Geography Lesson

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Dec 132011
 

Kazakhstan. Where? Oh yes, isn’t it one of the ‘Stans‘ that used to be part of the USSR? Backward sort of place somewhere in Asia?

Believe it or not, there was a supplement on Kazakhstan in last Saturday’s Telegraph. I was about to consign it to the recycling when a headline caught my attention. Peace and Prosperity: A 20 Year History. In the relatively short time since it gained independence from Moscow, there has been an astonishing development of the economy with a prevailing climate of tolerance in this multi-ethnic country.

I have an interest in geography, history, world politics and business but I had no idea whatsoever about this amazing success story. This got my mind leaping in several directions:

Many of our businesses are falling over themselves to get established in the accepted developing economies of China, India and one or two other countries. Are they missing a trick by being unaware of the potential in countries such as Kazakhstan?

By following the herd are businesses missing opportunities to develop and establish themselves in markets and market sectors that aren’t on their radar?

Kazakhstan is using its geographic location to be a crossroads or meeting point between East and West, North and South. It is actively avoiding ‘taking sides’ and talking with all sorts of unlikely bedfellows. Could businesses become crossroads and meeting points in a metaphorical sense?

It strikes me that there are several lessons that we can learn and potentially apply in a creative way with our businesses.

By the way, Kazakhstan is keen to develop its tourist industry if you fancy a fact-finding holiday!

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Workplace Democracy

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May 312011
 

If you have read either of Ricardo Semler’s books, Maverick or The Seven Day Weekend, you will be aware of his unusual way of running a business. Perhaps more accurately, not running it. Semler’s hands-off approach is about as far from micro-management as you could get. Empowering the workforce to take responsibility for pretty much everything has been the key to business success. This democratic approach includes allowing team members to select the team for new projects, and letting employees interview and appoint their managers.

Recently I was reading about a school, an academy to be precise, in inner-city south London. In a very deprived area where gang violence is rife, the academy is an oasis of order and calm. They have a very strict discipline code – zero tolerance to pretty much anything except hard work and good behaviour. And students interview teachers before they can be appointed! I’ll say that again, the pupils get to decide whether a prospective new teacher will get the job.

When I think back to my time in the car industry, there were a good few occasions when we shook our heads at what were clearly stupidly wrong decisions made by senior management. When I look around at the mess made by many an organisation, the banks being a splendidly awful example, I cannot help but feel that a little workplace democracy might be a good idea.

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School Interview

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Dec 022010
 

I spent this morning doing mock interviews with Year 10 students at a Birmingham school. It wasn’t in a particularly affluent part of the city but the students were well turned out, all had their ties done up properly (and no, apparently nobody had checked them before entering the room) and all were polite and pleasant. Another nail in the coffin of the media stereotypical young person.

As usual, some had a clear view of where they want to go and how to get there, some were less sure and some were completely lost and bewildered. It is this latter category that bothers me. Hopefully some will develop over the next year or so before they have to face the outside world. But some will leave school with little in the way of qualifications and no real idea as to what the future might hold for them. Oh well, if all else fails I suppose they could become politicians.

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Musical Education

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Nov 182010
 

Yesterday afternoon I was at a concert in Birmingham given by the fabulous Orchestra Of The Swan (OOTS). The first piece was Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. It was preceded by conductor, David Curtis, giving us a quick introduction illustrated by various members of the orchestra playing tiny snippets of the music.

Although I enjoy classical music and attend concerts fairly regularly, I have little understanding of it. I am sure that many in the audience have an in-depth knowledge, but I would be willing to bet that an equal number are like me and need all the help we can get to appreciate the music more fully.

If we are deeply involved with something it is easy to assume that everyone knows most of what we know. I believe that the reality is quite different. When I worked in the car industry I had a reasonable grasp on what we and our competitors were up to. But since I’ve left I have rarely read a motoring magazine or a motoring supplement in the weekend press. If you asked me to tell you anything about the models from even the mainstream producers I would struggle. I imagine that my knowledge is now on a par with the majority of the buying public.

The phrase, ‘Well known to the informed’ comes to mind!

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The Little Things

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Nov 172010
 

At the school enterprise day, referred to in yesterdays post, we had given the students badges with their names and their role in the team – Team Leader, Purchasing Manager, Creative Manager etc. At the end of the day one of the young students asked me if she could take her badge home to show her mum. Of course, the answer was yes. It reminded me of a similar incident a while back.

I ran a series of self-employment workshops for a local authority. The aim was to encourage unemployed people to consider whether self-employment might be a route forward. At one session there was a young woman – probably late teens – who, frankly, was fairly bolshie. Despite that, she took a full part in the day’s activities. She created fantastic artwork on her name card and, in fact, it became apparent that she had a wide range of talents. As everyone left I took her to one side and encouraged her not to let her attitude get in the way of her talent and potential for success.

A few minutes after she had left she dashed back into the room to collect her name card. Unfortunately, by then the cleaner had been in and it had gone. She was crestfallen. So I asked if she would like some more card and a marker pen so she could recreate it. Her face lit up and she went away happy.

Both of these incidents are a reminder that it is often the little things that make a difference. Big, shiny and expensive isn’t always the answer. 

 

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