The Rapid Response Institute

Tag: behavior

  • An Era of Hate

    An Era of Hate

    Incredible!! The level of hate as shown on any media today is just that, incredible.  Thieving, beating, sexual abusing and murdering seem taken as the “New Normal.”  Young people are throwing away future careers as they appear in the omnipresent media shouting hate towards one group.  Wearing masks simply make them look like common criminals.  What are they thinking, comes to mind.

    DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) fads appear to be fading even as their original definitions are lost.  This pundit has been in the workforce since 1974 and before that the military experience.  To say I have seen it all is an understatement.  Well run organizations adhere to the original tenets of these two business/social models

    That said, my perspective follows:

    Servant Leadership

    With a focus on people, this leadership style seeks to develop all individuals and get the best out of cross cultural teams.

    • Diversity–We live in a world of over 8 Billion people.  We all know the level of diverse cultures, lifestyle and locales.  The likelihood that one organization is composed of all of one type is farcical.  So get over it!
    • Equity–Everyone wants to be treated fairly.  A company I was with was acquired.  The culture divided the employees into two groups.  Those who were hired directly and those who transitioned as a result of M&A activities.  As might be expected the mergers were most dilutive (huge employee turnover) and eventually that organization was eaten by an even bigger fish.  More like Lose–Lose!
    • Inclusion–People want to be included and allowed to contribute even if they are awkward about it.  One of the best true stories on this subject is depicted in the 2004 television movie, Something the Lord Made.  Two very different men in a racially challenged Jim Crow era were able to get past many issues and developed a solution for a deadly infant disease.  If you have not seen it; well worth your time.
    Stewardship

    One definition by Michael Barber; “Stewardship is leaving a system better than you found it,” is a very powerful statement.  Our Blog of April 25, 2022, ESG Explained defined these terms:

    • Environmental–Generally refers to the stewardship of the planet and how organizations facilitate that responsibility.
    • Social–Facilitating organizational responsibility to the global society, at all levels from the globe to the local communities firms operate in.
    • (Corporate) Governance–Typically, the umbrella organizations put in place to assure issues such as transparency, fraud, safety culture and ethics are in compliance with social norms and local regulations.

    Finally, over twenty years ago after all of the managerial nonsense that sent many “C” levels to jail from our 2011 White Paper Asset/Equipment Integrity Governance: Operations-Enterprise Alignment: A Case for Board Oversight, “During that period (2002), McKinsey & Company in conjunction with the Global Corporate Governance Forum conducted a study and found that over 75% of over 200 fund managers would value a stock at a higher price point if the company could demonstrate it had strong governance in place.  Moreover, the study also revealed that for western markets, firms with strong shareholder rights averaged 12-14% higher stock prices .”

    It Makes No Sense to Run any Organization Badly.  Either to stakeholders or yourself.

     Gaming the System

    Those of us at a certain age are familiar with the song, Walk A Mile In My Shoes.  What would you say if I told you that using technology multiple parties can exchange their boots?

    There is a way using Virtual Training to interact with other cultures and effectively Walk A Mile In Their Shoes (and they in yours).   “Virtual training typically refers to a specific form of online education that focuses on skill development and practical training.  It often involves structured courses or programs designed to teach specific skills or tasks.”

    Based on International Negotiation experiences, processes and technology tools we have developed an online game.  It enables collaboration or even simulate organizational conflict.

    Additional information is available on our Cross Cultural Serious Game Portal.  Check it out, I think you will like it and its a way to help cool the cultural hate being unleashed

    Walk A Virtual Mile in the Other’s Shoes.  Who Knows You May Even Like it.

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our recent blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • V R T

    V R T

    In our forthcoming book, “Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making”  we coined the term, Valid, Reliable and Timely (VRT).  “This term identifies all data dimensions including its temporal component.”

    Check Up

    When we go to the doctor we expect that the information conferred by this professional is Correct, Consistent with the current medical knowledge base and Relevant to our present.  If it is not, the confidence in the diagnosis degrades and can even lead to malpractice driven legal issues.

    One of the issues a patient faces is the significant difference in the knowledge base between the medical professional and the layperson sitting across of him/her.  Many accept the statements of the professional as gospel.  Sometimes to their regret.

    Enter the Knowledgeable Buyer

    We live in a technological era even though many of us are technologist.  Often the technology itself is user friendly and reduces our core knowledge.

    How many of us rely on a calculator or spreadsheet to the extent our math skills have suffered?

    This Baby Boomer spent much of his career on the bleeding edge of the computer era.  Today I am not conversant in the details of Acritical Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Big Data etc.  However, I know how to ask the right questions!

    One of the Right Questions is embodied in our Economic Value Proposition Matrix (EVPM).  Does this technological investment add value to the organization and if so, how and how much?  In other words, the economic value of the expenditures.  Keep in mind that technology expenditures include not just the cost of the product, its support infrastructure, switching costs and training among other change management processes.

    One does not need to be a medical professional to query the doctor about the recommended action plan.  Common sense and knowledge of our body in the case (or our business) as the saying goes, “is not so common.”  Don’t just jump on the technology bandwagon, do your homework and ask “does this add value to our culture as well?”

    VRT

    Does the proposed project make sense does it sound like it is a Valid or accurate process?  Is it consistent or Reliable and finally is it the right time for our ‘culture’ and organizational maturity to make the change?

    You might be surprised at these common sense answers.

    Does your organization have a plan/process in place to cut through the technology clutter?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our recent blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Fake or Not Fake?

    Fake or Not Fake?

    Seems we live in a world of FAKE.  How do you know what is fake and what is not?

    A recent article described certain activities in Silicon Valley as the end of fake.  The point being that in the recent VC heyday, some have feed the market crap and taken advantage of the Greed is Good mindset.  Previously addressed whether opportunities and/or statements passed the so called “Smell Test.”  Mostly likely, many in the Silicon Valley ignored their olfactory warnings.

    How did we get here?  Humans have always wanted to put forth their best impression.  We have been taught from an early age that we can only make a first impression once.  Moreover, “Research shows that it takes between just 33–100 milliseconds for someone to form judgments about your character.”

    Puffery

    “This is the best car available today.”  Not necessarily incorrect or correct but the ‘opinion’ of the sales representative.  This is an example of Puffery.  Certain claims about emerging technologies can fall into this category as well.

    However, there can be a downside to this push.  If the automobile is then perceived as ‘not the best’ or even worse, a lemon the brands of the manufacturer as well as the car dealership maybe negatively impacted.

    Investment scams have long used statements such as, “You don’t want to miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity, guaranteed to go up in value but you have to act NOW!.”  This pushes the envelope on puffery and most likely is FAKE.

    A Lie Repeated

    “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”, is a law of propaganda often attributed to the Nazi Joseph Goebbels.

    People push their agendas, political or other.  Sometimes, however, an ‘illusion of truth‘ purports to repeatedly persuade individuals to accept and internalize this FAKE.  We see examples of this in politics and the so called ‘talking points’ put forth again and again and again.

    Building a FAKE Radar

    “A large meta-analysis revealed overall accuracy of distinguishing truths from lies was just 53 percent — not much better than flipping a coin.”  No wonder the propagandists are so successful.

    Counter to the Goebbels methodology, according to the prestigious journal, Psychology Today there are four ways to tell if you are being lied to:

    • Constant elaborate and dramatic presentations of events and their impact–the DRAMA of it all
    • The above is a behavior pattern REPEATED often–the TALKING POINTS
    • INCONSISTENCIES and changes in the same position–the UNPREDICTABLITYALITY 

    These personality disorders and be attributed both to individuals as well as organizations.  Other things to watch out for include facial expressions and other physical traits such as the eyes and fake smiles.

    The term FAKE is tossed around with glibness abandon.  As important, those who don’t use the word but pedal the same level of the illusion of truth used by many to support public and private narratives is ubiquitous.

    To be an informed consumer/decision maker of information requires an optimal FAKE radar.  Implementing and sustaining a personality disorder lie detector is just as important a life skill in a society rampant with dishonesty.

    How strong is your FAKE radar signal?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our recent blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Teaming Realities

    Teaming Realities

    Why are Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives failing?

    In previous blogs, we have addressed the challenges of turning organizational initiatives into culture.  Moreover, we discussed DEI and the shortcomings of those institutional efforts as well as broached the construct of Teams incorporating DEI.

    In this edition, we will expand on those subjects and develop a realistic approach toward team building that fully incorporates the precepts of DEI in a realistic manner.

    Five Elements

    As depicted in the title graphic, organizational cross-cultural interactions incorporate one or more of these dynamic components.

    • The Individual defined as a single human being or perhaps other entity with whom others collaborate
    • The Internal Organization defined the (legal) entity one or more individuals associate with on a daily basis
    • The Government defined elected officials as all levels of the Federal, State and Local governance bodies including any and all regulatory bodies or other agencies
    • The Public defined as communities and other interest groups including the media as well as its social aspect
    • The Ecosystem defined as the broad group of constituents which includes clients/customers, the supply chain as well a professional services engaged with the organization

    Note that sub-cultures abound across the four elements other than the individual.  Four example, a taskforce or team may be formed to implement a global IT system.  In this case, the team may be composed of individual from several countries as well as  Internal and External IT professionals..  In this case this would be an Internal Organization Sub-Culture.  Another Sub-Culture might be the NYC office with a distinct local flavor.

    These five elements are built upon a pretty straightforward peer reviewed behavioral framework.   

    The RBC Framework

    The Relationships, Behaviors, Conditions (RBC) Framework was originally developed to address the International Cross-Cultural Negotiation process.  Briefly, this is a dynamic model with emphasis on interactive relationships resulting from multiple levels of behavioral analysis.

    • Relationship dynamics are the focus including, commonality of interest, trust, balance of power and conflict intensity
    • Behaviors are defined from a broad multi-dimensional perspective and includes intentional as well as unintentional
    • Conditions include circumstances, capabilities and competencies of the parties, cultural considerations and the environment

    For almost 30 years we have been expanding and enhancing this model.  It is now used for ANY human interaction as well as Machine-Human interfaces, i.e. Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    Finally, we see this construct as very fabric of the modern organizational Team.

    What is a Team?

    By one definition a team is, “a group of people who perform interdependent tasks to work toward accomplishing a common mission or specific objective.”  As a general rule, teams are composed of individuals either appointed politically or assigned based on talent and expertise.

    When politically assigned to meet somewhat arbitrary DEI driven goals, one can expect such teams to fail–often visibly as a great calamity.  Thus driving survivors and others away from new similar teams.

    Thirty years ago this pundit witnessed the implementation of the then new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) IT systems.  Most were late and way over budget.  They rightfully earned the badge of ‘Career Killer.’  Not surprisingly, no one wanted to be assigned to this type of project.  Most consulting firms implementing these systems wanted someone with knowledge of the business on the project as well as IT professionals.  Key personnel could not be spared from operations and often junior or less qualified IT employees were assigned.  Needless to say, some level of disappointing performance was almost certainty guaranteed.  These were diverse teams composed of third party consultants, operations and finance individuals as well as internal IT people.

    These were not effective teams.  Many were even destructive.

    Creating an Effective Team

    A Google search of the term ‘teambuilding’ generates 160 million hits.  It is a well documented process, so why are successful teams so elusive?

    Most critical teams undergo a selection process as described previously with some training.  The project commences often with significant time and budget constraints.  In many cases the team malfunctions from the ‘get go.’  So why would DEI efforts end differently?  One suspects most do not.

