Timeless lessons in management.
Fundamental Paradigm Shifts
Paradigms are basic assumptions about reality. They shape what we define as “fact” and how we see the world.
The 21st century brings new social, economic, and demographic realities that are in conflict with the old ways of thinking and acting.
The Challenge of Knowledge Worker Productivity
In the 20th century, management’s critical focus was on improving manual workers’ productivity using production equipment. In the 21st century, the focus is on maximizing the productivity of knowledge work and knowledge workers.
It’s more complex to improve knowledge-worker productivity. You need six key factors, most of which are the opposite of what’s required for manual work: Defining the task clearly, taking responsibility for results, continuous innovation, learning/teaching on the job, defining/measuring quality and treating knowledge workers as capital assets (not costs).
Paradigm Shifts Of the 21st Century
Management is essential in any type of organization, be it a church, school or business. Managers play a vital role in organizing their teams/resources to suit the task at hand, bringing out the best in each person, and figuring out how to create the greatest customer value across the entire economic value chain (regardless of geographical boundaries).
The 4 Requirements of a Change Leader
Institute policies to shape the future, including the use of “organized abandonment” and “organized improvement” to keep directing your resources to the top opportunities.
Use systematic innovation by regularly scanning the environment and proactively converting changes into opportunities to innovate.
Use piloting to introduce changes since breakthrough ideas and solutions can’t be validated through conventional market research or modeling.
balance between the need for change and continuity (or stability).
The Ultimate Buck Stopping Place
Management is ultimately responsible for everything that affects the organization’s performance, regardless of whether it’s internal or external, within or beyond the organization’s control.
Build Sound Strategies based on Certainties
- Birth rates in developed countries will continue to fall.
- The labour pool will shrink, its median age will increase, and there’ll be pressures for more migrant workers.
- Organizations must find ways to attract & tap on a new pool of older knowledge workers who work part-time instead of retiring fully.
Addressing the New Information Challenges
For 50 years, the information revolution focused on gathering, storing, and presenting data. Computers have already transformed how we operate or perform our tasks.
The new Information Revolution in the 21st century will shift from the “T” to the “I” in “IT.” It will no longer be about technology or systems, but how we interpret, organize, and use information to make better decisions, manage risks, and create value.
The Challenge of Managing Oneself: Five Questions
- What are my unique strengths? Use Feedback Analysis to learn your strengths, how you perform, and what your values are.
- Where do I belong? Identify the right opportunities that fit your unique strengths, personality and values.
- What should my contribution be? How can you make the biggest contribution and the results that’d make a difference?
- How can I take relationship responsibility?
- What will I do with the second half of my life?
Focus On What The Customer Is Paying
Don’t just focus on revenues or market share. Focus on your share of customers’ disposable income (and if it’s increasing or decreasing). This shows if you’re in a growing, mature, or declining industry to direct your strategy.
The Truths Of The Coming Century
In developed countries, large portions of publicly listed corporations are now owned by pension or mutual funds investing people’s retirement funds. This calls for a new definition of performance and long-term shareholder interests.
It’s no longer enough to rely on low costs or government subsidies or protection. For long-term survival, organizations must be competitive globally.
