Stress Test Your Strategy Before It Fails
While many teams and organizations engage in scenario planning, most don't go far enough. Arjan Singh, consultant and adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University, says a more disciplined approach, borrowed from the military, can help leaders truly test how their strategies, operations, and tactics hold up against competitors, shifting market dynamics, and unexpected events. He's helped hundreds of companies identify risks and find new ways to innovate by leading them through corporate war games, and he explains his process and results. Singh is the author of the book Competitive Success: Building Winning Strategies with Corporate War Games.
Key episode topics include: competitive strategy, strategy, scenario planning, risk management, military, wargaming
HBR On Strategy curates the best conversations and case studies with the world's top business and management experts, to help you unlock new ways of doing business. New episodes every week.
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2 days ago
- Forbes
This New Effortlessly Chic And Inclusive Caftan Brand Will Be Your Summer Uniform
Models wearing Dianna Singh The Classic Caftan Life is better in a caftan. That's essentially Dianna Singh's motto. According to her philosophy, life is about to get a lot better for many people, thanks to her newly launched eponymous brand of caftans and matching sets. 'To me, a caftan is just the most joyful garment ever,' Singh says. 'I think it is scientifically impossible to be unhappy while you're wearing a caftan. What appeals to me about caftans and sets and anything that I'm making is that they are celebratory, they are non-exclusionary and they are statement making, but they're not fussy, and those are a lot of the same qualities that I love about beauty. So that is what brought me here.' A veteran beauty editor, Singh previously was on staff at InStyle and is currently the Features Director at Allure. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) with the intent to work in fashion but fell into the beauty world. 'I ended up staying there because I loved how joyful and celebratory it was, and the connectivity of it all,' she says. 'In my mind, there's always been a little voice that's said, 'what if you could bring that to fashion?' This feels like the vehicle to do that.' Dianna Singh wearing The Fancy Set True to her ethos, the entire Dianna Singh line is ebullient with a touch of whimsy. Don't expect any black or neutrals here—the line has a beautiful, bright color palette, featuring vibrant hues like Kelly green and tomato red caftans. The matching sets include the brand's cheery signature print and a classic lavender seersucker. Adding matching sets to the collection simply made sense. 'For those same reasons of caftans being cool and comfortable, easy-to-wear sets take the guesswork out of getting dressed, so they feel related to me in that way, in terms of ease, and you don't have to think about it,' Singh says. 'You put it on, you look good, you can go about your day. It gives options for folks who maybe aren't as familiar with the caftan world. It's a nice entry point as well; I suppose we can't wear caftans with absolutely everything, although I would argue you could. It adds a spice but still feels like it's that same core value.' Dianna Singh is a reflection of its founder's signature personal style. Unsurprisingly, Singh looked to her own closet while designing the collection. 'I've been collecting caftans for years,' she says. 'A pain point for me in collecting them has been the price point. There are a lot of great brands out there that are at a higher price point, and I certainly recognize that they're using handmade materials and perhaps they have hand-tied sequins and those details, and I certainly think there is a place for that. But in terms of those everyday, I want to feel really good in this, I could wear this to a wedding and dance in it kind of caftan, it was hard to find those. It's taken me years to amass my current caftan collection, so I figured I could take the guesswork out of that for folks.' Singh collects matching sets as well. Models in Dianna Singh The Swing Dress 'I love a great print,' Singh says. 'You can tell by my married name that my husband is Indian, and I really got into the Indian design world when I was working on planning our wedding a couple years back, and just fell in love with all the gorgeous prints and colors. That's reflected in the line as well.' Though Singh is clearly a dedicated caftan wearer, she is aware the silhouette can be overwhelming to some. That's why she shows plenty of ways to wear them on her social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. 'I want to show how people style and wear them in real life because it can be a little intimidating,' she says. 'It's more fabric than maybe people are used to wearing. I love a big, chunky earring. I love a little kitten heel to dress it up. The beauty of it, too, is if you want to ease into things, wear it as a beach cover up or by the pool, and get used to and get with the go the flow of it all. I was wearing one of our early samples on a dance floor at a wedding recently, and it just flows. It's hard to say no to; it's a very convincing garment. I don't do a belt typically, but you certainly could. Don't be surprised if the belt comes off by the end of the night; you'll be fully embracing it.' Singh had been dreaming of creating the line for years—she considers it a lifelong pursuit in many ways—and once she took action it took about a year to come to fruition. She started with mood boards, taking inspiration from Slim Aarons imagery from the 60s, with lounge-y poolside vibes top of mind. She brought those images, along with her own sketches, to her manufacturer. Models in Dianna Singh The Fancy Set and The Drawstring Dress 'I was lucky to be introduced to a manufacturer in India, and it felt like the stars aligned,' Singh says. 'That was a great partnership, and they've been lovely to work with, and it's great to know that the line is being made there. I'm excited to see the possibilities of the beadwork and fabrics that can be made there because the sky is the limit with their beautiful textiles.' Most of the textiles are sourced from India as well, and eventually they will be entirely. Inclusivity is also of the utmost important to Singh. 'One thing I love about the beauty world is the fact that it is non-exclusionary,' Singh says. 'Anyone can swipe on lipstick and that's something that I love about caftans too. At any body shape, at any body size, a caftan can work for you, and they grow with you. I've had a lot of folks reach out in the last couple days saying, 'I'm pregnant' or 'I'm going to be pregnant. Can I wear this?' Yes, it will grow with you. It might fit you a little differently, but the flexibility of the garments is so special and so universal.' To illustrate that size diversity, all of the models on and the social channels represent that. 'I want our models to reflect our world and you will always see a diverse range of models from us,' Singh says. 'Whatever size you are, I want you to look at our site and our social media and see yourself.' The Dianna Singh Bow Tie Caftan Dianna Singh is currently only direct to consumer, but Singh plans on doing trunk shows and expanding to select hotel boutiques, which is fitting given the nature of the line. 'Direct to consumer is a great fit for us right now so I can learn about our customer,' Singh says. 'I'm already seeing the orders roll in and what folks are gravitating towards, the sizes they're looking for, the questions they're asking. It's a great container for experimentation and figuring out next steps.' The brand is self-funded. 'I haven't received outside financial investment, but I'd be remiss not to mention the investment of time, advice and encouragement that I've received from many of my colleagues along the way,' Singh says. 'It was an investment to start it, but to be small and nimble, especially in the current climate, is an advantage. While we of course want to grow, right now we can use our size to our advantage.' With tariffs looming over many brands, Singh sees their small stature as a plus because they can react in real time. Dianna Singh in The Classic Caftan As the height of travel season commences, the launch timing isn't a coincidence. 'Caftans are certainly at their peak popularity in the summer,' Singh says. 'I am an advocate for caftans all year round, and I hope will convert a lot of folks into thinking the same way, but I do think the summer season is prime time. We've already heard from a lot of people who are headed off to places like Italy or Greece that they can't wait to wear their caftans there. They're also very packable. They might need a quick steam once they come out of your suitcase—because who doesn't after a long flight—but they are made to travel with.' This is just the beginning for Dianna Singh. She's considering expanding into knit sets and beyond. 'I'm excited to build relationships with our customers and follow their lead to perhaps other categories,' she says. 'I've had a few requests already for caftans for men and for children, so I'm listening. I'm hearing that a lot of folks like the idea of slipping on a little caftan on their mini me and matching, which I think is fun. Ultimately, I wouldn't rule out anything beauty related, maybe down the line; once a beauty editor, always a beauty editor. 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Harvard Business Review
3 days ago
- Harvard Business Review
Stress Test Your Strategy Before It Fails
While many teams and organizations engage in scenario planning, most don't go far enough. Arjan Singh, consultant and adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University, says a more disciplined approach, borrowed from the military, can help leaders truly test how their strategies, operations, and tactics hold up against competitors, shifting market dynamics, and unexpected events. He's helped hundreds of companies identify risks and find new ways to innovate by leading them through corporate war games, and he explains his process and results. Singh is the author of the book Competitive Success: Building Winning Strategies with Corporate War Games. Key episode topics include: competitive strategy, strategy, scenario planning, risk management, military, wargaming HBR On Strategy curates the best conversations and case studies with the world's top business and management experts, to help you unlock new ways of doing business. New episodes every week.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Want to prevent a stroke? 5 simple, everyday lifestyle changes you should make, according to a doctor