    When students participate in active learning, they learn more.  This has been known for some time.  Sadly, and often in the DEI space, workshops do not address the actual issue organizations are facing.  However, their is a more successful learning model.

    Organizational Team Truths

    As noted above, organizations build teams to solve critical problems.  They do not group Individuals by category or classification.  High Performance Teams are anything but homogeneous.  

    • First, teams must form.  A mission/goal(s), set of deliverables, budget (if appropriate) and time frame must be developed and agreed to by management.
    • Then, members must get to know each other, roles and tasks assigned, etc.
    • What does success look like?  Metrics established.

    Most teams do not live in a vacuum so if they are to collaborate with one or more other teams (Internal or Ecosystem) this process is extended.  In many cases such as a merger or safety initiative, Government and even the Public will need to be engaged.

    Now a collaborative negotiation between ‘semi-independent’ parties to arrive at mutual success.  This is generally an iterative process.

    To create an active learning environment to cost effectively train new teams in a timely manner, simulations and game theory play a critical role.

    Moreover, to maximize effectiveness, such a Serious Game must be based on a Behavioral Science Framework.  This type of Team-to-Team interaction is available using video conferencing to engage teams meaningful training using ‘real world’ scenarios.

    The graphic below depicts this process.  Readers will also note a number of metrics will provide feedback to students to further enhance their learning experience.

    DEI ROI

    One comment routinely heard regarding DEI is the lack of return on the effort.  Not necessarily monetary return but the learning does not ‘stick.’

    Benjamin Franklin is credited with the quotation, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”  When these teams are composed of a variety of Individuals working to solve realistic collective problems the result better reflects actual organization life.  All aspects of DEI can be incorporated into the game scenario.  All students benefit from a much better learning experience and by extension the organizations they represent.

    The following short video is aligned with this discussion.  Well worth the few minutes it will take to watch it.

    Realizing DEI

    Simon makes the point that strong Organizations are more diverse.  In this pundit’s long international career, I support his contention. Moreover, true strength from a diverse Organization and its Ecosystem cannot be reached if individuals are not treated fairly and included in the process.  The serious game scenarios help assure all individuals participate.

    Want some help upping your DEI game?  Contact Us.

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor for an in press book (to be released in Spring 2023) titled, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    The video by Simon Sinek is from YouTube.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our recent blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • And Just Like That!

    And Just Like That!

    Often attributed to the movie character, Forest Gump the title phrase can be interpreted as an abrupt change in one’s life.

    The past few years have brought significant changes to many of us.  Illness, job change, moving to a new location, kids out of school and so it goes.  Disruption can be intimidating, yet it need not be so.

    Life is all about change.  We move from infancy to youth, adulthood and so on.  In each phase our interests and environment are different.  Moreover, we often seek change.  The celebration upon one’s 16th birthday and getting a driver’s license.  In my case turning 25 when my car insurance cost was lowered.

    Society is moving into an era whereby an individual can expand his or her horizon.  No longer is a college degree seen as the price of entry.  Non graduates now have access to IT positions as well as management and other high paying skills.  The focus is moving from having mountains of college debt to having the desire to achieve.  Additionally, the Great Resignation movement is taking root too.

    So What Happens Now?

    In our 2oo9 White Paper, Rapid Response Management: Thriving in the New World Order we coined the term, Velocity of Information which we defined as, “Similar to the economic theory, Velocity of Money, it is the frequency at which information is exchanged.”  Who would have dreamed today’s volumes would be so massive.  Now we are awash in information and disinformation.  Decisions that depend on valid and reliable data are more difficult, not less.

    However, life’s disruptive moments can force us to move forward in another direction.  The recession in 1974 required that this then young individual to more to Louisiana and enter the oil and gas sector.  This was not on my radar at all as late as two months earlier when a recruiter called.

    This life changing moment was not based on valid and reliable data as ‘I did not have clue’ what I was getting into.  Rather the decision was made with almost no knowledge of the subject.  Fifty years later, the rest as they say is history.

    When one door closes, another opens.

    New Relationships

    We have previously discussed the RBC Framework; Relationships, Behaviors, Conditions (aka the situation).  This straightforward model was developed in 1993 to study International Negotiations and we have found it convenient for all manner of human interaction assessments.

    The military refers to the (true)knowledge of one’s environment as Situational Awareness.  In other words if one has a good understanding of what is happening around them, their behaviors should reflect that knowledge.  Subsequently, relationships may change including making new one or leaving old ones.  In my case, the move to Louisiana and entering a new sector is a good example.

    Going Forward

    Forest Gump embraced change and excelled at a number of things despite his handicap.  Disruption was not a threat but an opportunity.  Like Louis Pasteur, one can prepare for change even if the next step is not immediately clear.

    Finally, “The economist Joseph Schumpeter was the first to coin the term “creative destruction.”  Creative destruction is the destruction of old markets and those active in them through innovation, & inventing of new markets, this can be new technologies, methods, business models, services, or products.”  One can argue that the creative destruction cycle time is very short today.

    What are you doing to prepare for your next step?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor for an in press book (to be released in Spring 2023) titled, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author is a member of Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give us a shout.

  • Age Discrimination: Mandated by the Fed

    Age Discrimination: Mandated by the Fed

    The current president of the United States is 80 years old.  He has indicated that that he will run for a second term.  If reelected, at the end of that terminus he will be 86!

    Is that too old to run a country?  The Speaker of the House is 80, and her peers include a number of octogenarians from both parties including two so-called independents.

    In an age when people routinely live into their 90s and even beyond, commercial airline pilots are forced to retire at age 65.  All the experience and knowledge is casually thrown away based on arbitrary thinking.

    It is this writer’s understanding the commercial flight crews undergo flight physicals ever six months regardless of age.  Who hasn’t seen morbidity obese flight crew members waddle down the concourse?  So isn’t a 65 plus pilot in good shape a safer alternative to younger individuals in poorer health?

    Take all that knowledge and experience and throw it away at 65.  Dah!!  Stupid is as Stupid does.

    Leave it to government to tell us how to live.  Who elected them king?

    How big a law suit would you file if you were fired because of your age?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor for an in press book (to be released in Spring 2023) titled, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author is a member of Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give us a shout.

  • Delusional: The Martha Mitchell Effect 2.0

    Delusional: The Martha Mitchell Effect 2.0

    Attributed to the late Martha Mitchell, wife of the then Attorney General Oxford defines it as “A misinterpretation of a person’s justified belief as a delusion, often by a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or general practitioner.”

    Climate deniers, election deniers, COVID vaccine deniers, The Science deniers and all kind of deniers.  Treated as delusional and even reprehensible, anything to discredit their position and beliefs.  Some even advocate their incarceration and even death for those who hold different views.

    The so-called conventional wisdom, even The Science is often wrong.  Jumping on a politically correct and convenient Bandwagon, often leads to regret, lose of reputation, political demise or worse.

    Martha Mitchell was ultimately proved correct in her thinking, although being vilified at the time.  For that matter so was Galileo Galilei whose Inquisition by the Church was because he supported the Copernican theory that all celestial things revolved around planet Earth.  The Science has long disproved the Church in earthly matters.

    Plausible Deniability

    Perhaps those yelling DENIER the loudest are guilty of being deniers themselves.  As Shakespeare is credited with, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”  So if one follows this line of thinking, Scientifically.  Those screaming are actually the deniers.  Not the other way around.

    Without realistic dialogue about those issues that matter, there will always be a ‘She Said, He Said’ component of personal, business, political and social positions.  Closed minds on either side of the argument, kill constructive movement forward.

    Martha Michell was vilified in a pre-Internet period.  Yet her points were proven correct.  So was Galileo as well as others.  It seems convenient to SCREAM the other side as evil.  What good does that attitude accomplish?

    Who is the Real Denier You or the other the Denier?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor for an in press book (to be released in Spring 2023) titled, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author is a member of Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give us a shout.

  • At the Precipice?

    At the Precipice?

    On October 8, 2021, we posted the blog, Welcome to the 70s–Again!  The point that the awful economy of that decade could return.  It seems that one year later, those comments have come true.  Many are now freely comparing out contemporary time to that period before most adults were born.  This Baby Boomer graduated from college in 1970s and ‘enjoyed’ the full economic Stagflation experience and it was not pretty and definitely not fun.

    However, increasing global events, especially from Europe and Asia beg the question, Are we entering the 1930s again?  Seeming sinister forces both internal to the United States and global are conspiring to wreck havoc if we are not careful.  Even the word, World War  III is being ‘loosely’ tossed about by various journalists and pundits.

    On top of all these daily headlines, we are told the planet is in peril.  However, the trillions and trillions of dollars necessary do to seem to be available.  “Damned if I do, damned if I don’t.”

    What to Do?

    Geopolitical Risk is not a new concept.  Organizations have been dealing with it for many millenniums.  As always, the race goes to the best economic players.  Agile, Smart, and Decisive continue to play a big role in the success of organization live and even thrive in hard times.

    R B C

    We have long been advocates of the Relationship(s), Behavior(s), Condition(s) model first put forth to research International Negotiations by Stephen Weiss in 1993.  It is a good construct to assess behavioral changes based on situational (conditions) changes, even transformation.  Which results in changes in relationships including adding new and dropping existing.

    Interested readers can search this website, there are 14 blogs on this subject in our Critical Mass series.

    Pressure Cooker

    No one can predict the future but it is abundantly clear there a  lot of pressures on business and people in general.  This writer is not as sure that new behavioral tools are as necessary as good old fashion Leadership!  For executives, the adage, “Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way” is applicable today as it ever was. 

    Finally, with so many mounting and rapidly changing Conditions, a constant review and assessment is in order.  For example, in the last period of great inflation, successful companies conducted ongoing review of their pricing and cost structures.

    How are You Leading Your Team/Organization/Family in these Trying Times?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more insight regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our recent blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author is a member of Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give us a shout. 

  • Why Corporate Initiatives Fail

    Why Corporate Initiatives Fail

    According to the Cambridge Dictionary, one definition of initiative is. “A new plan or action to improve something or solve a problem.”  In corporate parlance this often translates into yet another short-term and often politically correct effort to demonstrate forward motion/social citizenship.  Often forgotten faster than the evening news cycle as new searches for performance take their place.

    Organizations of all types, public, private, profit and nonprofit etc. tend to announce new initiatives with great fanfare and pronouncements about ‘transforming our culture.’  So why do they continuously fall short of expectations?

    According to a Forbes Survey released just before the pandemic, “When participants in our survey were asked to create a list of reasons for (change programs) failure, ‘insufficient budget’ was cited by 23% and ‘insufficient time’ by only 17%.  Instead, participants ranked poor communication (62%), insufficient leadership and support (54%), organizational politics (50%), lack of understanding of the purpose of the change (50%), lack of user buy-in (42%) and lack of collaboration (40%) as the most critical issues.”

    In aggregate, the article suggests a total failure rate of70%.  This percentage level was first put forth in the early 1990s and is accepted by many as still correct today.  While empirical evidence is sketchy, none-the-less, the perception of failure remains high.

    This tracks with other project failure statistics this author has seen over the years.  Yet, all of these failure attributes are human and therefore, manageable and correctable.

    Today’s Buzz

    The economy is always front and center.  More so today given Inflation and Supply Chain problems.

    In this blogger’s opinion and in order of priority other key issues include Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI), Climate Change and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).  While different organizations may face other challenges, these Four tend to dominate the news.

