The Harper Report Archives

A few weeks ago Scott and I hit the wall – literally.  After an unrelenting series of winter storms here in northern New Jersey, we assessed the damage to the retaining walls on our driveway, which is built into a hill. Clearly, one of the walls needed to be torn down and rebuilt. And we needed to get this done fast.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of contracting companies in this area. But selecting the right contractor was a job in itself. One didn’t have the right expertise and several more didn’t return our call for almost a week. It was looking bleak for getting the work done before the wall came tumbling down. We were overjoyed when we finally found a contractor with the right expertise, who seemed as interested in working with us as we were in working with him.

But the story gets even better. We not only found the right contractor, we found a contractor we now regard as a partner in this project. Read More

Although we don’t visit the psychic reader down the street, we are passionate about looking into the future as best as we can to help ourselves and our clients take full advantage of emerging opportunities. We draw insights from our conversations with leaders and our research, then apply our experience and intuition to map a path forward.

Here are three business trends that we predict will be critical for leaders in every company to address to accelerate their company’s innovation, growth and profitability in 2014, along with our tips for how you can take advantage of them to drive your company forward.Read More

It’s that time of year again. Along with the new season of Fall television shows, football, and autumn leaves, it’s time for our annual visit to the optometrist.

“Which is clearer?” the doctor asks as he flips the lens back and forth on the refraction instrument, “Choice one or choice two?” Sometimes the answer is obvious. But after a few rounds, it becomes difficult to tell the difference between the two choices. It’s only after looking through a series of contrasting lenses and seeing the fine distinctions that the most appropriate choice becomes clear.

Likewise, as the business environment is changing so rapidly in so many subtle ways, it can be hard to distinguish – let alone agree upon –what is changing and how this is likely to impact your vision, mission and strategy.Read More

By Pamela S. Harper and D. Scott Harper

In Animal Farm, George Orwell wrote, “All animals are equal
 (but some animals are more equal than others).” We believe this statement can also frequently be applied to all types of strategic partnerships. This includes joint ventures, strategic alliances, outsourcing, and licensing.

Even when partners intend to create an equal relationship, it’s easy for their different values, beliefs, and practices to result in a cultural tug-of-war that leaves one (or surprisingly, all of the partners) feeling that they’re the ones holding the short end of the stick.

It’s especially critical to address this issue sooner rather than later, as the clock for payoff mercilessly ticks away regardless of what is happening.Read More

By Pamela S. Harper and D. Scott Harper

From time to time, leaders of even the most sophisticated and innovative organizations must take control of an issue that almost everyone sees but no one wants to face, otherwise known as the “elephant in the room.” While these issues may be daunting, there are ways to take control.

Organizational elephants often are born and grow from good intentions. These can include the desire to avoid unnecessary conflicts and maintain important relationships, or to be seen as a team player. However, when left unresolved, organizational elephants produce a situation where people become focused on preserving an illusion that erodes trust, wastes time, drains resources, robs you of talent, and steals opportunities. The sooner you take control of an organizational elephant by spotting it and freeing it, the less power it has over your company’s success. Read More