Frozen In Time
Change Demands Change
In these times of "permanent change" in which we live we must recognise that change demands change.
Whilst anyone could be forgiven for freezing in a moment of panic (perhaps until the adrenaline kicks in) no organisation can afford to ignore or resist change or be caught out by allowing the corporate learning dilemma to turn into a fatal hesitation.
Are you still using the same tools, techniques and technologies? The same business processes and procedures? Is your organisation frozen in time in a state of business rigidity? Or are you experiencing and embracing change?
Change Shows No Mercy
One thing is clear, those who do not embrace change will be swept away by it. Nothing lasts forever and change shows no mercy. Failure to change inevitably leads to extinction unless we bow to the demands of change and meet them head on, however difficult that might be.
The Land That Time Forgot
We all interact with different organisations as part of our everyday lives but sometimes when dealing with them I can't help but wonder if electricity has yet to be invented for some of them! Are they sharpening their quills before they write my request onto parchment to be delivered by hand to an already overflowing in-tray?
This might go some way to explaining why I'm forced to telephone, wait ages, authenticate multiple times, speak to someone who has no knowledge of my previous interactions (or my decades of loyalty) before telling me it will take several weeks to action my request.
Why would I ever go there again? Glaciers move quicker! Why don't I just switch my custom and leave such organisations in the land that time forgot? (It has been known to happen! 😊)
Same Old Same Old
How organisations end up in the land that time forgot is simple - they assume that what made them successful in the past will continue to make them successful in the future. You can just imagine them saying "we are making good money doing this so if it ain't broke, don't fix it". The result is that "same old same old" prevails and the big freeze sets in until the mighty oak begins to topple.
Often our biggest competitor is our current way of working and our reluctance to change it. Some people have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future before they'll admit it's better! Others act like their feet are set in concrete and refuse to budge - these are the change resistors. Either way, time marches on.
(By the way, I love it when a change resistor becomes an advocate for change. I quietly smile at their change of heart and force myself never to mention the U-turn they took. 😊)
What Really Motivates Us
Most people want to come to work with a sense of purpose and leave with a sense of achievement. They want to feel part of a shared goal and good about their work and workplace. They want interesting and challenging work and recognition for doing a good job.
It's actually surprising what really motivates people and there's an interesting animated video on a talk by Dan Pink on the subject.
New Age Managers
Imagine a herd of new age managers, sweeping across the open plan, who are not driven solely by financial targets, not in competition, not clambering over each other in a fight to get to the top but instead lovers of teamwork and seeing their staff achieve their full potential.
People who make time to listen to problems, work related or not. People who know that their own success directly relates to the well being and capabilities of their staff and will be boosted by their personal investment in people to build relationship and trust.
Hey, stop imagining, the new age starts with you.
Turn Up The Heat
The only way to avoid the big freeze is to turn up the heat by embracing the demands of change.
It means looking at your business and the market place, listening to your customers, taking the odd risk, experimenting with different tools, technologies and techniques, making time for people and learning.
Above all, it means each of us avoiding those comfortable ruts of "same old same old" and ushering in "change", one step at a time.
Thank you for liking this page.
Tim Simpson
25th October, 2019
#LifeAtCapgemini