Monday, November 13, 2006

Change happens.

Dean and I both have strategy meetings going on this week, so we've both been thinking about corporate vision and strategy. Gordon sent over a great link to Survival is not enough by Seth Godin. I haven't read the book yet, but he makes some great points. Like most business books though, half the points are worthless; the rest are case studies. Good of Mr. Godin to bulletize his to book for me though, saves time.

Here is my even shorter synopsis of his short summary:

  • Change happens. Technology has caused change to happen faster than it used to.
  • Corporations that don't change, get defeated
  • Companies that introduce a different product to market quickly may find that they can create a 'runaway' success
  • People (bosses and employees) fear change. Change is different, and human instinct avoids differences, prefering habit. But not changing is actually worse. (ed note: See "Who Moved My Cheese")
  • Change presents opportunities for individuals, and for companies to grow
  • Companies need to have a culture of "Change equals opportunity" rather than "Change equals death" (or change equals risk?)
  • Companies should try to 'evolve'. Change is constant. Better to create a culture of change than to create a 'change plan'. A change plan is an oxymoron.
  • A company that has a culture of change, attracts individuals that seek change, opportunities, and new capabilities.

1 comment:

Simon Dugard said...

My motto has become "evolve or become extinct". Sure, you run the risk of mutating into something that isn't going to survive, but if you don't change, you're definately not going to survive.