Organization Architect
Some people say organizations don’t actually exist because they’re not physical things, but rather concepts or collections of concepts. However, there are a lot of physical things or artifacts that communicate what an organization is and how it works. So if we think about an organization as information, then there are many artifacts that …
[Read more...] about What is Organization Design Part 2: What is it? – Video
What is organization design? From our perspective organization design is the alignment of the stakeholders and their needs, with the strategy of the organization, the organization systems and processes, and a comprehensive scorecard. These four “cornerstones" are held together by the culture (values, symbols, rituals, and heroes) that support and …
[Read more...] about What is Organization Design Part 1: Why is it Important? – Video
We often “throw around" vague words like "successful, effective, and great” but what do these words really mean? When it comes to organizations what is “great”? Some have defined “great” as stock price over a period of years compared to other similar companies (e.g., Collins, 2001). While financial performance is an essential outcome to be great, …
All too often when organizations increase in size and complexity, systems and structures are added to help us “manage” the organization. Managers prefer predictability and hate ambiguity. However, prediction is at odds with creativity. So, how can we “manage,” or better yet, “lead” large complex creative organizations? In the first half of …
[Read more...] about Quest for the Enduring Creative Company – Interview with Nancy Duarte Part 2
This article is the first of a two-part discussion that explores the new book Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies, and Symbols by Nancy Duarte and Patti Sanchez. In this first part, we explore the application of the book to organization design and transformation. In the second part, we will explore the continual …
[Read more...] about Illuminate – Interview with Nancy Duarte Part 1
Results may not always reflect the performance that we had hoped for, but they always provide an opportunity for learning. If designed well, systems throughout the organization have learning loops built into the processes. While these learning loops take many forms, they are at their core, versions of the scientific method - Plan, Do, Study, Act. …
[Read more...] about Sustainable Excellence Requires Continuous Learning & Improvement
Leaders are in charge of the of the incentives in the organization, and they get exactly the performance from the people that they deserve. All too often the incentive systems are counter-productive and drive behaviors that are inconsistent with the overall compelling directive, strategy, and desired culture. Incentives come in a wide variety of …
[Read more...] about Align, Coach, Appreciate – Essentials for Reinforcing Desired Behavior
Now that we know what the stakeholders want; have a strategy to meets those wants, and have a clearly defined system designed to accomplish the strategy along with a scorecard to measure performance and progress, it is time to review the performance and progress. The seventh component of the Leadership System is the Organization Performance Review …
All too often we find out way too late that the strategy is not working, or the systems are not performing. When the customer opens a defective product, it is too late! While you might be able to delight the customer with your responsive fix, it is much more expensive to fix problems after delivery than it is to prevent problems. In some cases, the …
[Read more...] about Develop a Sustainable Excellence Scorecard
As the old saying goes, “this is where the rubber meets the road.” Strategy deployment and organization transformation are inextricably linked. Organization design and transformation are driven by the overall strategy, goals, objectives, and priorities. It is the organization strategy that guides the design changes to the organization, systems, and …
[Read more...] about “Where the Rubber Meets the Road” – Leading Strategy Deployment
