If you’re like me, you may have been stuck on how we were going to reclaim business leadership from those countries that are producing tech-savvy engineers who are now creating companies that seem to be taking over every industry. This change has caused me a lot of concern; I couldn’t see how we were going to become number one again.
I finally figured out what was going on and now I’m not worried anymore.
The advantage those other guys have and the problem we have to overcome are really the same thing; as opposite sides of the same coin.
Those fast-growing countries are starting with nothing in place. There are very few successful companies, very few experienced executives and managers, almost no proven systems, techniques, or practices in place, and dozens of enthusiastic workers willing to apply whatever works best. These companies are working on a clean sheet of paper; they are applying new ways of handling data, digesting information, analyzing problems, and designing solutions. They have no past to replace, no investment in old systems to consider salvaging, no employees to fight change, and no management caught up in yesterday’s fast-fading success.
We have all the old stuff to move, go over, or go under. We have to prove that each change is better and by how much (what is the annualized ROI?) We have thousands of experienced employees, managers and executives sitting on the floor convinced that the old way is best.
These features not only frustrate older companies in their quest to join the new millennium, but also prevent the youngsters that are emerging from really getting a bite in the apple.
That is why entrepreneurship is such a hot topic today. These young men, finding no accommodation at the inn, have gone to work in the stable. And once they settle in, they bring in every new piece of identifiable technology they can find and put all those pieces to work on projects of their choosing.
These newcomers don’t care about ROI, risk analysis, or source-and-use spreadsheets; they worry about doing things that have not been done before. They worry about succeeding in what they want to do.
The battles that our local businesses have faced and are facing are difficult. Over the past ten years, many executives, managers, and employees have had to unlearn things to give new things a chance to show what can be done. Some did, some didn’t and are no longer employed. These battles are not over, but they are getting easier.
Every day there are more newcomers to the business world with big dreams, high hopes and no history to overcome. Every day more veterans, whether by election or by board, are moving on to their next place in life. Every day newcomers show old horses still interested and willing to learn how to do things differently.
Every day more companies turn the corner of technology; improve productivity and get back on track to reclaim our place as the world’s number one economic engine.
what does this mean to you?
If you are a business owner or manager, constantly update your skills. Motivate those who work with you and for you to do the same. To quote Dr. Collin from his book “Good to Great”, get the wrong people off the bus, put the right people on the bus and in the right seats, and then let the bus choose the best path for them. travel your business
Yes, I feel better with us than I have in a long time.
The author can be contacted at http://www.businessstrategyartconsoli.com