POISON - PITS AND PREDATORS 051012

POISON - PITS AND PREDATORS

One of the tasks a shepherd must perform is to insure that the flock is protected from the dangers in the pasture.  There are poisonous plants, pits into which the sheep can fall and then predators.  The shepherd has to carefully examine the pasture he or she intends to use before letting the sheep roam.

What does that mean in the business world?  One thing I've seen that could stand a close examination is the "latest and neatest." phenomenon.  You know, the latest gizmo or software, the neatest theory in leadership or customer service.  It takes a lot more examination than we typically give these things to discover the dangers.

Though the dangers are usually not life or death they do bear a direct impact on satisfaction and comfort which impact efficiency and productivity which impact the bottom line.

We have to keep in mind that when we are approached with a product or service that will, "revolutionize," how we do things, it will by default create the chaos - however brief - that accompanies change.  We also have to keep in mind that the seller probably has little idea of what our specific needs are.  They "think" their product will make things better but neither they now we know that for a fact.

In terms of, "making things," better or more efficient, what things are they telling us will be better?  I may improve the way my staff gathers information or keeps records while laying a greater and unnecessary burden on them.  Add to that the fact that the seller can not define what better of more efficient will look like specifically for me and we're kinda looking at a pig in a poke.

The recent popularity of tablet computing is a case in point.  Though not severely limited there are enough limitations to make a difference.  It is sold on what it can do not what it can't.  But, if the decision is made that everyone gets a tablet everyone has to figure out how to do the "wont's."  Everyone is hindered - potentially to the detriment of previous performance.

Also - something seen with the tablet movement is the downloading (though not terribly expensively) of apps in order to discover what they don't do.

A pasture (neat idea, funky gizmo or efficient process) can appear a wonderful answer to an organizations objective needs while at the same time being a danger to its subjective needs.  

I get a kick out of "previewers," for the latest and greatest.  Many get neat free stuff just for their review.  Now I'm not saying this slants their review but why don't buyers get a chance to review stuff as well.  Many times I have seen clients purchase a service or a piece of equipment or software only to discover it created more work, cause more frustration and poisoned the environment.

Changes - all changes - are like moving to a new pasture.  The Shepherd needs to carefully check that pasture for poisons, pitfalls and predators before leading the sheep into it.  Yes, you're right, you won't catch everything but what you do catch can make a big difference to the health of the flock.