for Next Generation Executive Leadership by the CATA Alliance.
How has Manuel achieved profitable and responsible growth for FreeBalance? Manuel has 3 lessons learned:
- Decision-making tools
- Customer-centricity
- Social responsibility
Decision-Making Tools
FreeBalance leverages the “Six Thinking Hats” approach developed by Edward de Bono. The company was organized like most software companies when Manuel joined in March 2006. The organization structure needed to adapt to better serve the market. And, the company needed to make numerous strategic decisions. Manuel assembled the management team. He provided training materials on the technique. He described some high level objectives. Then he left the room. Manuel believes that executives gain more control by relinquishing control.
The 6 Hats technique is used throughout the company and with customers. Members of the FreeBalance International Steering Committee leverage the technique when prioritizing product roadmap items.
Customer Centricity
Most software companies are not customer-centric. Manuel realized that traditional operational processes used by software companies can result in inferior service and put barriers between company and customer decision-makers. We reorganized the company and provided customer metrics as the main dashboard for success. We’ve written a lot about customer-centricity in the past. Initiatives such as the FreeBalance International Steering Committee (FISC), support SWAT Teams and the FreeBalance Customer Exchange have improved support and products. This has aided our growth.
Social Responsibility
Many traditional business leaders believe that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is company cost. Companies that engage in CSR risk profits. Manuel advocated the move to a For Profit Social Enterprise (FOPSE) where CSR is core to company decisions. We’ve talked about the benefits of this approach. We’ve even published a white paper on how to become a FOPSE. The business media has been interested in this approach Manuel has explained how FOPSE companies are able to effectively achieve social goals and achieve growth.
Tags: 6 Thinking Hats, corporate social responsibility, customer centric, Edward de Bono, FOPSE, for profit social enterprise, Manuel Pietra, Six Thinking Hats
May 6th, 2010 at 9:42 am
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