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Showing posts from July, 2010

FOCUS ON THE NEW WAY OF WORKING

Last week I attended a webinar with Gary Hamel. He mentioned the following challenges, which trigger the need for management innovation: Accelerating change Intensifying competition Diminishing differentiation Growing mistrust I would like to add these observations: Increasing globalization Standardizing social media Integrating technology Collaboration between generations Let’s have a quick look into each of them. Ad 1. You could say that this is an open door. However we still have not learned to cope with change in an effective and efficient way. Many researches indicate that most change efforts do not bring the required results. Especially when it concerns personal change. Leaders and managers still do think that they are doing fine and that only the employees need to change. Ad 2. The marketplace is becoming more and more crowded. And it will even become more crowded as many unemployed cannot find jobs and start their own business. Also the demographic growth means t

CONNECT OR PERISH

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 It looks like there is a dichotomy growing at many different levels (communities; business; society). A dichotomy between: ·       Supporters of the old/current system   and supporter s of a new system ·       Old generations and young people ·       Guardians of the establishment and radicals ·       Specialists and generalists ·       Hierarchies and networks ·       Bosses and employees ·       Governments and the masses I can continue with this list, but the point is that it looks like the divide is broadening, rather that that we are busy building bridges to connect these ‘two worlds’. The more we try to convince the establishment that they have to change the more they will resists and the more it will frustrate the revolutionaries. This is not a healthy trend. What is needed is an open attitude on both sides with the intention of creating solutions. And solutions are needed badly for many of today’s’ challenges, like the environment (see the gulf oil spill and the role BP

BUSINESS NEEDS A REFRESHER COURSE

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In many professions (doctors, dentists, lawyers, judges, coaches) you need to follow, at least yearly, a refresher course. Otherwise you will loose your license or certificate. The goals of these refresher courses is to train on the new developments in the their respective field. These can be new methodologies, new laws, new procedures, and new ways of working. There is benefit for both the participants (they keep up to date with their knowledge) as well as the customers (they receive the latest, proven treatment). So, wouldn’t it be a good idea to institutionalize this also for managers and leaders in business? Businesses have a huge influence in our society, often more than even governments. Leaders are co-responsible for the wellbeing of their people and their respective families. And I would say that the most changes happen in this area. There is ongoing newness in technology, regulations, standards, communications, employee relations, stakeholders, personal motivation, sustai