Moving Super Tankers

At a PBN event at Bistrot Pierre

In my career I have noticed that the larger the organisation, the harder it is to change; like trying to move a super tanker by pushing it with your finger.  Good ideas and projects disappear into the bowels of the ship never to be seen again!

The behemoth is resistant to change, and every member of the crew needs to have a say. I have been copied in on an email chain between three senior leaders in one large public sector organisation, with each telling the others why something is ‘your job, not mine’!

It is a fine balance though. Good managers must always think about how something affects the whole organisation, rather than just their own department. I am told that Kellogg’s will not implement any idea in less than a year, to ensure it is properly considered. But being fleet of foot is also necessary, especially for small businesses in times of uncertainty.

The danger of the former is that complacency becomes the cancer of time and nothing innovative emerges, while the danger of the latter is an ill-thought-out proposal that inadvertently sinks the ship or at least runs it into choppy waters. SEAL can help you navigate these challenges and ensure line of sight between team and target. As Seneca said: "If you don't know to which port you are sailing, no wind is favourable."

I have been dealing with my own super tankers lately in trying to get movement on Contract to Community. So, I was delighted to get to meet with several representatives from the Government’s newly formed Office for the Impact Economy today. 

Five people joined the call from legal, policy, procurement and social value teams and I can honestly say I was impressed not only by how quickly they grasped the concept, but also by how open they were to the idea. While they very helpfully pointed out some of the hurdles, they seemed keen to help me jump over them! 

Government and civil servants take a bashing sometimes, but the attitude of these obviously busy people was refreshing. One of them has asked to follow up with me to see how the concept may fit with things they are working on. So, watch this space, we may yet get the weight of government to help turn this particular super tanker!

Speaking of weight, I attended the Plymouth Property and Business Network event at Bistrot Pierre on Monday and was served some exceptionally good canapes. This was not good for my diet, although having now lost over three stone I didn’t feel too guilty – and don’t feel so much like a super tanker myself!

Thanks for your continued support.