3 July Synergy of Business Assumptions (...fit...)

[Paul Terlemezian]

In order for training to be successful it must navigate its way through a complex system of businesses.

 

The internal training function is a business within a business. (two businesses)

 

The external provider to an internal training function needs to be aware of its own business as well as the two businesses that it is providing to. (three businesses)

 

A strategic training alliance represents two or more business providing services to the internal training function (four businesses)

 

Each business has its environment, mission and competencies to understand and blend with the other businesses that it seeks to work with.

 

This is complex.

 

Training is complex from a decision making perspective if it is to be successful. When trainnig is simplified it can be commoditized and easy to "cut" during "difficult" times.

 

Being complex is not the goal - achieving success for the business (which business?) is the goal.

 

Now lets make this even more complex:

 

The internal training function serves many internal business lines and is often a component of the HR function (add another business to each of the above numbers.)

 

Each business line also serves its clients (another business) either directly or via strategic alliances (add another business or two to each of the above numbers.)

 

Each business line (including the training function and the provider to the training function) may have "internal" business components that are business and that "compete" with each other for resources and the ability to service the client. And each component has employees - each of whom is a "business" (environment, mission, competencies.)

 

And of course the client and partner businesses have these further sub-business complexities as well.

 

This is a complex. How do you assure (i.e. predict) the success of complex systems?

 

Do you know what Drucker has to say about this? (Hint: 30 March Nature of Complex Systems.)

 

"complex systems do not allow prediction"

 

Rather than predict - we should "manage." What do you think?