    Often issues overlap or compound, thus exponentially amplifying the impact on society.  For example, the electric vehicle (EV) is touted as a lynchpin to ‘fixing’ the Climate Change issue.  However, supply chain issues currently limit battery production and one can surmise this is a long-term problem and not simply current shortages or delays.  If this is correct, meeting desired climate metrics is problematic.

    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Perhaps the most emotional of the Big Four, DEI seeks to level the so-called playing field for all regardless of ethnicity, gender or behavioral preferences.  Almost all organizations have a DEI Initiative underway.  Yet, they seem to be stalling much to the frustration of advocates.

    According to one source, “The DEI industry is dominated by what scholars call ‘personnel managers,’ employees in human resources.”  This is also the observation of this pundit as well.

    LinkedIn profiles include, Chief Diversity Officers, any number of DEI consultants and others carrying similar titles as well as commercial organizations offering DEI products and solutions.  Much like the plethora of Safety Culture ‘experts’ and tools that emerged after Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig disaster in 2010.

    From a recent Korn Ferry article, “Experts say companies must treat DE&I as they would any other business issue and use data analytics to understand why things aren’t working.”  This author interprets this to mean that DEI must be incorporated into ‘the way we do business‘ or part of the organization’s culture.

    No longer a simple initiative, the next Chief Diversity Officer may be a Caucasian male or even redundant.  Then, DEI will no longer be seen as a separate and different department.

    Energy Transformation

    The president of the United States recently said, ““ it comes to the gas prices, we’re going through an incredible transition that is taking place that, God willing, when it’s over, we’ll be stronger and the world will be stronger and less reliant on fossil fuels when this is over.”  As many countries implement Climate Change policies, this transition is economically rough to say the least.

    And with no guarantees that these efforts will actually reduce the earth’s temperature decades out, is this a Big Bet with major consequences to all of us.  In our last blog, Innovation: The Key to the Global Future we addressed the economics in detail.  Interested readers should refer to that piece.

    An extensive assessment was developed by Bjorn Lomborg in his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.  His credentials include the fact that he believes in global warming and is not a ‘denier’ as the phase goes.

    Caution to the lemmings jumping off the Energy Transition cliff, this is the ultimate initiative as it is political by nature.  Fickle by nature, political winds can change quickly and with that the value proposition.

    To some extent we are seeing this already as governments seek to address spirally energy costs, i.e., Germany restarts coal-fired power plants.  We might see more of this after the US midterm elections in November.

    ESG

    This initiative is treated as if it is new.  Well run companies have always enjoyed higher equity value.

    In 2011, we published our White Paper, Asset/Equipment Integrity Governance: Operations–Enterprise Alignment.  In that paper, we quoted, “During that period (2002), McKinsey & Company in conjunction with the Global Corporate Governance Forum conducted a study and found that over 75% of over 200 fund managers would value a stock at a higher price point if the company could demonstrate it had strong governance in place.  Moreover, the study also revealed that for western markets, firms with strong shareholder rights averaged 12-14% higher stock prices.”

    We previously addressed ESG in detail and how it fits in our Relationships, Behaviors, Conditions (RBC) Framework  (risk mitigation).  The operative word is Relationships.  This will include every stakeholder, so the impact can be substantial.

    For some organizations, ESG is new and the source of value in the annual Letter to Shareholders.  For others, business as usual incorporates those premises.  Begs the question, which organization would you like to invest in?

    Concluding Thoughts

    In this corporate animal’s experience, initiatives are seen as short-term events.  Leadership’s ‘rubber stamp’ does not carry gravitas.  Employees often ‘wait them out’ and go just about their business.  Others create media splash which dies quickly as well.  Only when change is codified in the organization’s culture do new approaches add sustained value.

    Initiatives fail because neither the board room nor the factory floor see them as adding value.  Fads driven by political winds, activists or social desires come and go.

    Strong governance is a proven value add.  A diverse workforce can add value but climate change as currently practiced will most like fail and fail Big and Expensive.  Society has addressed similar economic issues and will again.

    Are Your Organizational Initiatives Sustainable or Simply Fads?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.

    Disclaimer, the author has no personal or business relationship with Bjorn Lomborg or his publications other than reading and commenting on his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy challenges, the author is a member of Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give us a shout.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

     

  • Who Let the Dogs Out?

    Who Let the Dogs Out?

    Our often called, ‘Best Friend’ has and continues to teach us all manner of life lessons.  While the Dog Days of Summer will soon be upon those who live in the northern hemisphere, not all dogs choose to stay on the porch.

    Most dogs are action oriented.  Throw a ball or a stick and some will retrieve it, seemingly endlessly.  In this they set a high bar for consistent behavior.  Their relationship with the thrower changes when the conditions or situation gets both parties off the porch.

    Often attributed to comedian Steve Harvey and others, “Dogs don’t bark at parked cars” has taken on a wide range of meanings.  The one that stands out is Leadership!

    Action oriented dogs will address issues of the day, i.e., car movement.  They are not interested in hunks of metal (dead weight) accomplishing nothing.  It makes no sense to bother with an inanimate object, unless the goal is to get inside it so you can hang you head out the window once it is on the highway.

    Focus is on the doable, not the abstract.

    Enter the Human

    Archelogy suggests that dogs were domesticated between 20-40,000 years ago.  They have been our companions, confidants and supporters longer than any other non-humans.

    Today, dogs lead in all manner of endeavors, as pets, service and support partners, drug and explosive identification and even becoming a ‘go human interest videos’ on social media including LinkedIn.

    One can argue that the bond between dog and humans is unique.  They seem to have a rare ingrained sense of our emotions.  Likewise, our bond with them is often even stronger than it is with our family members.  Indeed, they are often referred to as ‘family.’

    For some dog fun, take a look at this short video.  Puts the car-dog-human relationship into perspective.

    It is hard to imagine life without dogs in it.  This pundit sees this phenomena almost everyday when the dog walkers go by, often with 3-5 dogs.  Our lives are better because thousands of years ago they chose to adopt us.

    R B C

    We have long been a proponent of the Relationship, Behavior, Conditions (situation) model for human and cross cultural interactions.  More on this can be found on our website.

    The point of this blog is that this model is not limited to human to human interactions.  It has broad use between all manner of cultures.  Even canine to human!

    Leadership

    “If you ain’t the lead dog, the view never changes.”  A familiar statement regarding sled dog teams.  Moreover, dogs and wolves are collaborative pack animals and each pack has an Alpha Male (canine or human).

    Both humans and canines collaborate to accomplish a given task or set of tasks.  Leadership sets the path and assures that the ‘team’ remains focused and all members achieve a level of personal and organizational satisfaction during and after the project is completed.

    Dogs are good role models for all of us.  Their unconditional love and support are legendary.  Since “All dogs go to heaven,” we know that they have our best interests at heart.

    Just a Doggone Minute!  Have You Hugged Your Best Friend Today?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

  • ESG Explained

    ESG Explained

    According to Investopedia, “Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments.”  Definitions of the three components are pretty straightforward:

    • Environmental–Generally refers to the stewardship of the planet and how organizations facilitate that responsibility.
    • Social–Facilitating organizational responsibility to the global society, at all levels from the globe to the local communities firms operate in.
    • (Corporate) Governance–Typically, the umbrella organizations put in place to assure issues such as transparency, fraud, safety culture and ethics are in compliance with social norms and local regulations.

    Since the Deepwater Horizon incident of April 2020, operators (oil and gas companies) have extended and enhanced the above criteria to their supply chain ecosystem and in some cases even customers with a Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS).  This is true of most other Critical Infrastructure sectors as well.

    Likewise, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 enhanced transparency and increased fraud protection after the Enron (and other) scandals.  Other incidents have triggered governance changes as well and some are referred to in linked materials.

    Why Is ESG Important?

    By one account, approximately $12 trillion in investments made in 2018 were driven by those who consider themselves socially responsible.  According to Forbes, in 2019 this accounted for almost 25% of total investments and are seen through the lens of sustainability.  Moreover, between 2016 to 2018, the growth rate in such firms grew at 38 percent.

    These numbers confirm our research going back to the turn of the century and perhaps earlier.  In 1993 we controversially posited that the Principles of Scientific Management were applicable to software development by Knowledge Workers.  Developed by Frederick Taylor, his monograph was published circa 1911.

    In other words, owners (investors) have always demanded top notch, legal and ethical performance.  Activist investors, i.e. Carl Icahn are not new.  As always, they have a very important role to play in the current markets.

    Asset/Equipment Integrity Governance

    There is a buzz of newness to ESG; however, from a contrarian perspective, this is not necessarily the case.  After the Deepwater Horizon failure with significant loss of live and many billions in economic losses to many parties including BP, it became clear that traditional Governance models did not have a focus on operations and the management of capital assets, i.e., manufacturing plants, marine vessels and other revenue producing sources.

    In our book we addressed a New Risk Environment from large corporate operations in which ‘failure is really not an option.”  We stated as a risk element, “Escalation of Consequences: The level of consequences of a disaster in the energy industry can now be larger than from the accidental release of a multi-megaton nuclear weapon.”

    Still governance models continued to struggle.  We believe that in the critical infrastructure sectors there is a lack of strong bonding, in other words top management is still hands off and operating from historical ‘control’ models that are no longer relevant or applicable.

    We do not believe this will change until a Strong Bond (tightly coupled) model is adopted.  We define the term as, “A strong model is used by High Reliability Organizations (HRO) and as part of that model, trained; knowledgeable personnel are empowered to make the right decisions in the field.  The strong model provides an organization with the capability to become and remain and HRO.”

    In 2011, we released our monograph, Asset/Equipment Integrity Governance: Operations–Enterprise Alignment; A Case for Board Oversight (AEIG).  In addition to developing a financial model documenting the Return on Investment (ROI) from strong governance, a Compliance Model, as well as a robust AEIG Matrix which incorporates an Asset Maturity Model are part of the solution.

    The AEIG extends the enterprise governance model to include the full ecosystem including subcontractors to its primary supply chain partners.  While not directly addressed at the time, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is implicit in the model.

    This roadmap is comprehensive and is a good starting point for developing and implementing a vigorous ESG initiative.  Other monographs in our Changing the Dialogue series (exploring our New Business Dynamics) include Structural Dynamics and Rapid Response Management are available online.

    Relationships, Behaviors, Conditions

    Scroll down on The Rapid Response Institute, Operational Excellence Platform page and you will find our R B C Framework Cultural Transformation model.  Shown below for ease of readership.

    The R B C model was originally developed to research international (cross cultural) negotiations.  We have extended it to support the transformation process to a robust and model organization culture such discussed herein.  Readers should note that this model is focused on Operational Excellence and is comprised on Processes & Methods supported by Enabling Tools.

    Built on Structural Dynamics which was developed as part of Dr. Shemwell’s doctoral dissertation in 1996.  It is defined as, “The morphology or patterns of motion towards process equilibrium of interpersonal systems.”

    This proven Framework is grounded in Management Science yet is a useful tool (Roadmap) that real originations can successfully and cost effectively implement.  We believe it is the best approach for attaining ESG.

    Summary

    One can view the current ESG status as part of a continuum to hold organizations accountable as appropriate and frankly, increase their Operational Excellence.  We have long known that firm’s that are well managed command superior stock market multiples and greater equity value.

