February 25, 2010
Confidence in Operational Convictions
Copernicus waited nearly 30 years before publishing his correct conclusion that indeed the sun -- not the earth -- resided at the center of our solar system. He expressed his uncertainty and resulting hesitation to publicize his theory in a statement to a friend that, "Although I know the thoughts of a philosopher do not depend on the judgment of the many, yet when I considered how absurd my doctrine would appear, I long hesitated whether I should publish my book." He relayed concerns to another colleague about opening himself up to potential scorn on account of the model’s “novelty and incomprehensibility.”
In many business environments, yesterday’s conventional thinking effectively placed the earth at the center of our operating “systems.” Today, we’ve accepted the reality of a fundamentally different macro-operating environment, and continue to grapple with the new implications for our businesses’ individual orbits toward growth.
Because today’s executives don’t have the luxury of waiting decades to state (and act upon) their operational convictions, it is critical to continually challenge the base assumptions of your business to ensure these convictions still hold water. This strategic exercise should include an analysis of:
- The perceived value of your products by customers and prospects
- The interconnectedness and reliability of the supply chain
- The focus of research and development and other innovation-related priorities
- The potential impact of socio-political forces on your business
A regular review of your business’s place in the new world order can facilitate better business process and organizational design decision-making.
Posted by Application Administrator at 02/25/2010 07:05:19 AM |