Traditional Corporate Animals are Edging Closer to Extinction
2003 Spring Newsletter  

-- reprinted by Nashville Business Journal
Sept. 9, 2003  Guest Commentary

Oh, the perils that befall the men and women of business who have not evolved—groups of which do not develop the attributes needed to adapt to our changing business environment. The Discovery Channel is working on a documentary, but until that wraps, I’d like to offer some personal observations.

MANAGEMENT PITFALLS

Endangered: This group holds fast to traditional ‘executive/subordinate’ roles within the pack. It is often observed missing opportunities to improve efficiency and the bottom line due to unculled relationships. Members are characterized by a fear of leaving their territory and commonly avoid outsourcing.

Survivors: This group has evolved into a relaxed environment. Members often encourage and consider suggestions from underlings. They will review work in the trenches, use new approaches for old patterns, and apply new methods to vendor support, staffing and administration.

CONDITIONED LEARNING

Endangered: This group rarely identifies educational opportunities, outside of universities or company-led training. It also rarely examines company strategy or its own working habits.

Survivors: This group will hunt for education in camouflaged varieties: networking sessions, speakers at industry associations, and presentations by their own company or competition. Members often seek opportunities to review company strategy to gain environmental savvy, whether in that particular business or a broader industry.

SELECTIVE ADAPTATION

Endangered: This group possesses big brains and no claws. Members may have the ability to elaborate on company strategy and goals, but lack the ability to incorporate them into their daily routine. They are often observed strutting like peacocks and developing lengthy memos, with no practical tools for action.

Survivors: This group is alert to the environment and the pack as well as their own survival. Members operate with big picture thinking, consider new approaches, and have an intuitive understanding of how to implement goals. They are visionaries with pragmatic approaches.

Up and down the organizational chart today, there is increased mobility and often less time invested in our companies -- the 20-year employee is quite a rare breed. Because of this employee instability, the entire organization has to be ready for rapid change. It's the only way to avoid extinction.  # # # #