Nearly 900,000 Canadian adults have experienced a stroke — a disease that affects blood flow to, and within, the brain and damages brain cells. With June being Stroke Month, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is raising awareness about the disease, its risk factors and myths. And, while many factors influence stroke risk — including things you can't change, like genetics, age and sex — certain lifestyle changes can lower your risk of stroke. In fact, 80 per cent of strokes are preventable. However, according to a 2023 poll, 7 in 10 Canadians don't understand the risk factors for stroke and heart disease. It can be hard to fix what you don't understand. With this in mind, Yahoo Canada spoke to Dr. Nishita Singh. She's a stroke neurologist, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and the Heart and Stroke and Research Manitoba chair in clinical stroke research. Here, Singh shares her advice on how to decrease stroke risk by making lifestyle changes and embracing healthy habits. First, an important reminder: 'Stroke can happen at any age, and the risk of stroke increases as people get older,' Singh says. While 80 per cent of all strokes happen to those over the age of 60, it's important to note that younger people can — and do — have strokes. 'It's really important that you keep your heart and brain healthy,' Singh says. 'That's what would prevent stroke and heart disease, and it all begins with understanding your risk and knowing what you can do to manage them.' The good news is, healthy lifestyle behaviours can be very effective in lowering your stroke risk. 'These simple habits are, of course, easier for some than others," the doctor continues. "But they can make a remarkable difference when it comes to decreasing your risk of stroke and heart disease in the future.' Singh and other doctors advise patients to aim for 10,000 steps per day. If you're not doing any kind of physical activity each day, Singh says you should start — whether you're in your 20s or 60s — or even older. 'It's never too late to start any kind of physical activity,' she says. Can't hit 10,000 steps? That's OK. Any exercise is better than nothing, Singh notes. 'There is a cumulative benefit when it comes to physical activity, so even if you start with 2,000 steps a day or 5,000 steps a day, that's also good,' she explains. As a benchmark, the Heart and Stroke Foundation suggests people get in 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is about 20 minutes each day. And it doesn't have to be hitting the gym or lifting weights. Singh says it can be as simple as walking. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for both heart disease and stroke, Singh says. 'It is also one of the most challenging things to do at a personal level when it comes to quitting.' Smoking causes stickiness in your blood cells, making them clump together more easily — and more likely to form clots. Smoking can also lead to deposition of cholesterol plaques, which can cause narrowing of the arteries in the heart, the brain and throughout your body. 'That can lead to symptoms of heart disease, heart attack or stroke,' Singh explains. The same goes for e-cigarettes and vaping. If you're thinking about quitting, Singh says it doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' mindset. 'Just start with taking baby steps — there's a cumulative benefit there as well," she says. Experts generally recommend limiting alcohol intake for heart health. In fact, the World Heart Federation says that even moderate alcohol consumption can harm cardiovascular health, and Health Canada's guidelines to limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per week align with this. 'There's a lot of recent data which actually strongly supports that no alcohol is the best way to protect yourself from heart disease or stroke,' Singh says. 'Currently, you should abstain from alcohol completely to prevent any further risk.' It's one of the most commonly asked questions Singh gets: What exactly should I be eating as part of a healthy diet? 'It's really about conscious eating and conscious lifestyle measures,' she says. Generally, Singh tells patients that eating healthy means not getting takeout from fast food joints every day. 'No deep fried foods, no alcohol, no smoking, no ultra-processed foods, and no or minimal red meat,' she adds. Similar to smoking, Singh explains that the extra oil in deep-fried foods deposits in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to the narrowing of arteries. 'It can ultimately lead to decreased blood flow and make these organs unhappy and cause symptoms and heart disease and stroke,' she says. She also says researchers are currently studying how ultra-processed foods can affect your risk of heart disease and stroke. So, what should you eat? 'Eat as much natural, organic, green, healthy, leafy greens, vegetables and fruits [as possible] and get all of that in your system while you're exercising and having a smoke-free, alcohol-free life," the doctor says. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way to lower your risk of stroke. It's worth noting, Singh says, that these changes don't have to happen overnight. "Even if you take small, incremental steps, your risk of stroke will lower over time as you pursue a healthier lifestyle," she says. More than three in 10 Canadians cannot name any of the signs of stroke, according to the latest Heart and Stroke poll results. It's important to recognize the signs of stroke so you can act quickly. FAST is a simple way to remember the signs of stroke: Face – is it drooping? Arms – can you raise both? Speech – Is it slurred or jumbled? Time to call 9-1-1 right away.
