Skip to main content

Size matters


Could it be that "best intentions" would not be enough to chip through the hardened exterior of this organizations habits, thought Frustrated Frank.  As the digital transformation honeymoon period slipped into the rear-view mirror, the burden of change seemed to settle into place. 



Frank, it is no longer about the tools, instead it is each person's rationalization of why these tools will make them stronger; habits are challenging, continued Andy.  On one hand, if it works why fix it, and the other hand growth requires continuous innovation.  The organizational structure has an impact, flat organizations require compelling reasons to change.  For instance, significant pain points within the business resulting in lost revenue, market or corporate dictated edicts.  Without these, change lacks a sense of urgency and is at the discretion of the local management, the larger the operation, the greater the number of management layers, the higher probability of lackluster adoption.



Often, larger branches; flush with sales and work are focused acutely on execution and elect to defer change.  Whereas the smaller branches are always seeking an edge, they do not have the momentum of the larger branch.  Thus, adoption and use of new tools are welcomed as clear differentiators, as opposed to perceived distractors.  The approach may also be different; those with high work volume may not want to see and assess options, instead simply receive training; small branches may want a stronger “consultative” approach, plant the seed and help it grow.  These behaviors may also be observed from department to department within a branch.  In 2018, the people component is the largest contributor or detractor influencing successful adoption.  Thanks, said Frank, your perspectives have provided me with fresh ideas.



Innovation flourishes in communities were individuals are encouraged to challenge the norm and direction.  At what point is it appropriate to say, we have chosen a path and will stick with it, where is the balance between empowerment and leadership?  Managing polarization and moving beyond the rhetorical simplicity of prioritizing one value over all others or a false-choice narrative that freezes action-oriented debate into prolonged indecision.  You are either on the gas or the brakes, winning has no room for those simply coasting.  How are you driving sustainable adoption?



-----

Next post:  assess me?

Thoughts?  feel free to leave replies or direct message

See all of the "last mile worker" posts here:  http://lastmileworkersolutions.com

-----

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

resilience, do you believe?

Seeking out the closest spot to the door of the office was not a common practice; however, at 07:00 on August 24th, 2022 the temperature was already 96' and 98% humidity.   The building would have a hell of a time keeping up today, rolling black-outs and brown-outs would be inevitable.   It likely won't be an outright equipment shut-down, instead we will have to endure the impending "brown-out" conditions, a slow, low voltage and high amperage stressing of our electrical infrastructure and connected systems. Our deliberate and continuous leverage of Industrial IoT (IIoT) technology and the companion AI prescriptive models have positioned us well. It had to be around the year 2018 when we invested in IIoT.   Heck, most were comparing our endeavors to the "Nest" thermostat, a pioneer (yet very fundamental) entrée into home-based IoT.   Naysayers were laughing that we would never see the benefits; however, our fragile National infrastructure and Mothe...

is your "score", you?

Avid Andy begins to wonder if he may be schizophrenic.   Or could it be a sign of true genius when he can see a problem from all sides? Andy was reflecting on a service meeting that happened last week.   Conversation was around our ability to objectively measure things and make better decisions. At the center of almost any measurement environment are the fundamentals of math. To determine priority or influence, it seems logical when dealing with inanimate objects like sensors, assets, and sites in a portfolio to move towards "point-based systems". The real dilemma for Andy seemed to comes when we begin scoring humans and letting pre-determined algorithms establish an individuals path. Our service meeting quickly changed from tactical to philosophical discussions and one of the technicians, Pragmatic Paul, made mention of a black mirror program (Netflix) named "Nosedive".    In this futuristic episode, an individuals score dictates their behavior and those ...

In$pired

As the steam from Avid Andy's coffee fogged his glasses on this crisp January morning, he reflected on last year and thought enthusiastically about the year ahead.   Sometimes the noise of business is deafening, we rarely take the time to contemplate our moves, instead are often thrown one direction or another.   Hey, face it, if you are reading posts to gain perspective you fall in the group of folks who pride themselves as obsequious hoop-jumpers.   We live to help others and expect that all of those around us feel the same way.   I just love Influential Irene.   Okay, it is out in the open, she is an inspiration for me and so many others.   Irene reminds folks every year, without fail, these three statements which she fondly refers to as "the punchline" (although this is no joke).   Businesses, of any size, will be successful if they remember that it is people that make a company.   Put this advice into practice, today: Sincerity |...