Larry, Author at Larry Ackerman

New Executive Title: CGO – Find or train one today!

July 31, 2008

This has been bugging me for a while, so I’m going to dig it up and put it out there. Opinions welcome.

Ever since “the vision thing” collided with “execution is everything,” people have failed to resolve the ‘what is more important’ tug-of-war between these two powerful forces. Here, I offer a way to resolve the debate to everyone’s potential satisfaction (or consternation). Forget business for a moment; let’s garden.

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Who is GE without all its parts?

May 15, 2008

in Personal Identity

by Larry

In the business section of The New York Times this morning,there’s an article about GE planning to sell its appliance division, the oldest business in the company’s 120 year history. The sharks are circling…investors are making more and more noise about selling off other parts as well.

An identity for Obama

May 7, 2008

in Brand, Personal Identity

by Larry

“What identity could Barack Obama choose that will be both sincere and successful?” This is the opening line of a recent article from Chron.com entitled, The Search for an Identity that works for Barack Obama. My answer?

“Business Discovers Happiness Pays”

September 21, 2007

in Uncategorized

by Larry

That’s my fantasy news flash for the day. I came across the article Businesses Offer Ways for Employees to Balance Work and Family on the ABC News site the other day that described how helping people deal with non-business related stress – marriage, children, etc. – makes employees more productive workers.

The MBA Identity Crisis Lives!

September 19, 2007

in Careers

by Larry

I just read a terrific article about an MBA candidate at Georgetown, who is wrestling with something other than what investment banking or management consulting firm she wants to work for when she graduates. She’s wrestling with learning who she really is as a person. Her story is fascinating. Check it out at

Identity is all around us

May 8, 2006

in Personal Identity, Uncategorized

by Larry

hello, i’m larry ackerman and my life and work revolve around identity - specifically, personal and organizational identity. i am the author of two books. the first, published in 2000 by berrett-koehler, is Identity Is Destiny: Leadership and the Roots of Value Creation. the second book...