Some years ago, I worked for a multinational that struggled to move fast. While our competitors responded quickly to changing markets and embraced new technologies, our leaders hesitated, unsure of what their next move should be.
By the time they settled on their response, the company had lost a lot of ground. But we were not alone. Some well-known brands have suffered an even worse fate. Take Borders, formerly one of my favorite bookshops...
Big firms with hierarchical structures find it hard to move at the pace required by today’s business environment. That’s why the message in "Accelerate" by John P. Kotter is so apt. Kotter says that they need a dual operating system – an agile network, running alongside the conventional hierarchy – to stay ahead of the pack.
But this new structure will only work if you can find the right people to staff it. This audio clip, from our review of Accelerate, presents some of Kotter’s advice on the matter.
Listen to the full Book Insight in the Mind Tools Club ¦ Install Flash Player.
Accelerate helps organizations to respond to opportunities quickly, without losing sight of day-to-day demands. If you'd like to learn more, find it in our Book Insight section.
Question: What opportunities or threats does your organization face and could a dual operating system help? Join the discussion below!
It's the age-old question senior members of the team always ask themselves... "What makes a good leader?" and "Am I one?" Speaking from personal experience, it's a tricky question to answer. I've had great leaders. Ones that have inspired me, guided me, and from whom I've learned a great deal. They're the ones that listened […]
In turbulent times, mid-to-long-term planning lets you and your organization focus on the things you can control – and at least be aware of the things you can't. Get it right, and you'll keep a handle on who you are as a company, what you want to achieve, how you’re going to do that, by when, and with what effect. And you'll spot some of the difficulties and dangers ahead.
When we're less preoccupied with our own accomplishments, we have more time and energy to think about others. Humility is therefore a highly desirable trait in any leader.
I think the following recorded Webinar complement this post.(http://www.meirc.com/articles/7-tips-for-successful-six-sigma-implementation
Thanks Jamal for the link. I'll go check it out.
This link is no longer available
Hi Phil,
Thanks for flagging that up. Can you please let me know which one you are specifically referring to? I have just tried all the links in the article and they work for me so not sure which one you are referring to.