Matching growth with infrastructure

Working in a high change and fast moving business environment creates lots of challenges. Long term becomes one and two years out. Short term is today, or less. How can a company successfully navigate and, with apologies to C.S. Lewis, "keep the ships from bumping into each other" or worse yet "keep the ships headed toward the right shore?" Our company is changing very quickly and we must change at the same pace or we could be seriously impacted. The question is, where do we draw the line between not enough planning for growth vs. too much?

The simple answer seems to be to keep one eye on the bow, one eye somewhere between the bow and the horizon, and two ears open all the time.

If a company is constantly looking at the now - that is, not being proactive, not investing in strategy, not looking at current and future customers and environments - it is likely to strike a rock because they didn't see it coming, or reach an undesired shore because they were more worried about the waves than navigation. How is this worked out practically? One way is to have a clear focus on execution and results (measurement) instead of assuming that all the ships are in order and heading along the same course. Another way is to reward forward looking activity, and yet another is to be engaged in redefining the future by being a leader in the community in which it operates.

Another problem is when companies make mistakes but then don't change to adapt or assume that it won't happen again. In the case of JetBlue, when confronted by severe weather and trip cancellations, they experienced difficulty and didn't commit to learn from it. They didn't start moving soon like their competitors were, presumably because of some naivety or egoism that prevented them from seeing the rock through the waves or because they thought the ship was in order when, in fact, it wasn't. I see this worked out in clear accountability of management, strong leaders that can discern the context of a situation and act quickly, and an organization that's "steerable." If the ship's rudder is in disrepair, how can it be suddenly turned? This involves not only IT infrastructure, but business process maturity, and all aspects of the business.

This brings us to the idea of keeping the ship in order. That would be worked out with such practical steps as clear goal based accountability, a commitment to learning and quality, and a business environment where individuals and teams can try, fail, and not be condemned or shut down. They would instead be coached, trained, and given clear direction. This ship maintenance involves individuals as well as processes, departments, and partnerships with other ships to do what this ship may be ill suited to do.

Back to the question at hand, how do we know where to draw the line? The answer? 42, of course. (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Fans unite!). For us, when we see things around us turning downward, that means it's time for new releases, more investment in people and the customer, and in general, a "leaning in" instead of a "leaning back." The typical response to economic downturn or upswing in customer growth is to get comfortable or knuckedown; either out of fear or complacency. Instead we must "lean in" and take an active role in moving forward, an active role in leaving the past behind and embracing the change. We must look ahead and not too long at where we are or where we were. There are clearly elements of all perspectives that are necessary, but if we lean toward the future with a good grasp on today, we will be better prepared to weather the storms that come and turn them into powerful winds that drive us even more quickly and with more power toward our promised land.

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs chapter two talks about the Moral benefits of Wisdom.

We must learn what is wise (v1)

Diligently focus on and seek out understanding. (v2-4)
-- You will find wisdom and knowledge when you seek it (v5)
-- Seek the source of knowledge (v5-7)
-- The Faithful will protected as they seek (v8)

Benefits of Wisdom
-- Wisdom gives understanding of what is right, just, and fair (v9)
-- Wisdom gives you discretion that will protect you (v11)

-- Wisdom saves you from wicked ways
-- -- Wisdom saves you from poor influences(v12)
-- -- Wisdom saves you from wrong thinking (v12)
-- -- Wisdom saves you from wrong paths (v13)
-- -- Wisdom saves you from wrong motivations (v15)

-- Wisdom saves you from immorality
-- -- Wisdom saves you from distractions and trouble
-- -- Wisdom saves you from consequences of mixing with the wrong people

Wisdom helps you walk in the ways of good men and keep to right paths

Rooted and Fruited

How do we stay rooted in who are and yet remain tolerant of others?

There are clearly two parts to this discussion, one about roots and the other about fruit. The roots are those values and virtues that we derive strength and capability from. The fruit is the inviting yield of our capability to utilize resources, especially for the benefit of others.

To remain rooted in who we are is to hold on to those values and ideals which give us our strength. Holding on refers to a daily "feeding" on those things which define us and give us meaning. For me, as Christian, that means daily eating the Spiritual food of a relationship with Jesus; reading the Word, seeking the Lord in prayer, and meditating on those things which are good. It's about having our mind and focus on those values and their source.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

The other aspect of remaining grounded is the act of doing. Anyone can claim to adhere to a set of principles, however their true morality is revealed in those things which a person actually does. When we combine keeping our "head" in the right place with, moving our "body" in the appropriate direction we find a deeper understanding of those roots, in how they are played out in a real life, and we brush up against others, which brings us to the next part of the analogy - the fruit.

The fruit is that which comes from our connectedness to who we are, or more specifically, our connectedness to the source which we derive our values from. The fruit is the result of our mind being focused and our actions being in alignment. The fruit happens as a natural result of being connected. An apple doesn't have to try hard to be a nice apple. It simply results from a well fed tree. Clearly fruit is intended not for that tree iteslf, but for others. The fruit provides an attraction which others can enjoy.

That connection with others, in part at least, must relate to our tolerance of others. The tree is, in a sense, agnostic to those who partake of the fruit. It doesn't care who scatters the seed, it simply keeps connected to it's nutrient supply. Our tolerance of other is simply, at the very least, a willingness to spread out our own ideals through all those who might enjoy our fruit.

More concretely, our tolerance of other ideas, other ways of life, other world views, other people must also relate directly to a willingness to have concern or love for others. If we care about other people, we are more willing to hear their point of view. If we care about others we are interacting with them to both give and receive. When we hear others, we are partaking of their fruit, allowing it to become part of our own experience. There is certainly the necessity to "chew the fruit and spit out the seeds" sometimes, as we evaluate that which we see and hear by our own value system. However our willingness to enjoy the diversity and flavor brought by others will only enrich and at worst, entrench us in our own position. To be truly tolerant, is to create power. Power gives us the ability to grow more of our own fruit, and benefit others in the process.

You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor [can] a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:16-20)

Matthew tells us that we are known by our fruit. If we do not tolerate other ideas and learn to grow by them, whether in support or by reason of friction strengthen, then we miss the ability to be an influence and to be known for who we truly are.