Business theory is frothing to the brim with strategic models on how to do things. These models have been thought through by the illuminati of business schools the world over. From Harvard to the McDonalds Hamburger University there’s lots of best practice to take on board and execute (sounds like a film about Blackbeard.)
But how about this. How many businesses just happened. Somebody did something and voila – there’s a business. Let’s call them ugly potatoes. They’re organic after all.
And then it gets bigger because there is a demand. More offices, people, equipment … visits to the bank.
Then come the managers who become directors of strategic areas like finance, marketing, R&D. They want and need to impose some kind of order on the ugly potato.
Meanwhile the founder/s and original people (the brilliant creatures) are caught in the middle. They know they need order and strategy but sometimes it hurts. Order can kill creativity.
I’ve seen it a few times. The painful journey from ugly organic to smoothly strategic.
How is this managed?
I love ideas but I also love order. I like breaking out but I also respect process.
Like my kid … I tell him to play his PS3 but also do his study. Balance it out. Yeah right!! Well I try.
Lots of businesses travel from ugly to smooth. From garden markets to supermarket shelves. From crusty and dusty to smooth and waxen.
Be mindful of the brilliant creatures and the ugly potatoes.
Organic food tastes better.
I must be turning organic, I’ve gone from smooth and waxen to crusty and dusty. Maybe I am organic, but I definitely taste worse.
Oh Steve. Brilliant and waxy ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. Cause you’ve got style (personality …) and a great big heart. As my mum used to say > they broke the mould when they made you.