    Many ‘self-serving’ consultants and pundit would have us believe ESG is breakthrough Thought Leadership in need of their help.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

    In the early 1990s, we document the history and evolution of Management Science/Thinking.   It is not written in stone, like most human endeavors it evolves and has for thousands of years.  ESG is a step in this continuum.

    How is Your Organization Addressing the Requirements of Active Investors?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  Two current online games; Safety Culture and Diverse Teams specifically address issues raised by ESG Criteria.  If you have any questions, please contact this author as well.

    Graphic Source: The Rapid Response Institute derived from a Storyblocks image under license.

  • Clickbait Redux

    Clickbait Redux

    We are offered the world at the tip of our fingers, But!  There are many prices to pay.  Theft by scam simply by clicking on a great opportunity is getting more sophisticated all the time.

    Recently, this pundit was offered a once in a lifetime possibility if only I would listen to an MS Office (voicemail) sent to my email account.  Seemed OK, how harmful could it be?  Certainty, this world class software provider tool was safe?

    Well, as the saying goes, my mama didn’t raise no fool.  Not saying I won’t be duped at some point, but I like to think the odds are against it.  Tagged as junk, I will never know what the sender had to say.  Nor do I care, since likely it was phishing at best and possibly something worse.

    That said, businesses cannot run on the basis of individual prowess, especially when the scams often exceed hundreds a week or even a day.  Junk mail filters are much better than before but still not perfect and malefactors are always launching cyber organized criminal efforts to supersede defensive protections.

    Equally, if not more important, how many legitimate businesses lose sales or even have their reputations significantly compromise as a result of scams?  If a prospects clicks on your logo and is defrauded, her or she will most likely continue to blame the logo owner and not the criminals.

    Setting the Hook

    Fisherman know how to catch fish.  They know the right locations, time of day, cloudy or not and so forth and so on the land the ‘Big One.’

    On the other hand, digital hackers do not appear to have this ingrained focused instinct.  Perhaps, this skill is not necessary for them.

    Masquerading in plain sight, spammers try to tap into the greed in all of us.  Easy, quick and large these opportunities are attractive and many fall for them.

    As a mentor and advisor to organizations of all sizes, I consistently review product/service and even enterprise value propositions.  Frankly, many are found wanting.  Currently, the Lean Canvas construct and/or Elevator Pitch are models for succinctly posturing a position quickly.

    However, it takes a lot of effort to craft the short piece.  Only then does the firm have something of value for prospects and customers.

    While Fortune 500 et al will remain targets of cyber hacking, it is possible for others to make themselves less attractive to organized crime.  Firms should ask themselves, what is the goal for their web presence?

    In 2019, this blog addressed the “what’s in it for me question” as opposed to collecting ‘Likes.’  That edition contained a real world case study of wrong-headed thinking by a consulting firm collecting the wrong data.  As the client, we did not implement that recommendation.

    There is a fine line between building market ‘Buzz’ and simply collecting ‘Likes’.  However, the real focus should be on building repeat customers.  Recommendations from others, should still be part of the business model.

    Cyber is now an important part of every firm’s business model.  Part of the organization’s cybersecurity model has to be, “Why are individuals coming to the website?”  In other words, “What value are we providing them?”

    What is the Value of a ‘Like’ to your Organization and What is the ‘Risk’ of Obtaining One?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

  • Will Price Controls Work This Time?

    Will Price Controls Work This Time?

    Update: Just after we published this edition, Goldman Sachs released this comprehensive research piece; Stagflation Risk.

    Recently, one media outlet raised the suggestion of government price controls.  Generally, seen as a bad idea, none-the-less in this inflationary environment, some may perceive value from an action of this kind.

    Additionally, in the current environment some politicians favor cancelling the gasoline tax at both the state and federal levels.  This might beg the question, if these taxes can be abated, why are they in place anyway?

    In 1971, President Nixon implemented price and wage controls.   Some saw this as an election ploy and if so, it worked as he was reelected.  In 2008, the free market Republican George W. Bush stated that sometimes you have to, “abandon free‐​market principles to save the free‐​market system.”  WHAT?

    Elected politicians often think they know more about running companies and economies than those who actually do.  Printing money and regulating commercial processes that they know nothing about, usually in the name of the people who may have put them in office.  Since most of these individuals do not have a working knowledge of the economy, is it any wonder that they bugger things up when they insert themselves?

    And Now!

    Self imposed, inflation is now higher than it has been since the 1970s.  Blamed on a third world country invading its neighbor, leadership states, I “can’t do much” about gasoline prices.  Need I say, malarkey!  The world is awash with ‘clean’ fossil fuels; societies just choose not to use them effectively.

    The concept of an Energy Basket is well defined and depending on geographical location, and need requirements any or all can be used as economically feasible.  Moreover, the concept of Energy Transition is not new.

    In  1993,  Theodore Modis published this diagram in his peer reviewed work, Technological Substitutions in the Computer Industry whereby he presented a technology substitution model that both energy and silicon mapped to very well.

    While renewables were not included in the model, readers will get the point that energy transition has always been an on going process.

    We further discussed this process in our 2015 book, Structural Dynamics: Foundation of Next Generation Management Science.  We defined, Structural Dynamics “the morphology or patterns of motion towards process equilibrium of interpersonal systems.”  In other words the nexus of structure and process whereby markets seek equilibrium if only for a time.

    Markets drive technology substitution.  Only when the economics of new energy sources are acceptable does the ‘take up’ move quickly.

    Volckerism

    Tough Love by the Fed kicked Stagflation in the gut and yes it hurt the US economy for years, but it saved the country from a worse fate.  From the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, “On Oct. 6, 1979, Fed Chairman Paul Volcker took dramatic steps to rein in the runaway inflation that had been sapping the strength of our economy since the mid-1960s.  Without his bold change in monetary policy and his determination to stick with it through several painful years, the U.S. economy would have continued its downward spiral.  By reversing the misguided policies of his predecessors, Volcker set the table for the long economic expansions of the 1980s and 1990s.”

    In 1965, the inflation rate was one percent.  By 1980, it had hit 14 percent.  Per Chairman Volcker’s statement, both Nixon and Carter implemented price controls with catastrophic effects on the nation.

    The Heavy Hand

    This  is not a piece on fiscal or monetary policy, rather it is meant as a wake up call from someone who lived through that period.  Distorted markets always correct, often rapidly and harshly.  The Great Depression comes to mind as well, as the Dotcom Bubble, Financial Crisis of  2008, etc.

    Those interested in the details and theory of human behavior in this period can follow up with the cited materials as well as a wealth of knowledge on  the subject of price controls.

    Bottom line, price controls did not work.  Markets became distorted.  Moreover, easy credit (very low interest rate) transformed to expensive credit (high interest rate) and eventually this painful process negatively transformed the marketplace in ways most contemporary readers have never known their whole life.

    Price controls are tempting.  It is easy to say, lets stop corporations from making obscene profits or gouging.  However, the downside negatively impacts those who need economic help the  most.

    One expects that in the coming months, especially as the election nears calls for price controls will become louder.  History has shown the results of such actions as economic suicide.

    How will your company prepare for mandated price freezes?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    References:

    Modis, Theodore. (1993). Technological Substitutions in the Computer Industry. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 43. pp. 157-167.

  • The Thirteen and The One

    The Thirteen and The One

    As of this writing, the situation in Ukraine is fluid at best.  Many see the Ukrainian people as heroes winning against all odds.  Other pundits predict they will be overwhelmed in the near future.  History suggests the later is a premature prognosis.

    In the 1940’s European resistance played a major role in the defeat of the Nazi Germany during World War II.  Later, the Vietnamese were able to overcome both France and the United States.  Afghanistan routed the Soviet Union and the United States.  However, the ultimate (modern era) David vs Goliath model lies elsewhere.

    During the 1770s Great Britain was the most powerful nation in the western world.  A rag tag band of farmers, frontiersmen,  city dwellers and other colonists inhabited a land far from the European continent.  One could argue, who even cared about that bunch?  Yet it was a vassal of European global expansion with perceived riches.

    Then the most powerful country in the world militarily acted, albeit assuming this crowd as weak and taken for granted.  The end result is the United States of America.

    Theoretically easily squashed, yet supported by France and Germany, the ‘shot heard around the world’ transformed the human trajectory significantly and forever.  Europe (including the UK) has been paid back a hundred fold for that investment for over 200 years.  Many others have also fought and attained sustained freedom.

    Do not underestimate the Will (power) of the One.  No one can argue that the Thirteen dramatically impacted the last two plus centuries.  Perhaps the One will change the next few generations.  As before, we may be witnessing the end of a centuries old power structure.

    Will the current investment in Ukraine will return similar dividends?  Odds are, yes.  Even when one does not prevail, i.e., Spartacus and the 300 at Thermopylae the world changed for the better because of their commitments.

    Not limited to conflict, other examples of the small taking on the giant include Microsoft v IBM.  This is a common to the universal human condition with a long track record of success with some failure.  Ukraine has shown themselves to the the Home of the Brave.  Hopefully, soon they will also the Land of the Free.

    Many of us in the global community are heirs of the Thirteen.  What are we doing for the One?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

  • Beware The Guns of March?

    Beware The Guns of March?

    Readers know that as of this writing there is geopolitical and military tension in eastern Europe.  Hopefully, the situation will resolve peacefully.

    This piece is not about those politics.  Rather it is about the potential for accidental engagement and how that risk can be mitigated.

    President Kennedy is famously cited for the comment that referred to the origin of the War to End All Wars, “Perhaps the greatest contribution historians have made to humanity, at least as historians sometimes tell it, came during the Cuban Missile Crisis when Barbara Tuchman’s book, The Guns of August, saved the world from nuclear war.  The book is Tuchman’s narrative of the origins of the First World War, an account that, in President John F. Kennedy’s reading, showed how miscalculation and inflexible military planning could force great powers into catastrophic conflicts against their leaders’ wishes.”  We might add, against the wishes of the populations that must endure the unbearable cost of stupid interventions.  As noted by Herbert Hoover.

    “Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die.”

    While the Cuban Missile Crisis worked out well for both parties, including the world in general, it was not necessarily a given.  Miscalculations such as the US lack of knowledge regarding nuclear weapons onboard Soviet submarines or the ‘launch’ upon the invasion of the island of Cuba order could have been disastrous.

    Misunderstanding during the 1983 military exercise Able Archer is another example of a near nuclear catastrophe.  And then there all the Broken Arrows,  nuclear weapon incidents (that we know of).

    Complex Systems’ Behaviors

    This blog series has commented on complex interconnected systems a number of times.  The  Risk Profile is dramatically increased in such systems.  Geopolitical and military systems must be viewed through this lens as well.  However, we know complex systems can be properly managed and thus reduce the likelihood of major global impact events.

    This process is grounded in High Reliability Management (HRM).  Wikipedia defines, “A high reliability organization (HRO) is an organization that has succeeded in avoiding catastrophes in an environment where normal accidents can be expected due to risk factors and complexity.

    This author believes that geopolitical and military complex systems can benefit from this model.  Given that the cost of these type failures is incalculable they certainty fits HRM profile.

    Folly Revisited

    In the 1930s Brinksmanship did not end well.  Following historical patterns, especially from World War I, Europe plunged into the abyss for the second time in two decades.  Miscalculations on the side of multiple parties in both conflicts let to unthinkable destruction and loss of life.

    Today’s militaries are much more powerful than ever.  Hopefully, from Shakespeare, “Beware the ides of March” does not portend this year.

