Photograph of Kay Plantes

Kay Plantes is an MIT-trained economist, business strategy consultant, columnist and author. Business model innovation, strategic leadership and smart economic policies are her professional passions. A former Madison, WI resident, Kay now resides in San Diego, CA. The views on her blog are not those of her employer, IBM.

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May 19th, 2010

Saving Newspapers Before Google Rescues The Day

Media provides a great case study of creative destruction, to coin Joseph Schumpeter’s term for capitalism’s ability to destroy while creating anew. Yet even massive creative destruction will not reverse the basic economic principal that customers buy based on highest perceived value, where value is perceived benefits less the perceived costs to acquire those benefits. [...]


May 3rd, 2010

Business Model Innovation Earns 2009 Inc 500 Spot

I spoke a number of months ago to an audience composed largely of machining companies. (Machining companies transform metal and other hard materials into parts used in transportation equipment, packaging machinery and other manufactured goods.) Like many CEOs in mature manufacturing markets, the leaders felt their companies’ offerings had become commoditized. Quality and service, once [...]