Comments on: Design-Based Strategy http://tonymorganlive.com/2005/05/02/design-based-strategy/ Get Your Strategy On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:23:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Tony Morgan http://tonymorganlive.com/2005/05/02/design-based-strategy/#comment-22 Tony Morgan Wed, 04 May 2005 09:01:34 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=21#comment-22 John, you're hilarious. He's referring to June 1 because that's the target date for over a dozen "hot projects" that my team is currently working on. We're hoping to time the completion to coincide with the opening of the new auditorium. Some of the changes will be very visible, and some of them won't be noticable to the outside world. Some of them are still "top secret," so I can't blog about the list yet. I'll have to wait and give you an update in a couple of weeks. That aside...I think I agree with you John, however, projects generate momentum for change. Especially with operations functions, I think change is critical because the tendency would be to fall into efficiency mode (maintenance) and avoid taking risks that might lead to radical improvements. Efficiency-only doesn't work in a fast-growing organization. That's why I still think we need "hot projects." Now get back to work! June 1 is less than a month away. :-) John, you’re hilarious. He’s referring to June 1 because that’s the target date for over a dozen “hot projects” that my team is currently working on. We’re hoping to time the completion to coincide with the opening of the new auditorium. Some of the changes will be very visible, and some of them won’t be noticable to the outside world. Some of them are still “top secret,” so I can’t blog about the list yet. I’ll have to wait and give you an update in a couple of weeks.

That aside…I think I agree with you John, however, projects generate momentum for change. Especially with operations functions, I think change is critical because the tendency would be to fall into efficiency mode (maintenance) and avoid taking risks that might lead to radical improvements. Efficiency-only doesn’t work in a fast-growing organization. That’s why I still think we need “hot projects.”

Now get back to work! June 1 is less than a month away. :-)

]]> By: John DeBoer http://tonymorganlive.com/2005/05/02/design-based-strategy/#comment-21 John DeBoer Tue, 03 May 2005 23:36:09 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=21#comment-21 I think Roger Martin (author of the Fast Company article)is close, but is not quite getting it. While he touches on some valid points, such as the need for innovation and creative thinking, he misses the big picture that the real gains in business (and church) are happening because those organizations know how to manage processes. Organizing around projects still leaves room for disjointed flows; managing processes allows an organization to view the entire playing field and see "end to end". The businesses (and churches) that stand out in the future will be those that can move agilely between processes. But more about this after June 1st... I think Roger Martin (author of the Fast Company article)is close, but is not quite getting it. While he touches on some valid points, such as the need for innovation and creative thinking, he misses the big picture that the real gains in business (and church) are happening because those organizations know how to manage processes. Organizing around projects still leaves room for disjointed flows; managing processes allows an organization to view the entire playing field and see “end to end”. The businesses (and churches) that stand out in the future will be those that can move agilely between processes.

But more about this after June 1st…

]]> By: Tony Morgan http://tonymorganlive.com/2005/05/02/design-based-strategy/#comment-20 Tony Morgan Tue, 03 May 2005 23:08:20 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=21#comment-20 Couldn't agree with you more, Brad. And, of course, my current read (Now Discover Your Strengths) confirms what you've identified as a key area of opportunity for most organizations. Good stuff. Couldn’t agree with you more, Brad. And, of course, my current read (Now Discover Your Strengths) confirms what you’ve identified as a key area of opportunity for most organizations. Good stuff.

]]> By: Brad Hinman http://tonymorganlive.com/2005/05/02/design-based-strategy/#comment-19 Brad Hinman Tue, 03 May 2005 12:03:15 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=21#comment-19 In order to be about “devising clever solutions to wickedly difficult problems", I think organizations need to do a better job of placing people into the right role. Too often, people are underutilized because no attention is given to personality, passion, skills, talents, etc. It’s good for everyone involved when an individual has found his or her niche. We need better systems for identifying and placing people into the role that fits best. In order to be about “devising clever solutions to wickedly difficult problems”, I think organizations need to do a better job of placing people into the right role. Too often, people are underutilized because no attention is given to personality, passion, skills, talents, etc. It’s good for everyone involved when an individual has found his or her niche. We need better systems for identifying and placing people into the role that fits best.

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