November 21. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Cross-functional expertise refers to the ability of individuals or teams to possess knowledge, skills, and understanding across different functional areas or departments within the organization. A notable example of a business that struggled due to a lack of cross-functional expertise is Nokia, once a global leader … Read more

November 14. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Maintenance never ends on a big ship. This is especially true for a nuclear powered ship. We would put the ship against the pier for extended maintenance periods in addition to the small maintenance that was done in between at-sea periods. In 2008 we had completed … Read more

November 9. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) I mentioned in a previous newsletter that I received orders from Admiral Bob Willard, Commander of the US Pacific Command in June 2007 to make a port visit to Chennai, India, that was important to the President of the United States. A few days later, we … Read more

November 7. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Late June 2007, I received orders from Admiral Bob Willard, Commander of the US Pacific Command, to make a port visit to Chennai, India that was important to the President of the United States. I replied, “Sir, there’s a storm coming. How important is this visit … Read more

October 26th. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) In the heart of Detroit, a city known for its economic struggles and abandoned neighborhoods, a group of determined residents decided to transform their community through urban gardening. They called themselves the Detroit Dirt team, and their story is a true inspiration for urban gardening enthusiasts. … Read more

October 12th. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Strike 1: As I shut down my aircraft and climbed down the ladder, the flight instructor approached the airplane. He said, “Hey, Manazir, the LSOs [Landing Signal Officers] called from the ship and said you were a disqual.” I thought he was joking of course. I … Read more

October 8th. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) In the early autumn of 1982, the streets of Chicago were bathed in crisp, golden sunlight. The air was thick with the promise of a new day, a fresh start. But for seven unsuspecting souls, that day would mark the beginning of a nightmare, one that … Read more

September 26. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) When asked who the stakeholders are for most businesses, the answer most often comes back that it’s the customers, employees and stockholders. Upon closer examination, the list of stakeholders is much longer when you consider your suppliers, government and regulatory bodies, financial institutions,competitors, industry associations, local … Read more

September 18. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Adobe is a prime example of a company that successfully transformed itself and achieved both top-line and bottom-line growth. Historically known for its software products like Photoshop and Illustrator, Adobe shifted from a traditional software sales model to a subscription-based model with Adobe Creative Cloud. This … Read more

September 8. 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) The sea breeze carried a sense of urgency as two warships, the USS Augusta and the HMS Prince of Wales bobbed in the choppy waters off the coast of Newfoundland. It was August 1941, a pivotal moment in history. On the deck of the British vessel … Read more