    Geopolitical miscalculations, brinksmanship and other aggressive negotiations can go badly.  This is especially the case when adversaries are not in direct and frequent communication with all parties.

    Even then cultural differences put discussions at risk.  Temperance, communication and though is what saves the world from the unthinkable.  Hopefully, cooler heads will continue to prevail during the current crisis.

    Cross Cultural Negotiation

    The importance of cross cultural understanding cannot be overstated as geopolitics and businesses deal with complex, multi-faceted issues across many nations, ethnicities and cultures.  Old international negotiation models are no longer relevant.

    Behavioral Economics is foremost today.  All parties dealt with are by definition diverse.  They are composed of different genders, ethnicities and ages etc.  This is a more accurate model that reflects the reality of organizations today.

    Also, keep in mind that no nation is homogeneous.  Each is composed of separate regions, cities, with local backgrounds, cultures and more.  So when one talks about two or more geopolitical entities to be at odds over an issue(s), that model is too simplistic and can lead to greater risks as described earlier.

    These are more contributing factors for misunderstanding and miscalculation.  Most of us never ‘step in the other’s shoes.’  However, we can recognize the differences in perspectives, behavior and cultures.

    Changing the Playing Field

    We have often discussed the Relationships, Behaviors and Conditions (RBC) construct among economic actors.  The model argues that new Conditions or Situations and Behaviors change the Relationship among parties.  This applies at all levels of human interactions from two individuals to many nations.  It is applicable here as knowledge to help diffuse difficult situations.  For an in-depth review of the model, check the linked blog.

    No Guns this Time?

    The cascading events following the assassination of the Austrian, Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a small terrorist group is widely believed to have led to the beginning of World War I.  The sceptic must put forth, “you have got to be kidding me.”  Yet, it did happen.

    Our point here is that it does not take much to launch the horrible.  How many American doughboys died for that nonsense?  It can happen again and most likely will at some point given human nature.

    Business Contingency

    Geopolitical risk has always been one component of an organization’s risk profile.  What will be the impact on your business if the unthinkable happens in Europe again?  Other risk mitigation tools include social media.

    In 2013 we published ” Mitigating Operational Risk Using the Power of Social Media” that identified a methodology to better understand the beliefs and behaviors of local populations.  From the footnoted piece, “Large global enterprises can augment existing security and risk management with the same solutions used by the government entities in the defense sector at commercial price points.  The real question is not why, but why not?”

    Since that time, there have been significant advances in these capabilities.  Other readily available tools can assist as well.  Use inexpensive technology to protect global stakeholder interests.

    How Robust is Your Firm’s Contingency Plans for Geopolitical Uncertainties?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    Footnote

    Kuiper, Marcus A. and Shemwell, Scott M. (2013, February). Mitigating Operational Risk Using the Power of Social Media. Petroleum Africa Magazine. pp. 28-31.

  • Getting to Diverse and Inclusive Teams

    Getting to Diverse and Inclusive Teams

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team Models

    There is a tendency to see DEI through the lens of initiatives or often a process semi-outside the daily ‘organizational’ grind.  Does this represent reality?

    Organizations spend countless sums training employees and others they depend on for Operational Excellence performance.  They often trust global Teams to add stakeholder value.

    No less than Microsoft names a software product, Teams.  A tool designed to foster collaboration.

    The Way We Do Business

    Culture is often defined as ‘who we are.’  The approach an organization takes towards its ecosystem.  If this model is an accurate representation, it suggests that when organizations launch initiatives meant to address current social mores, they likely fail or at least do not live up to full potentials.

    Change management, often referred to as transformation often takes on the mantel of ‘you will be changed.’  Contemporarily, take the Covid-19 vaccine or you will be fired!  Not surprisingly, this mandate is resisted and seemingly increasingly with each new warning.

    As of this writing, the all out war (on decrees) has been declared by the likes of the Navy Seals, Health Care Workers, Law Enforcement and others with the demands from the Feds.  Likely, the result will be a draw at best, with the administration quietly acquiescing.  Too many critical, non-replaceable positions are at risk.  Not to mention votes.

    Governance

    In October 2011, we published our first draft of, Asset/Equipment Integrity Governance: Operations–Enterprise Alignment.  We recognized that traditional organizational Governance models were strictly focused on finance and maleficence therein.  The reality is that revenue is generate by operations and as such governance is critical as well.  Safety Culture, is intangible but now required by most organizations in Critical Infrastructure sectors.

    Flash forward to today and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is the model most organizations use.  Effectively, this expands governance to include a broad range of non-financial commitments.  From this blogger’s perspective, likely DEI will fall under this governance model.  Therefore, moving it from the ‘initiative status’ to the ‘way we do business.’

    Team Building

    This dynamic environment requires workforce upskilling.  The need to constantly assure that individuals have current Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) necessary to meet current challenges.  KSAs now include the ability/necessity to work across cultural/diverse lines.

    When one thinks of a ‘team’ it is not a homogenous collection of like minded and ‘like’ individuals.  Teams are a collection of hopefully, ‘fit for purpose’ individuals who comprise the KSAs needs to accomplish the task(s) at hand.  Teams can mirror the discrete views of its members.

    For example, our early research on the subject assessed the different approaches Japanese nationals took when negotiating with white American males.  In each case, the individual players were deemed to be homogenous.

    Nothing could be further from the truth.  Each individual, in this case all males were of different ages, different education, from different regions of their respective countries, married or not and so forth and so on.

    The reality is that individuals do not negotiate deals.  Teams do.   Members of teams, like juries need to arrive at the same place prior to engaging with other collaborative counterparts.

    Juries need to be arrive at consensus.  Likewise, organizational team members must arrive at a similar place internally prior to going forward.  This not to say that individuals must cave to the will of the majority or the Tyranny of the Minority.  It is to say, a common position that all must accept as part of collaboration or consensus.

    Inclusive?

    There is no doubt that token individuals and in some case high profile figureheads have been put forth to ‘prove’ inclusivity.  Thankfully, those days are fading.

    Teams need to have the input of all members, even contrarians.  Often it is the outlier that has the most insight into a difficult problem.  Differences of opinion need to be resolved and a go forward plan agreed upon.

    Often, individuals do not speak up.  Perhaps they are new to the environment, shy or unsure of themselves.  Whatever the reason their input must be sought and at least given a fair hearing.

    Training can help elicit input from the reticent.  Moreover, they help dominate individuals acknowledge and accept said input.

    How Does Your Organization Assure Real Inclusion?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    For more on DEI Standards, see the newly released ISO-30415.

    You can contact this author as well.

  • Learn from the Big Guy

    Learn from the Big Guy

    We have all heard the flight attendant say, “Thank you for flying with us and welcome your destination, another on time arrival.”  Usually stated with gusto, as if an on time arrival was uncommon!

    Pundits and politicians are telling us that Santa will be late this year.  More salt on the wound, the jolly elf may not have everything on our list.  “Say it isn’t so, oh the humanities.”  Pass the eggnog please, Clark.

    This prognosticator suspects they are all wrong!!  Every young child knows that Santa, Mrs. Claus and their host of elves make all the toys, all year long at the North Pole.  So what’s the problem?  They are wrapping (pun?) things up even as you read this piece, right?

    Well, the dirty little secret is that somewhere along the way, Santa outsourced and even offshored his manufacturing and much of his distribution.  Must have been when the elves went on strike during Y2K.  Toy manufacturing no longer takes place at the North Pole.

    Be ‘SMART’ About Things

    However, Santa is a visionary.  He is a SMART Manufacturing Early Adopter, even an Innovator.  Shortly after, “The term Smart Manufacturing was coined in 2006 at a National Science Foundation workshop on Cyberinfrastructure,” Santa secretly developed his Proof of Concept and later a Pilot at a North Pole toy facility.  Legend has it that by 2012 he was deploying enterprise level SMART Toy Manufacturing at global scale.

    Today, some of Santa’s Helpers appear to be struggling against the firm deadline.  Their level of ’empowerment’ and creativity will determine how well the territory they are responsible for fares later this month.

    For those in real trouble, one suspects that Santa has already done two (2) things.  First he has probably sent in Teams of supply chain Subject Matter Expert elves to help suppliers get processes back on track  Additionally, he has transferred business from those who might miss the deadline to those forward looking firms that value High Reliability Organizational traits and will perform against the deadline.

    Santa is not only SMART, he and his organization are Resilient!

    Disruptions Amongst Us

    When things go bump-in-the-night with a supply chain, the worst thing Santa’s Helpers can do is fib.  Check is in the mail, dog ate my homework, I over slept, my car would not start, my computer crashed and so forth and so on.  Like most parents of small children, he has heard it all before over his long life.

    Santa always knows ‘who has been bad and good,’ and Data Analytics does not lie about his supply chain ecosystem.  You can try to hide but you cannot run.  While coal is out favor these days, Santa still have plenty to deliver as necessary.  Coal in your stocking would ruin a Carbon Free Holiday, so behave.

    Yes Virginia,

    There is a Santa Claus and he has never screwed things up!  He will fly from his distribution center at the North Pole the night of December 24th.  As he always has.  On the morning of the 25th, kids all over the world will celebrate.  The supply chain Grinch will not steal from the kiddos.  All will be joyful and full of song.

    Santa will deliver, despite the challenges faced.  If he can, why can’t your organization?  For those who have seen the movie Miracle on 34th Street, you know he is real?  In that movie, he delivers a house to a skeptical young girl.  He found a way.

    Santa has a global distribution problem– yet he always delivers on time to the largest customer base of all!  He has to for if he failed and his customer’s lost faith in him, it might be the end of the month of December as we know it.  The stakes could not be higher.

    Usher in the New Year

    Paraphrasing the late Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, “You go to war with the supply chain you have, not the supply chain you might want or wish to have at a later time.”  A later time always comes regardless of preparation or not.  If your organization is one of Santa’s Helpers/Suppliers that did not have business processes that were ‘smart’ enough this year, Happy New Year!  Start January 2nd to transform the old ways.

    For more about SMART Manufacturing, keep an eye our for the release of our 2022 book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  We will announce it on these pages when it is available.

    Hope you all found a bit of holiday cheer in this piece.  The story may be tongue-in-cheek, but the message is real.  It is time for all of us to ‘Get Smart.’  For those of you who were children of the 1960s, you will get the pun.  For the rest of you, GOOGLE IT!

    Happy Holidays

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • THE SCIENCE: The Reason We Need STEM

    THE SCIENCE: The Reason We Need STEM

    Almost every day, we hear that “The Science” says . . .  We are told Covid-19 and Climate Change are based on The Science and as such we must accept that expert analyses as ‘settled.’  Then something changes and once more the science police demand we accept their new interpretation.

    The near-term result: confusion and lack of trust, even acrimony.  The Science, as presented by the media, politicians and others is a static solution.  As we follow The Science, we are told we must adjust but not necessarily why.

    There is no reason to trust to fate or our political betters (call themselves elites).  The Science is not that mysterious.  The term is meant to deride most of us, including degreed scientists like this author.  Might want to ask those pontificating to define the ‘Scientific Method.’

    Set at the beginning of the 20th Century Space Race, the movie, Hidden Figures brought broad attention to the mathematical genius of a group of then unknown women.  They were instrumental helping the fledgling NASA achieve the early goals of manned space flight, including the lunar landings.  They understood The Science better than others.

    On the Shoulders of Giants

    With the social deck stacked against them, these women rose above the norms of the time and accomplished feats unknown and certainly unexpected by contemporaries.  Perhaps more importantly, they demonstrated that math and science is not reserved for elites.  They educated all of us.

