Commonality March 23, 2010
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Change, Innovation
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One of the best ways to spark innovation or creativity is to look for parallels in other industries. Doing so, it doesn’t take long to see that seemingly disparate fields share more than meets the eye. Last month’s Insider’s View column touched on this topic as related to safety cultures in heavy industries like mining and construction. But it goes much deeper than that.
Most organizations must deal with difficult changes. “Change managers” are those who have effectively harnessed the business, psychological, and sociological aspects to bring about real, lasting behavioral adjustments. In all cases, true effectiveness comes from finding personal motivation (or negative consequences) to gain support and buy-in.
What about when that change manager (who may simply be a line manager or other supervisor) moves on to other things? Will the process remain in place? If done properly, it is possible to implement systems that encourage innovation and ideas – and more importantly, provide an outlet for them within the organization.
This is the common thread among virtually all industries. As groups of individuals, different organizations still must reflect the norms and behaviors present in the work force. When it is necessary to change them, it doesn’t matter if you are a small, boutique firm or a multinational oil company. Change isn’t easy, but it can be very powerful. Making positive use of this power is the real goal.
Why Are You Innovating? February 19, 2010
Posted by Jason in Insider's View Relapses.Tags: Decisions, Innovation, Strategy
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So many names have been suggested for the last decade; the Digital Decade, Hysteria Decade, the Aughts, the Naughts, the Double-0′s. It could just as well be called the Innovation Decade — not because of any particular real innovations, but because that’s what we all thought (and continue to think) we should be doing, even if (more…)
Engineering Management Project Social Media Best Practices January 28, 2010
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Innovation, Strategy
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How’s that for a title?
For some strange reason, the term “best practices” has been skulking around my little piece of the interweb lately. Sure, they’ve been around for a while, but what do they really mean?
Generally, best practices refer to those tried-and-true processes and procedures that will most economically help you reach some end result. It might be a particular way to build a component, reach a customer, or hire a new employee. In any case, the point is that if you seek out and apply these best practices, at best you are merely implementing what your competitors have already proven (perhaps years ago).
Two posts in particular dealt with the topic today: here and here. But the one that really caught my attention was this one from a month ago.
As an engineer, I depend on “best practices” on a regular basis. Sometimes, there really is one best way to manage storm water or build a sewer system. But from a strategic and innovation standpoint, best practices are all wet. You can’t beat your competitors at their own game by showing up late and borrowing their competencies. It’s necessary to move beyond and develop your own unique approach if you want to avoid being a commodity.
“The first time you do something, it’s science. The second time, it’s engineering. The third time, you’re a technician.” — Clifford Stoll
Golden Hour November 30, 2009
Posted by Jason in Insider's View Relapses.Tags: Change, Innovation
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It has been, to say the least, an interesting year. In retrospect, it should have come as little surprise that the last two columns dealing with motivation and stress struck such a chord with several readers. The recession has affected us all in various ways, from dropped projects to layoffs to outright business closures. As amazing as it may seem, there are still organizations that continue to grow and thrive in this environment — not because of luck, but because of careful, measured moves in the right directions over a long period of time. If yours is not one of them, I suspect you know of examples among your competitors, and it is difficult to avoid envy and admit that someone else has something that you don’t. (more…)
…But Not Too Boring November 18, 2009
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Innovation, Leadership, Risk
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A while back, I wrote a short response to an article about leadership – one that went out on a limb to say that “boring” leaders may be more successful than the high-profile, charismatic types that we might otherwise envision as fitting that role.
More recently, however, Seth Godin wrote, “As an organization grows and succeeds, it sows the seeds of its own demise by getting boring.” So, what’s going on here? How is it that “successful” leaders – those with “attention to detail, persistence, efficiency, analytic thoroughness, and the ability to work long hours” – appear to be heading down exactly the wrong path? (more…)
Your Own Cooking September 6, 2009
Posted by Jason in Insider's View Relapses.Tags: Innovation, Strategy
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Interesting times are afoot in the land development industry, providing several opportunities for exploring alternatives to the traditional client-consultant relationship. Firms may be facing big receivables as clients struggle to pay the more pressing bills, leaving engineers holding the bag. The situation may even reach a point at which the owner of an important project offers the firm an “opportunity” to accept a stake in the property and substitute equity for cash. This arrangement can clearly benefit the owner, since there may be much less cash paid out and the ownership risk is spread out just a bit more. But, what about for the engineer? Is this a losing proposition or a legitimate business arrangement? (more…)
Marketing Note April 21, 2009
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Advertising, Innovation, Marketing
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I’m always interested in creative advertising (or innovative, as the case may be). We often feel bombarded by marketing, and indeed it can rapidly reach annoying levels. That makes it all the more fun when an advertisement manages to make a connection through the noise. I saw one this morning that did just that. (more…)
