|
|
|
|
|
Published by Creatness, Brisbane Australia, ©Copyright 2011 www.creatness.com |
|
'The Business Context in the Twenty-First Century' It is fair to say the Twenty-First Century, like the Twentieth Century is likely to pose very different challenges to the one before it. The pace of change at so many levels accelerates with every decade, every year. Some of the hallmarks of the context of business in this century are: 1. Constant Change. Paradoxically, change appears to be only constant in this century. This change will be at many levels, technological, social, economic, political, environmental. Our ability to handle and drive change will be a key determinant of success. Clinging to processes, systems, technologies, ideas, ways of thinking and seeing from the past will not help us in the future- they will not help us drive change. 2. Creativity and Innovation. We can best drive change through creativity and innovation at both the individual and organisational levels. Success is therefore dependent on strong, integrated creativity and innovation. Yet today, how many businesses have a dedicated division or dedicated manager focused just on creativity and innovation? This is creativity not just at the level of product development, such as through Research and Development, but more widely including innovation at the managerial, executive and governance levels? 3. Globalisation. We already have global markets for large businesses, but this will extend to small and medium businesses. Globalisation will impact all aspects of the business, ranging from outsourcing, new customers, new competitors, and new and challenging ideas or approaches to business. Globalisation will accelerate the pace of change. It therefore makes creativity and innovation even more important as a key driver of success. 4. Complex, Extensive Social and Environmental Problems. Globalisation especially will create more complex problems. They will not be linear problems. They will be extensive problems which will reveal the inter-connectedness of us as people, and all levels of thinking and activity, broadly, the economic, social and environmental. For example, an international gold mining company operating in a developing nation will need very carefully balance economic, social and environmental concerns. It will soon not be good enough if it merely succeeds as the economic level at the expense of the environment or social issues or both. Shareholders, employees, contractors and the public at large will want more from such companies and see these things as minimum requirements. The proactive mining company will quickly see this and will want to creatively come up with solutions to this now tetra-headed problem. A proactive mining company will integrate social and environmental values and purposes into its long term vision and mission. The company’s people at all levels will embody these creative values and ideas. Their people will rise with this stronger purpose, they will work harder, more efficiently and be more committed to the organisation and these higher ideas in the long term. 5. People Connected and Empowered. Internet and other technologies, such as Facebook and Twitter have made all people around the world more connect. This connection allows the free and fast flow of ideas, opinions and information. This connection can allow people to organise themselves quickly around a central idea and put pressure on governments and businesses to change. This connection and empowerment will mean that poorly performing businesses are less likely to succeed. This connection and empowerment will mean that business must serve their customers better to succeed. People will demand businesses succeed at all levels, including the social and environmental levels because these levels will, through globalisation, impact more people’s lives more than ever. Lee M.Spano,2011 Time Management Feature- 'Monthly Cycles' Over the years we have tried nearly all of the time management systems available. From paper based systems to complex electronic systems, and everything else in between. Yet we have found monthly cyclical planning to be the most effective. Weeks are often too short, and quarters or annual planning are too long. Monthly cycles provide the pivot that balances short term actions with longer term planning. Monthly cycles have a basis in nature and are linked to several mathematical theories. In any system, remember to keep things simple. Here is an overview of a system we use and related quick tips:
This system allows provides you with a powerful system where you can see your short term and long term planning at a glance, quickly. It provides flexibility and ease of use. It is both 'top down' and 'bottom up', which is important because we often want to work from both directions at different times. The system also overcomes the problem of lengthy, unstructured To Do lists, which are often disconnected from longer term planning documents. This is a common problem with databases, such as Outlook and all the personal information managers in the marketplace, which just give us loose lists, rather than structured, yet fluid planning systems. This system therefore provides a neat balance for left and right brain thinking. Lee M.Spano,2011
'The
Power of One Idea in Business'
The corporation of the Twenty-First Century will be organised around the power of one key idea. This draws on ancient thinking. The human mind and spirit is empowered by a powerful idea. Conversely, it is disempowered by a weak or negative idea or feeling. Fear and doubt do not empower us. Faith and certainty empower us. Sometimes, fear and doubt may help us learn to think in terms of faith and certainty. But it is quicker to just start from faith and certainty. An Olympian cannot succeed she does not have unwavering self belief. She will not win gold if she does not believe it first. When she believes it, magic then occurs. The creative and subconscious mind is engaged to reach this goal. It will come up with ideas, ways, methods, hard work routines to achieve this goal. If you are a business owner or manager, by now your Business Plan will have something under the header of ‘Vision’ or ‘Mission’. But is it just something narrow, such as ‘to be the best at x’ or to ‘reach profit target y’ or to ‘produce at target z’? These are just materiam and volume things. The vision and mission of your business must be directly and primarily aimed at some social, environmental or higher purpose. It must be focused at solving some pressing problem. This one idea will give you and your organisation a limitless power, purpose, values, identity and meaning, which can survive and empower generations. Money alone will not do this. Money and material things only flow as the means to achieve this one important idea. Money flows to help people solve peoples’ problems. Material things flow towards, or are attracted to, more powerful non material ideas. These are ancient, creative principles. They are what makes things work. They are the origin of ‘order’. If your business only has material or financial visions or missions, then it is less likely to succeed. If it has a very powerful non material idea or problem as its main focus, then it will attract money, resources and material things to achieve this end or solve the particular problem. People will be drawn to your organisation. People, such as employees, contractors, associates and even investors. This is not to say your business should lack financial or business discipline and meet these objectives, but ‘luck’, ‘opportunity’ will more likely flow your way because of your vision or mission. Why? Because 'it serves'. Lee M.Spano,2011 Suggested Breakthrough Reading
Each edition from the many, many books we
examine and review, we feature a few 'breakthrough' books for suggested
reading for our clients and visitors. Many of these books are classics or
they break important new ground, and so should be part of your personal or
professional library.
For further information, or to have someone contact you, please visit our Enquiries page.
|
|
Version
7.1
Website Design and
Creative Content:
©Copyright
2003 to 2011 Creatness. All rights
reserved.
www.creatness.com
|
R
i
S E
Launch of our new blog site:
