This is interesting. NAB is as dysfunctional as MPAA or RIAA.

While satellite radio still seems to be figuring out how to make a profit, it's soaring in popularity, winning over 14 million paid subscribers in just a few years. Of course, that may not be a reflection of XM or Sirius' quality so much as the mundanity and drollery of Clear Channel America.

Of course, the harder the NAB fights and the more money the NAB spends to promote this message, the clearer it becomes that the NAB fears the competition posed by an XM-Sirius alliance. In effect, the more the NAB fights the merger, the more it undermines its own argument against it.

Dinosaurs vs. Satellites

Even the most successful business models erode over time.

The key to thriving under such tough conditions is adaptability. ... companies must continually update their business model ...

All of the possible methods of bringing customers value -- anything from more-efficient production lines to new products and services -- boil down to just three fundamental strategies:

* Industrial efficiency, which creates value by producing standardized offerings at low cost. Manufacturers and fast-food restaurants rely on this approach.

* Network services, which creates value by connecting clients to other people or other parts of the network. Telephone companies, delivery services and Internet middlemen such as eBay use this method.

* Knowledge intensive, which creates value by applying customized expertise to clients' problems. Law firms and medical practices are prime examples.

It's everything you need to know.

The article is also available here.

At both locations, there's a sidebar with pointers to further reading.

The Path to Growth

This is an oldie but a goodie. I happened onto it today and figured I'd re-recommend it.

Separate the facts from the fads: A groundbreaking, five-year study reveals the must-have management practices that truly produce superior results.

Excel at Four Primary Practices:

Strategy: Devise and maintain a clearly stated, focused strategy.
Execution: Develop and maintain flawless operational execution.
Culture: Develop and maintain a performance-oriented culture.
Structure: Build and maintain a fast, flexible, flat organization.

Embrace Two of Four Secondary Practices:

Hold on to talented employees and find more.
Make industry-transforming innovations.
Find leaders who are committed to the business and its people.
Seek growth through mergers and partnerships.

What Really Works

Idea rats include Duncan Watts, Michael Schrage, Clay Shirky, and David Weinberger.

Our annual survey of emerging ideas considers how nanotechnology will affect commerce, what role hope plays in leadership, and why, in an age that practically enshrines accountability, we need to beware of "accountabalism."

The HBR List: Breakthrough Ideas for 2007

Seeing a Clear Channel in the making, NYT comes out against the XM-Sirius merger.

These are not widget makers. Radios carry important discourse and debate — they are vital to the free exchange of ideas protected by the First Amendment. Recent experience shows that media consolidation usually leads to more homogeneous content, politically as well as artistically, and it rarely benefits the consumer or the country.

Tuning In to One Company

XM and SIRIUS today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement, under which the companies will be combined in a tax-free, all-stock merger of equals with a combined enterprise value of approximately $13 billion, which includes net debt of approximately $1.6 billion.

Widely covered, but noteworthy, if it gets approved.

XM and Sirius Merge

"No, I’m not going to be in this industry anymore. The industry's dying." He waited a beat, then added, "I'm going to sell drugs to junior high schoolers."

Lights Out

Early last year, the standard price of a 4-by-6 print was around 29 cents. Today, they cost 19 cents at Shutterfly, 15 cents at Kodak and 12 cents at Snapfish, though volume discounts are available.

A Dot-Com Survivor’s Long Road

Fragrance makers have released more new products in the past two years than they did in every year from 1970 to 1989 combined.

The Smell Test

International Business Machines said yesterday that its third-quarter net income soared on robust software sales, a business helped by $4 billion in acquisitions this year.

Acquisitions Lift Earnings 47% at IBM