The 10 Most Popular Articles of 2021

Many businesses and leadership teams embraced 2021 with optimism, hoping that we would be gaining control over COVID-19. Of course the pandemic would end soon, right?

Alas, this was not to be. Still, companies took steps toward normalcy, some returning to offices, some forging new paths in hybrid and remote work models. Many workers decided they didn’t want to suffer through long commutes or return to jobs they hated and joined the “Great Resignation.” And ultimately, virus variants and infection surges impeded many business plans.

Not surprisingly, the 10 most-read articles on The Carter Reports reflects the mood swings of another challenging, complex year – yet still focuses on some classic principles of business growth.

The 10 most popular articles

1. The 4Ps Are Out, the 4Es Are In
The four “P’s” of marketing – Product, Price, Place, Promotion are old news. They’ve been replaced with the four “E’s” – Experience, Exchange, Everyplace, Evangelism. Note: This has been read a lot in the last several years as well.

2. Five Crucial Leadership Metrics
How do we know if we are successful as leaders? What leadership performance metrics can we measure to gauge or compare our success as leaders?

3. What X Factor Drives Your Economic Engine?
Your economic engine is measured by one key metric that defines the essence of your business model and is tied to your long-range goal.

4. 12 Universal Barriers to Sustainable Growth
Here is my list of the 12 most common barriers to sustainable growth. Each of these barriers requires a different response, so it’s important to diagnose your problem (i.e. get CLARITY) before looking for a solution.

5. Amazon’s 4 Keys to Success
In this interview at the George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Forum on Leadership, Jeff Bezos credits four principles within Amazon’s core values (or company DNA) that have vaulted its success.

6. The Power of Your One-Phrase Strategy
Though I’ve focused my clients for years on the importance of a one-page strategic plan, let me suggest that a precise “one-PHRASE strategy plan” must be your starting point. Here are some examples from companies you will most likely recognize.

7. Mindset: Get better at the things you “care most about.”
In this TED Talk, Eduardo Briceño reveals a simple way to think about getting better at the things you really care about, whether that’s work, parenting or creative hobbies. And he shares some useful techniques so you can keep learning and always feel like you’re moving forward.

8. 5 Ways to Avoid Commoditization in Your Business
We have seen a significant transformation of consumer behavior. They are more informed about the products and services they want to buy; they are armed with comparative data about quality, availability, and price; and they are determined to be successful on their terms. So, how do you and your company respond?

9. Which is More Critical – Strategy or Execution?
Have you and your leadership team debated this issue recently? Would you rather have great execution than superior strategy in your company? I have heard many owners and CEOs say this.

10. 15 Surprising Things Ultra Productive People Do Differently
This is a great read! Kevin Kruse, a NY Times author and entrepreneur, conducted an interview with ultra-productive people including billionaires, Olympians, straight-A students and successful entrepreneurs. He asked a simple, open-ended question, “What is your number one secret to productivity?

Wishing you and your families the best this holiday season!
David