culture
Complacency, Urgency, and Change
John Kotter makes a good case that urgency is the key ingredient in any organizational transformation. Conversely, the lower the urgency, the higher the likelihood that the firm will collapse or fail or not transform in a way that will enable it to win in a changing marketplace. Kotter does something else that is interesting: he defines True Sense of Urgency, Complacency, and False Sense of Urgency. This was very instructive.
John Kotter makes a good case that urgency is the key ingredient in any organizational transformation. Conversely, the lower the urgency, the higher the likelihood that the firm will collapse or fail or not transform in a way that will enable it to win in a changing marketplace. Kotter does something else that is interesting: he defines True Sense of Urgency, Complacency, and False Sense of Urgency. This was very instructive.
Homogeneous Innovation
Things are all too familiar. That’s good and bad.
It’s good if the service or product meets my basic needs and is memory-neutral: that is, the interaction results in neither good memory or bad memory. It just is and I don’t care.
It’s not good if I come away from the experience thinking “I could have received that same service or product at 50 other places, with no material difference.”
Things are all too familiar. That’s good and bad.
It’s good if the service or product meets my basic needs and is memory-neutral: that is, the interaction results in neither good memory or bad memory. It just is and I don’t care.
It’s not good if I come away from the experience thinking “I could have received that same service or product at 50 other places, with no material difference.”
A Transformation Story
We all love stories. Stories have characters that we relate to or hate, there’s drama, heroes and villains, and the best stories stir the emotion. The same goes for companies and their stories – all companies have a story. Most stories are in-process still, whereas some have ended, such as the story of Enron. What is your story? If your company is amidst a transformation or a turnaround, what does that story look like? What chapter are you in?
We all love stories. Stories have characters that we relate to or hate, there’s drama, heroes and villains, and the best stories stir the emotion. The same goes for companies and their stories – all companies have a story. Most stories are in-process still, whereas some have ended, such as the story of Enron. What is your story? If your company is amidst a transformation or a turnaround, what does that story look like? What chapter are you in?
Why Transformation Efforts Fail
Transformation or Change efforts sometimes fail. In fact, the numbers are staggering – most of them fail. While the root cause is wide and varied, there are general themes or characteristics that are important to keep in mind in your own transformation efforts. Think of these as symptoms also — that a failure is around the corner if you see these characteristics creeping-up or, better yet, you can course-correct if there’s still time.
Transformation or Change efforts sometimes fail. In fact, the numbers are staggering – most of them fail. While the root cause is wide and varied, there are general themes or characteristics that are important to keep in mind in your own transformation efforts. Think of these as symptoms also — that a failure is around the corner if you see these characteristics creeping-up or, better yet, you can course-correct if there’s still time.
Turnaround and Change Management: Do Not Waste a Good Crisis
I’ve been part of several turnarounds and have led a few in my short career. One thing that I’ve learned is this: one cannot underestimate the people-side of a turnaround. In fact, it’s very likely that your turnaround will fail, if your people aren’t with you.
I’ve been part of several turnarounds and have led a few in my short career. One thing that I’ve learned is this: one cannot underestimate the people-side of a turnaround. In fact, it’s very likely that your turnaround will fail, if your people aren’t with you.
Amazon and Zappos Sitting in a Tree
As most you know by now, Zappos has entered into a definitive agreement with Amazon.com and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon. This is exciting and, after speaking with my friends both at Amazon and at Zappos, they are all quite excited too. Congratulations to Amazon, Zappos, Tony Hsieh, and Jeff Bezos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9.
As most you know by now, Zappos has entered into a definitive agreement with Amazon.com and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon. This is exciting and, after speaking with my friends both at Amazon and at Zappos, they are all quite excited too. Congratulations to Amazon, Zappos, Tony Hsieh, and Jeff Bezos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9.
The Profit Tree is not the only Tree
In this very tough economic environment, organizations turn more and more focus on the Profit Tree. The course of history shows us that zeitgeist — or the movement of history at certain points of time — is a cascading phenomena where the collective focus and worldview is taken-on by large groups of people.
It seems that these days, we are all required to think more about the Profit Tree. But, are there other things to consider?
In this very tough economic environment, organizations turn more and more focus on the Profit Tree. The course of history shows us that zeitgeist — or the movement of history at certain points of time — is a cascading phenomena where the collective focus and worldview is taken-on by large groups of people.
It seems that these days, we are all required to think more about the Profit Tree. But, are there other things to consider?