    We live in a technological age and told shortly everything will be ‘Smart.’  The workforce will change, and our view of the world will be dramatically different.  Moreover, many of us will no longer be relevant or even employable.  Balderdash!

    Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

    STEM is the anacronym for the set of technical knowledge embodied in these ‘hard’ disciplines.  Collectively, they form the backbone of our 21st Century economy and social advancement.  While liberal arts disciplines are important, STEM knowledge is critical if we are to hold the ‘experts’ accountable.

    Increasingly, ‘soft’ or social skills are also seen as important.  The old concept of the ‘Nerd’ is giving way to the technologist with human empathy.

    The emerging generation(s) will need STEM expertise as well as soft skills.  In some ways this is no different than previous times when the Titans of Industry changed their world.  Building on new technologies, they built business.  A successful business requires a knowledgeable workforce that can monetize technology.

    The titans this time are everyday men and women, even juveniles.  Knowledge of STEM subjects is dictating individual success or failure.  Get on the STEM train.

    Role of R B C

    We have routinely commented on the Relationships, Behaviors, Conditions model first put forth in the 1990s.  From a previous blog, “One of the basic tenets of the RBC Framework is the general construct that Relationships cannot be determined a priori.  The well-used example is a man and a woman sitting on a bench at a bus stop.  Are they married, siblings, coworkers, friends or simply two people waiting to catch the same/different bus?

    Their relationship cannot be known directly.  However, their Behaviors will provide insight into how they relate to each other.  Romantic behavior may indicate marriage, dating, an affair etc. They may still be coworkers but most likely are not strangers.

    The third dimension, Conditions (environment) can be considered the stage upon which behaviors play.”

    One can make the case that STEM is a condition or situation.  In other words, our technology environment.  The behavior of individuals with these skill sets will determine the relationship these individuals have with their peers, customers/business ecosystem and economy/society in general.

    Finally

    We spend a lot of time, quoting “The Science.”  Most vocalizing the term are not scientists or even qualified to understand its basic tenets.  But taken as gospel because of some perceived authority, i.e., politicians, newscasters, celebrities and bureaucrats among others.

    This scientist suggests that STEM is necessary to assure the emerging generations understand “The Science” and how it can actually be used to benefit mankind.  And, oh yea and make a buck!

    Where does STEM fit in Your Organization’s Strategy?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • Heavy Metal Rocks

    Heavy Metal Rocks

    Not the rock bands of the 1960s–1980s, but the mining required to extract the heavy metals necessary for electric vehicles and other renewable energy solutions.  So, what is a heavy metal and why do we care?

    Typically, “In science, a heavy metal is a metallic element which is toxic and has a high density, specific gravity or atomic weight. However, the term means something slightly different in common usage, referring to any metal capable of causing health problems or environmental damage.”  Often these toxic elements are carcinogenic.

    For most readers this will not come as a surprise.  The heavy metals in batteries can be recycled, thus minimizing their negative impact on the environment and subsequently, humans and other life forms, i.e., the food chain.  However, smaller batteries are typically tossed into the trash.  Larger ones such as lead acid automotive batteries are usually reclaimed (for a fee to the consumer).

    From this pundit’s perspective, it is too early in the technology maturity to fully understand how millions of EV (electric vehicle) will be recycled effectively and economically.  Managing the lifecycle of these ‘elements’ from mining, use, recycling and reuse is a significant component of these renewables.  There is a cost associated with this process, both monetary and socially.

    Total Carbon Ownership

    In the business, the term TCO usually referees to the Total Cost of Ownership.  Updated, this Lifecycle metric may better reflect the Total Carbon impact of a product/solution, i.e., large scale batteries, solar panel, fossil fuels, etc.

    TCO = Carbon as a function of two major lifecycle elements; Operations and Decommissioning.

    For this purpose we define Operations (aka Use) as the lifecycle process from mineral extraction, manufacturing, deployment and maintenance.

    Decommissioning is the process of taking out of service, removal and appropriate disposal of components, including recycling.

    Follow on from our blog of November 2, 2021, where Milton Friedman detailed the complex supply chain required to manufacture a simple yellow graphite pencil, one can only imagine how complex the requirements are for a wind turbine.  Carbon neutral is not a simple problem to solve.

    Enter Structural Dynamics

    Many readers understand that Machine Learning Algorithms use the statistical multivariable method, Multiple Linear Regression–defined as, where “one variable is estimated by the use of more than one other variable.”  While this tool can be useful when assessing the impact and relationships of several independent variables, it does not necessarily help organizations to understand their TCO.

    Theoretically, every economic actor in the supply chain or the decommissioning process can calculate their carbon footprint for each​ product/step they control.  In the real world, such intangibles, i.e., safety are open to interpretation, ‘fudging’ or worse.  Moreover, we can expect large gaps or errors (inadvertent or otherwise) in carbon models that must be addressed if we are to realistically address the carbon problem.

    In the 1990s as a result of watching a number of systemic enterprise failures and/or poor performance, and wondering how this happened with such regularity the questions was raised–why?  This led this author coin the term with the subsequent book, Structural Dynamics: Foundation of Next Generation Management Science.

    Most do not understand the processes and structural changes at work on a daily basis.  Focused on near term performance metrics, they lose sight of the forest while concentrating on the trees.  The subsequent disruption caused is often rapid and economically cataclysmic.

    Structural Dynamics uses tools such as Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to seek to identify the underlying process and structural movements.  It appears to be a useful tool to address the Total Carbon Ownership that organizations will have to address in the very near future.

    Dealing With Residuals

    Whether heavy metals or carbon, organizations must also assure ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria are met throughout the energy lifecycle.  However, there is a cost associated with these and other organizational structures from the deployment and/or use of energy of all types.

    TCO is a decades long cost that can transcend actual corporate life, i.e., acquisition, bankruptcy, etc.  Currently, the oil and gas industry is littered with assets no one claims ownership.  Two cases follow:

    • Stranded assets are, “those investments which are made but which, at some time prior to the end of their economic life (as assumed at the investment decision point), are no longer able to generate an economic return, as a result of changes in the market and regulatory environment.”  These resources are no longer worth continued investment.
    • Abandoned assets have reached the end of life.  By one source, it is estimated that there are approximately 53,000 Gulf of Mexico offshore oil and gas well in this category.  Remediation costs range from $500k to $10 million per well–min $26.5 billion.

    It is reasonable to expect that all sources in the ‘energy basket’ will have similar end of life futures.  Green is therefore, not unique.

    “Forewarned is Forearmed”

    A Serious Assessment

    This pundit believes that scant attention has been paid to the lifecycle (economic and social) price of renewables and that the Total Carbon Ownership cost has never been calculated–certainly not published.  However, there are tools that will shed light on this going forward.

    TCO is a function of a detailed and long lifecycle, not unlike oil and gas assets that in some cases are over half a century old.  Any subsequent model of this process is by default complex, detailed and full of unknowns, or unmeasured latent variables.

    The approached this writer has developed using Structural Equation Modeling driven by Structural Dynamics seems well fitted to address this longitudinal and futuristic problem.

    For many, the so-called ‘green energy’ seems without consequences.  The history of energy suggests otherwise.  A full assessment using Structural Dynamics can reveal gaps, misunderstandings, errors and omissions.

    This model will advise management and even regulators what the true cost of an energy source is.  The approach is worthy of a serious discussion.  By the way, this model works for all sources of energy including coal and other fossil fuels as well as renewables.

    What is Your Firm’s TCO and How Can It be Lowered?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    Interested in Cross Cultural Engagement or DEI, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.

    Contact the author for information on these and others subjects covered in the Critical Mass series.

  • Welcome to the 70s—Again!

    Welcome to the 70s—Again!

    This Baby Boomer graduated from college in 1970.  Just in time for Saturday Night Fever and Grease, Avocado colored refrigerators and Harvest Gold dinnerware.  Plus, the best friend a then bachelor ever had–the microwave oven!

    Not to forget the Gasoline Lines and Hyper Inflation, Vietnam, Peace/Race Protests/Riots, a Major Recession, Stagflation and other wonderful (not) youthful memories–ugly political and economic time not wished on future generations.  Adjusted for inflation a gallon of gasoline was $0.36 in 1970.  By 1980 it was $1.19–greater than a 330% increase.

    Seems like as Yoga Berra once said, “It’s like déjà vu all over again,” or ‘Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”  Yet here we are again, or so it seems.

    While I am not dusting off my leisure suit or growing what’s left of my hair, if as this boomer believes we are beginning to relive the 1970s economy, so what should we do?  How should we respond to this new, yet old situation?

    Most financial planners, corporate executives, academics, regulators and others were either not old enough or even alive when the economic and political shocks of the 1970s engulfed the globe.  Without this experienced knowledge, many maybe ill equipped to deal with the current  tsunami that is building.  Perhaps a critical concern for everyone’s 401K retirement investments?

    Hyper inflation is a cancer.  It destroys economies and even societies, not to mention families and individuals in its wake.  Real estate may be a winner if anyone can afford to purchase your house.  However, equities struggle and cash is toast.  From 1970 to 1980 the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced a scant 5 percent.

    How does this compare with an over 300% increase in the gasoline we all needed for our automobiles?  Short answer, it does not and individual households went backward during that period.

    So What Do We Do Now?

    Flight to quality.  But what represents quality?  Big Tech comes to mind but what is the underlying value proposition of a web based database?  The outage of a major player blamed on a network issue and a number of (internal) cascading issues–the plague of many industrial incidents including Deepwater Horizon questions that proposition.

    Are companies this vulnerable in our age of digitalization, or was this a sign of something else?  As with many IT oriented decisions, “It depends.”  The fact that one of the world’s largest, high profile web based companies suffered a significant outage, not as a result of a cyber attack but apparently its own technical incompetency is not reassuring in a Cloud based global economy.

    The something else–we have discussed the need for High Reliability for complex sectors including the 16 sectors the US Homeland Security deems as Critical Infrastructure.  Social media is not on that list, but manufacturing is.  In our forthcoming (2022) book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability,” we address risk mitigation strategies that can inoculate organizations from such catastrophic IT failures.

    Heavy industries such as oil and gas are routinely criticized when a catastrophic incident occurs.  These need no longer happen and we have put forth strategies routinely for more than a decade including in our 2014 book, Implementing a Culture of Safety: A Roadmap to Performance-Based Compliance.

    As we move into the ‘Smart’ era, it will be incumbent on organizations to take steps to mitigate what happened to a web based chat room provider.  The exogenous risk of critical infrastructure failing is significant, per the recent Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack and the systemic damage done to the US east coast.

    The 1970s were marked by turmoil and follow on from the late 1960s.  Richard Nixon took the country off the Gold Standard opening up significant economic and individual distress.  We appear to be on the cusp of Yogi’s cautionary tale.  It does not have to be, but appears likely.  Is the US dollar no longer the world’s reserve currency in a era of bitcoin?  If so, what are the ramifications?

    Finally, as the son of parents from the Greatest Generation, I admit I never faced the challenges they endured.  During my 20s, the period was an inconvenience, yet one I do not care to relive in my 70s.  The graphic was taken from the Internet without citation.  The author is unknown but we acknowledge his/her sense of humor.  AND I can relate to it!

    The Fed has indicated Inflation (Stagflation?) is here to stay.  To this individual, this is a scary statement even though it posited as essentially ‘no big deal.’  We will see in a year if it was as big a deal as it was in the 1970s.

