Globally Relevant

"Ford was once one of the 10 most valuable brands in the world. They're no longer on that list, but Toyota now is. How did Toyota—and the other nine companies—do it? There are 5 characteristics that all top global brands have in common."

Why Global Brands Work

When In Doubt, Simplify. Then Simplify Just a Bit More.

"'Keep it simple, stupid.' That's the advice every executive has received on how to share strategy with employees. The subtext is often, 'Keep it simple, because your people are stupid.' But you don't need to embrace simplicity just so your people can comprehend your message. The point of simplicity is more fundamental: Simplicity allows people to act."

Analysis of Paralysis

This Would Never Happen on my Watch

Redesign of the Week

A BusinessWeek for a Busier World

Persuading the Functions

"Clearly, the job of building a design practice that spans a global enterprise like HP is at least as much about management as it is about design. Lucente has taken on the task with a deft political hand. 'At HP,' he says, 'it's all about persuasion -- making our best effort and then letting people decide whether they want to take us up on it.'"

Streamlining HP

Connecting Beyond :30 Intervals

"Many large marketers are taking huge chunks of money out of their budgets for traditional media and using the funds to develop new, more direct interactions with consumers — not only on the Internet, but also through in-person events.

"Adventurous companies like Nike have been experimenting with these alternatives since the 1990s. But now, even the most conventional marketers are making these alternatives a permanent — and ever bigger — part of their advertising budgets."

The New Advertising Outlet: Your Life

2007 MoD

Fast Company Masters of Design

Designing a Better Manager

"RitaSue Siegel, a headhunter who has placed myriad designers in upper management and executive positions, insists that all major corporations offer executive training programs to high-potential employees, including designers. She points, for instance, to Procter & Gamble (PG) where 'designers get training in memo writing, giving winning presentations, and finance for nonfinance managers.' As an example, she singles out Jon Denham, a former associate director of design for P&G hair care, whose broad business training helped him land a job as first-ever vice-president of design at another major consumer products company (a move soon to be announced)."

Wanted: VPs of Design

Onslaught

New Bravia Ad Multiplies Like Bunnies