Another paradigm being destroyed is pay based on seniority, cost of living increases, job title, entitlement, or responsibilities. Companies link team rewards and individual pay to project and process performance. Individual and team objectives are also aligned with the company’s strategic vision and mission to inspire and reward new work habits.
Only a couple of years ago, a company was very contrite when it selectively downsized. Now, this is a normal part of business. Welcome to the world of churning. That (churning) may sound cold, but get used to it. Companies are disrupting themselves. They are firing and hiring at the same time, dumping outmoded or …
The auto industry already outsources up to 70% of its manufacturing to suppliers, but now we’re seeing companies outsource all their non-core processes. More functions and activities are being outsourced. Information technology is one function that lends itself to massive outsourcing. Hilton Hotels farms out the lion’s share of its $12 million information technology (IT) …
As the velocity of technology increases, organizations and Brand U’s adapt and anticipate these changes. The problem is the essence of a company and an organization is being challenged. Companies, organizations, and institutions have a body of culture, values, principles, and infrastructure that seem to value the status quo in direct challenge to the acceleration …
Several years ago, American companies were being hammered for failing to meet the competitive challenges posed by Japanese and European companies. US companies went on a quality and then a cost cutting binge. To keep up with change and become competitive, companies reengineered, restructured, outsourced, rightsized, cut to core processes, trained everyone in new technologies, …
Successful big corporations should devolve into becoming ‘confederations of entrepreneurs.’ Norman McCrae, Editor
All companies have their day of reckoning. Levi-Strauss recently slipped when it lost market share particularly among younger consumers. It slashed its North American work force by 34% and closed almost a third of its US plants. The Wall Street Journal noted that “after more than a century of dominance, Levi’s had grown complacent, ceding …
“Yashushi Takimoto hops onto an escalator in a Toyota showroom and surveys the trappings of his new job. Over there are the video screens he must keep going all day. Above, there’s a tiny concert space where he helps set up chairs.” And, the work challenges continue. He must fill a tiny bubble machine …
Recently, there was an ad for Putnam Investments: “You think you understand the situation, but what you don’t understand is that the situation just changed.” Amen! When I think I’ve just got it, ‘got’ and ‘it’ both change. It’s scary and at the same time exciting – the thrill of being a Brand U. Work …
Leaderless organization? Is that an oxymoron? A popular work metaphor is the orchestra leader. This person more often than not imposes his/her vision on the group. In Orpheus, the orchestra encourages each player to lead, to be heard and to listen for the common good. This does not mean that members are passive. Orchestra …