    How will You Manage in this Environment?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    Interested in Cross Cultural Engagement or DEI, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.

    For more information on these and others subjects covered in the Critical Mass series contact this author.

  • Data, Data Everywhere but Not an Answer in Sight

    Data, Data Everywhere but Not an Answer in Sight

    Awash with data, how many decisions made actually use it to add value?  Too few one suspects and partly because decision-making systems are not designed for this volume.  Much is made about Big Data and the value it can add to a business.  However, there is little said about the software applications and compute power that are necessary.

    Data, like information is a continuous feed from a variety of often conflicting sources. How this often subjective data is normalized which can lead to skewed results.

    One has only to look at daily news casts about any given subject to find a variety of ‘opinions’ as opposed to actual non-bias reporting.  One can argue that there is no objectivity with most analyses.

    So it is true with data analysis.  Data bias is a well known phenomena and clouds objectivity.  This matters most when organizations are making critical decisions.

    As we enter into the ‘Smart’ era data issues will not only be on the Critical Path, they will be the possibly be a major point of failure and significant operational losses and perhaps significant injury or even loss of life.

    In the last blog we discussed the difference in a methodology (The Science) vs new and often conflicting data.  We expand on the data mess, confusion, apparent flip flop, bias(es) and political agendas.

    While all of this might be political sport for a pandemic.  Can you run an organization based on this data?  Probably not a successful one!

    This author has addressed organizational governance issues for decades. We saw Sarbanes-Oxley, Asset Integrity, and now ESG.  It is time data had a seat at the board room?

    Decision Maker Beware

    Management is paid to make decisions based on uncertain, incomplete and often conflicting inputs.  It pays to have an understanding of the limitations of data and the software application decision makers.  Your career may depend on it.

    How Do You Know that the Data Upon Which You Make Decisions is Valid and Reliable?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

     

  • Questions, Questions, Questions

    Questions, Questions, Questions

    Picture sourced from LinkedIn, author unknown.

    It seems like there are a lot of answers these days, even to questions that have not been posed.  As of this writing, this author understands that masks work for Covid-19 but vaccines not so much although we are advised to get the shots and even a third one this fall.  So many flip-flops I feel like I spent the last year on a beach.

    Claiming, The settled Science says … is an answer designed to shut down debate.  Facts are, unless one believes the world is flat or the earth is the center of the universe (thank you Galileo Galilei), science is never settled.  If it were. we would be living in a Flintstones’ world.

    “And the Answer Is . . .”

    Thank you Alex.  For almost two years, we have been told the answers to the Covid-19 crisis are understood and the data is valid and reliable.   Then it isn’t.  Blamed on a dynamic and changing environment, we are told “we are following the science.”  Or perhaps just a political slogan.

    “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!”  Just sit down, shut up and do as your told is often the mantra when authorizes’ edicts are questioned.  Good advise for a toddler but not so much for those over the age of 10.

    Are We There Yet?

    Tesla crashes are the latest Big Data enabled autopilot failures.  The level of maturity regarding digitalization and its various cousins has been discussed in this blog before.  Begging the question, are we ready for data Prime Time?

    We are besieged with answers from all manner of pundits, both electronic and in person.  We are told, “we must believe” without any serious discussion or in-depth assessment of the explanation.  Moreover, many of these statements regarding technology have not undergone the Scientific Method process.

    The result; many do not believe.  Covid-19 vaccination concerns are but one example of this squandering of faith.  Readers may have other issues that bother them.

    One consistent argument for not taking the inoculation is that vaccines take many years to develop and vet.  Perhaps, in the past but (1) we don’t have years with this deadly virus and (2) technology marches on and perhaps years are no longer required.  One can argue that this lack of trust is a result of so many answers in advance of the questions.

    How is your organization assuring that Answers are not being provided before the Questions are asked?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • Crisis Management: The Need for Internal Consistency

    Crisis Management: The Need for Internal Consistency

    Attributed to former US Senator and Governor Rhode Island, Lincoln Chafee, “Trust is built with consistency.”  Moreover, from statistics we know that Internal Consistency, “measures whether several items that propose to measure the same general construct produce similar scores.”  The follow on definition statistical reliability, “is the consistency of a set of measurements or measuring instrument, often used to describe a test.”

    In our July 20, 2021 post, Are Your DEI Wheels Spinning? we posited that positive behavioral change as a result of a new situation/condition must result in relationships built on trust.  Without said trust, positive behavioral change is unlikely.

    Situational Change and Differences of Opinion

    Responsible individuals, organizations, and even industrial sectors can disagree.  In fact, ‘academic argument’ is a key component of the Scientific Method and science is never settled.  Moreover, most situations are fluid and those in crisis tend to be agitated.

    That said, crisis management techniques demand well defined processes with identified owners.  Moreover, data must be shared and meet the dual tests of ‘valid and reliable.’  There is no room for sloppiness or data bias as was found in more than one occasion during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Some argue that Covid-19 data issues are unique and due the global nature of the problem.  However, we are told that Big Data is the future or actually is now.  Solving Climate Change, enabling driverless electric vehicles and so on and so forth.  Based on current performance, it would appear we have a ways to go.  Despite statements to the contrary it is possible implement decision support systems quickly and with success.  This is actually not a new process.

    Street Cred

    Often viewed from the perspective of the colloquial.  One attains credibility based on perceived performance and not necessarily as a function of actual accomplishment.  Usually, highly visible this Influencer can hold sway in larger ways than are actually justified.  However, in their orbit these individuals hold the trust of their followers.  Those holding contrary views will lack trust from this group but may hold significant trust from others skeptical of said leader.

    Both sides can loose trust and cred if ‘holes’ appear in the story line, narrative or agenda.  If the internal consistency of each position is weak, internal group pressures may ultimately destroy any impression of belief and trust.

    This is somewhat where the world is with the established Public Health authorities.  Many hold the perception of perhaps actual misinterpretation, analysis and presentation of the Covid-19 data sets.  The counter position lacks credibility as well.

    R B C

    We have been a proponent of the Relationships, Behaviors, Conditions model for almost thirty years.  Simply put, when situations or conditions change, human behavior changes and vis-à-vis.  This directly impacts on the relationships between individuals or groups, even societies.

    Large, controversial conditional movements, often with poor and even incompetent supporting data can lead to the erosion and even the complete breakdown of trust among affected parties.  Emotional, hyperbole, draconian and biased positions can accelerate the breakdown of trust.

    Once this bond is broken, rebuilding trust is a very lengthy process.  Rebuilding trust is an act of leadership!

    What is your organization doing to keep trust intact?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • Are Your DEI Wheels Spinning?

    Are Your DEI Wheels Spinning?

    Originally published as a LinkedIn article on July 6, 2021, this updated version is reprinted here with the permission of the author.  Links to relevant sources are added.

    Lately, many LinkedIn posts bemoan the state of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The seeming slow take up of great ideas.

    Some argue that DEI initiatives are no more than window dressing or organizational efforts to stave-off litigation. To others, they have the appearance of one more management initiative that if waited out will simply go away like so many others before.

    Fundamentally, DEI initiatives require change. A change of (B)ehaviors in the face of seemingly new situations or influencing (C)onditions (Circumstances, Capabilities, Cultures, Environments). When these two variables evolve, so do exiting (R)elationships. The RBC model is well established in social science and was first used to model Cross-Cultural (international business) Negotiations.

    It is multi-dimensional including a temporal schema capable of addressing numerous aspects of human behavior. Furthermore, it encompasses cultural as well as other situational aspects such as individual backgrounds.

    We tested this model using Japanese and American executives. This culturally diverse group needed to develop a level of trust if negotiation outcomes were to be successful.

    Likewise, successful DEI initiatives require that culturally diverse groups develop a high level of trust among those working together and/or members of teams.

    “Tell Me and I Forget. Teach Me and I Remember. Involve Me and I Learn”

    Attributed to Benjamin Franklin, this quote tells us all we need to know. The so-called Death by PowerPoint lecture long in vogue are often forgettable. Instruction, along with the homework prerequisite and tests are traditional methods. Finally, engaging individuals, teams, departments and even entire organizations can create long standing sustainable knowledge that is the basis for behavioral transformation.

    Paper based serious games or “games whose purpose is other than entertainment” originated in the late 1960-70s. In a nutshell, this is an interactive training solution. Subsequently, online serious games can incorporate actual scenarios designed to immerse players solving real world challenges.

    Rather than a video game whereby players engage with electronic decision trees, human-to-human serious games train players/teams to deal with diverse yet real colleagues. Collaborative scenarios direct participants to collectively solve problems while learning how their culturally dissimilar counterparts address the same challenge.

    Scenarios can drive engagement by all players including those who may not be typically involved in decision making processes. This is also a safe, no-harm no-foul environment with little to no individual decision-making risk.

    Transformation

    Any successful ‘change’ initiative must answer the What’s in It for Me? question. Humans may resist change if they do not see personal value from such actions. Moreover, while senior executive leadership is required, heavy handed top down My Way or The Highway may result in direct resistance, and/or a more crowed freeway to the exit ramp.

    For example, the current version of the smart phone was first available circa 2007. According to Statista, approximately 1.38 billion smartphones were sold in 2020. Likewise, over 46 percent of the global population own these devices.

    What does this have to do with DEI? In 2006 cellphones were great and becoming ubiquitous. No one knew they needed a smartphone. Our collective Behavioral transformation was caused because the What’s in it for Me question was answered.

    One component of the Conditions criteria, Capability changed as this technology enabled individuals to drive new behaviors based on Apps that emerged. The resulting transformation in our Relationships is well documented, i.e., the use of text as opposed to voice.

    Sustained transformation requires continued energy. The term ‘initiative’ implies a short-term event and one that will pass.

    Trust must be established and maintained. Over time, sustained energy will result in critical mass, or the (statistically significant) number of individuals engaged and trusting each other. This self-sustaining energy is transformation.

    Reframing DEI Initiatives into the RBC Framework can enable dramatic and rapid transformation. Take advantage of these types of cross-cultural models.

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • Roadmap to Decision Making In the ‘Smart’ Era

    Roadmap to Decision Making In the ‘Smart’ Era

    “Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”

    — Napoleon Bonaparte

    Volumes have been written on decision-making and this pundit has offered his share of insight and comment on the subject as well.  Some of our comments regard the appropriateness of the human intercession in electronic decision making.  Others raise questions regarding algorithm fallibility.  Moreover, Human Factors must be considered for any technology initiative which are becoming increasingly important.

    If one unpacks the previous paragraph a substantial level of complexity emerges.  As complexity increases so does risk and the need from proper governance.  However, many still see this potential transformation through the lens of just another IT initiative.

    Roadmap

    The oil and gas industry faced a similar dilemma at the dawn of the 21st Century.  At the time, referred to as DOFF or Digital Oilfield of the Future, a plethora of technologies became available.  The task was to transform 100 plus years of traditional operation to what is now referred to as the Digital Oilfield, aka Integrated Operations and a number or synonyms.  While this processes continues to evolve as new solutions emerge, i.e., Cloud, at the time much was trial and error.

    In conjunction with industry leadership, we released our Roadmap to Enterprise Optimization: A Guide to the Impact of Information Driven Field Operations on the Petroleum Corporation in the fall of 2004.  We believe it was the first industry (POSC) supported effort that was not simply research but a ‘bona fide’ action plan or roadmap to success based on industry/other knowledge, standards, economic value and best practices.

