“He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution, which rejects progress, is the cemetery. “~Harold Wilson

My consulting takes me sometimes to organizations that seem to love the status quo. They will cling to it, fight for it, and drown anyone who tries to rock their boat. It is not easy. My role is made even more difficult by the fact that I am usually being hired in order to look into this status quo and initiate changes.

Organizational Change

I normally ask; why these things are being done this way? Alternatively, why does the system go that way and not the other way? The typical answers I get: Well, you have to admit that things are as they are. Followed by a frowned forehead and shrug of a shoulder. Why do people react that way? For the last 5 years, that continues to puzzle me. No matter how prepared you are to preclude objections and have clarified your objectives, people will naturally resist change.

Read the rest of this entry »

When was the last time you made a bad career or business decision? What were the consequences? Really bad huh. But the most important thing is what have you learned from it?

On his first day at work, young newly MBA Graduate COO (Child Of the Owner ^_^) approached his Boss (his dad actually, the CEO and owner of the Company) and asked what is the key to succeed in their business. The Boss simply replied, “By making good decisions, son. “ “That’s quite easy,” the son remarked, and asked, “But how do you make good decisions, dad?” The Boss promptly replied, “By making bad decisions, son.”

There is a ring of truth in there. It is said that a great education or intelligence is not a guarantee to succeed in business or any career. While those are important, they are not entirely the keys to success. What you need to have is foresight and hindsight.

Read the rest of this entry »