08 March Turbulence: Threat or Opportunity (...spoon.)

[Paul Terlemezian]

The more turbulent the times - the more opportunity there will be for the corporate training function to show its value. The good news is that turbulence is likely to be "normal" for quite a while. The bad news is that we may not be structured to succeed in turbulent times. It's similar to the game of "whip" we played on frozen ponds. The closer you were to the center - the less the turbulence dismays you.

 

Here is Drucker's advice:

 

1. Stay lean - avoid being encumbered by skill sets and resources that are made obsolete by change. Staff (people and facilities) to some percentage of peak demand and then supplement by renting/contractng for peaks.

 

2. Manage Time - maintain a constant focus on productivity improvement

 

3. Manage Growth - invest in areas where growth will lead to productivity gains

 

4. Develop People - they will sense the change and if they are not being developed they may assume that they headed towards becoming obsolete

 

This applies to our Internal customers as well as to the training staff.

 

 

[Paul Terlemezian]

As you seek to increase your effectiveness in managing during turbulent times (is there really ever a non-turbulent time?) you may find the rules for Smart Simplicity to be useful - https://www.ted.com/talks/yves_morieux_as_work_gets_more_complex_6_...