    Click for full size Integrated Operations Framework or graphic

    Since then, we have updated this roadmap into an Operational Excellence Platform.  Note that Integrated Operations is a key component.  The platform is a robust detailed solution that is available not just to the energy sector but all sectors identified by Homeland Security as Critical Infrastructure.  These sectors were recently identified as susceptible to hacking by the US government.

    Getting Smart

    Enormous corporate (shareholder) wealth has been destroyed implementing ‘game changing’ technology enabled transformation efforts.  Are we about to do that again, getting smart?  The easy answer is yes, but it does not have to be.

    Roadmap constructs are well understood and provide guidance.  In some models the step by step process provide practitioners with well defined models that can lead to success–defined as on time and under budget performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

    We are in the process of writing a book, to be released in 2022.  One chapter will define a roadmap for the transformation to ‘Smart’ for a major industrial segment.  As with earlier works, it will focus on the human element aligned with a technology assessment process.

    Get Smart was a comedic TV show spoofing the Cold War ‘spy’ environment of the 1960s.  Getting Smart today may not be a lot different.  The goal under a ‘Cone of Silence‘ was to attain and sustain competitive advantaged achieving superior stakeholder returns.

    Getting smart in 2021 will require a ‘Roadmap to Smart.’  A set of ‘to do’ processes that assures success.

    What is your Organization’s Plan to put Smart Decisioning Making Processes in Place?

     

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • ESG Implementation–Strong v Weak Revisited

    ESG Implementation–Strong v Weak Revisited

    “A healthy corporation acts on the interests of its stakeholders and customers”

    — Ari Melber, Journalist

    Currently, organizations are being implored to implement Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) driven business models.   Proponents even suggest that investment in organizations that do not have this imprimatur should be avoided or even divested.

    However, one wonders what has changed?  Successful firms, private and public have long understood that they must add value to their constituencies.  One example, a few decades ago an energy services provider used its high volume oilfield pumps to help a small town in Kansas where it had a district office drain flood waters.  Why would they do this?  Perhaps because employees lived in this community or perhaps it was just the right thing to do.

    Flash forward and we find organizational largess still in place.  During the recent Texas freeze, a local furniture retailer opened its doors to dispossessed individuals and families.  The owner has a long record of supporting the community and his responses to local disasters is legendary.

    After the Deepwater Horizon incident in April 2010, our firm started to look at Asset Integrity issues in oilfield operations.  Our discoveries transcended several Critical Infrastructure segments.  The recent failure of the Colonial Pipeline is a manifestation of issues uncovered yet not resolved more than a decade ago!

    Focus on Operations

    In 2011, we posited that organizational governance was not just a financial issue at the ‘C’ level.  Rather its true focus should be at the revenue generating asset level.  This led to our 2011 groundbreaking monograph, Asset/Equipment Integrity Governance: Operations–Enterprise Alignment.  Therein, we posited a new governance model that incorporated the ESG components widely discussed today.

    Moreover, in 2014 our book, IMPLEMENTING A CULTURE of SAFETY: A ROADMAP FOR PERFORMANCE BASED COMPLIANCE identified the requirement for organizations in the Critical Infrastructure space to change governance models to one of Strong Bond.

    Following the release of our AIG model, we put forth a Strong v Weak governance model to manage High Reliability Organizations (HRO) necessary for firms in Critical Infrastructure sectors.  Strong Bond is appropriate for organizations in Critical Infrastructure segments, while Weak Bonds may be better for retail.

    One suspects that ESG is another tick in the box.  If ten years (or earlier) from now another critical system fails, it will not be because HRM processes were not followed or ESG verbiage was in the annual report Letter to Shareholders; it will be because nothing really changed.  As of this writing the US Federal government is advising organizations in Critical Infrastructure sectors to more aggressively address cybersecurity risks.

    Why is this? Do Boards and CEOs need politicians and bureaucrats to tell them about the details of running a business?  If they do, investors may want to revisit their portfolios.

    One suspects that the ESG fad will fade. There will always be a new management mantra that consultants will put forth.  Well run organizations will remain well run.  Others not so much.

    Governance models come and go.  Regardless, how will you assure your organization is well run?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • Its the Heart

    Its the Heart

    “A good, quick, small team can beat a big, slow team any time.”

    — Paul William “Bear” Bryant, legendary college football coach

    In the early 1990s my former wife and I, both avid sailors decorated our boat for the local Christmas Boat Lane Parade.  While we had some help, most of the work was performed by the two of us.  That 27 foot sailboat, one of the smallest in the fleet that year won the overall Best In Fleet Grand Prize.  During the presentation, we were asked how many worked decorating the boat which had over 10,000 Christmas tree lights mounted on several three dimensional frames.  At the awards ceremony, when we told them that it was a very small team–this explanation was met with disbelief.

    During World War II, the mathematician, Alan Turing led a small tightly knit team breaking the German Enigma code, saving upwards to several million people.  A dramatization of his team’s challenges were captured in the 2014 movie, The Imitation Game.

    These two very different examples have one thing in common–Coach Bryant’s admonition.  Entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs, Sir Richard Branson, Elon Musk and others have long argued that one should hire the best people and turn them loose.  Looks like sound advise.  This may be the reason start up firms consistently beat established larger organizations with greater resources.

    Inclusion

    Teams often appear to be cliques.  Much like the kids game where teams are divided up based on favoritism as ‘buddies’ are selected.  Any non-buddy can be effectively excluded since he or she may not be part of the in-crowd.

    In the movie, Turning was initially shunned by both team members as well as his superior.  He did not fit in.  In a large team he may have drifted into the background where his perspectives might not even be heard.  However, as a key ‘different’ member of a small team, his views could not be easily dismissed although they were disagreed with and even hated.  Yet they became part of the discussion and eventually the entire team supported him and ‘now their’ solution saved millions.

    During this period, the Tuskegee Airmen faced even greater challenges.  While some individuals and units may have been forced to accept them, their highly visible contributions could not be denied by those directly benefiting from their inclusion into the air bombardment task force.  Likely, this would not be as conspicuous if they were part of a larger organization.

    Bottom Line

    Not only are small high performance teams usually more successful, they offer all team members a better opportunity to be included in the activity.  This is even more true virtually when it is often difficult to prevent one party from attempting to dominate meetings.  Talking over people and/or raising one’s voice is a tried and true way to bully in a meeting and it is almost impossible to control virtually with a large group.

    Similar to atomic energy, it is not the amalgamation of large quantities of dynamite that makes the biggest bang.  It is the release of the smallest that is the Big Bang!  Harness the power of your team atom.

    What is Your Organization’s Small Team Strategy?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • Point of View

    Point of View

    What Are We Doing?

     

    An interesting sign of the times.  Individuals on social media who identify themselves by name, photo, job (even senior) title, organization etc. are taking controversial positions on a variety of often emotional subjects.  In the old days discussions about , sex, politics and religion were off limits in the corporate environment.  Apparently, not any more.

    If the recent election results are to be believed; 74 million voted for one candidate and 81 million for the other.  So if you are pontificating about one position, you are potentially alienating half of your clients, coworkers, superiors, etc.  What’s the point in doing this?

    Short term high possibly; however, items posted online remain forever.  Seems career limiting for a brief moment of venting.

    New Normal Model?

    First Amendment and all that aside, shouldn’t all of us govern our written feelings?  Writing, so and so is a jerk and I can’t stand him or her maybe a feel good moment.  However, do we do this in real life?  Generally not.

    Like sexting, baring your soul online might not be the best approach.  Tempered, as in the real world is probably a better model.  Most of us filter our response to controversial subjects in a business and even social environments.

    Why is this filter frequently off when we are online?  Some believe there that online presences have a level of anonymity.  Yet there is no evidence this is remotely true.

    Passions of the moment can run deep and after all it is just my opinion and it is my right to express it.  Theoretically this is correct but certain individuals are having accounts closed if the perception by monitors disagrees with their position.  More importantly, the sticky nature of posts may come back to haunt posters.

    Suggestion

    We are all entitled to our opinions and can express them in a number of ways.  The voting booth and political activism are one way.  Our religious affiliation is another and our sexual preferences are accepted these days.  Taking others to task online for their preference seems intolerant and not relevant when one is seeking to advance one’s career using social media.

    Put the older filters back on and reserve judgment for the voting booth, the bedroom and houses of worship.  The cost of venting on these subjects may be quite high and you may never know why you were not promoted, hired, or sales proposal rejected.  Finally, most organizations will have a clause as part of the employment agreement not to use company affiliation the way many are.

    We all have opinions, yet how are you remaining professional online?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • You’re Kidding, Right?

    You’re Kidding, Right?

    Not Again

     

    In 2018 we posted an opinion regarding social media driven sales ‘cold calling.’  As noted then, the comments went along the lines, “I reviewed your profile and I know I can help.”  This unsolicited approach continues to be blown off by this and other pundits/potential customers as amateurish.

    Recently, the tactic has sifted.  Now the argument seems to refrain (not literally), “I have reviewed your profile and I would like to offer you something that you have no interest in.”  What?

    In the past few weeks, I have been offered the opportunity to ‘buy in’ to an insurance agency, retain a coach, buy a franchise specifically chosen for me, and any number of prospect generation engagements.  Kidding right?  As if I do not know how to run my business?

    Innovative solutions that individuals and organizations are not aware of can add value and ‘reaching out’ to inform those unaware is legitimate and a long standing sales approach.  Most prospects welcome this knowledge and then can make an informed decision as to the relevance to their needs.

    Lunch and Learn models come to mind.  If I respond to this invitation, perhaps I am a qualified prospect worthy of follow up.

    The Call Back . . .

    Then, “Since you did not respond, I am sending you the same crap again“.  Maybe there was no response because the owner of a software company does not want to invest in the insurance business.

    A follow up should further the prospects knowledge, thus generating interest.  Regurgitating the same o ‘ same o ‘ is pointless, if not insulting.

    What a waste of everyone’s time, including the seller.  If the idea is just to blast everyone and see what sticks, this approach has never really worked.

    For example, somehow despite my being on the ‘no mail’ list this writer routinely receives (snail) junk mail from an AC service company that is not nearby, two real estate brokers I have no relationship with (one because they sold the house next to mine last year) and the infamous, home insurance renewal scam.

    Finally, I love the one whereby the vendor will send me qualified leads for my stock brokerage business.  What filter did that guy use?  Maybe AI.  As might be expected, none of these vendors received a call back, much less a sale.

    Someone With Your Name

    We have all received notification that someone with your surname has died and her/his bank account has millions in it.  “I am writing to you because we can transfer this wealth to you.  Just send us your banking information.”

    How is any of this different from online cold calling?  At its core, it is not.  These approaches to selling are abusive and condescending.  Moreover, they are not likely to win any business.  They come across as scams and not bonifide offers.

    Develop a Value Proposition

    If you want my business, explain how its adds value to my life.  Don’t just blast out something you HOPE will get my attention.  Why do I need coaching?  Why do I need a franchise or insurance agency?  Tell me something that matters to me.

    I am sure this message will not be heeded and I expect to continue to receive worthless materials from people I do not know.  The waste of bits and bites will not stop.  Just know that like rewards from the African princesses, such requests will go to Junk.

    For a sales model that works, see our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM).  Additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM is available.

    Are You Doing Your Homework and Presenting Yourself/Organization as a Legitimate Provider?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.