The Ever-Changing Organization (Inspired by Business Harvard Review Jan/Feb 2011)

Let me start with a quote by Benjamin Franklin... "When you're finish changing, you are finished."

Don't forget that today is not tomorrow. Although when you say this out loud it sounds silly, even stupid, many of us forget that today's organization will not be tomorrow, and to only stay focus on today's services will drive us to destruction of our organization or jobs.

But how do you take this words and turn them into action? In this article I will present a simple tool made of 3 columns divided into theme that will help you to:

1. Manage the present
2. Selectively forget the past
3. Create the future

I would go as far as to recommend to use this technique if:
- You are a result driven person
- Want to maintain your job and/or grow in it
- Have a team of people of services you manage
- Even if you are a CEO and want to make sure your business doesn't perish

Let me introduce you to the table, which is the tool that we will be building out.

Very easily created in any presentation tool or blank sheet of paper.

STEP 1:
For now let's start with Box 1. It is imperative that you get this box correct, this is the tactical box that will keep you in business. If you are a manager, this box is meant to write out the team strategy and day to day work. CEOs, managers are accountable for this box, but not responsible. In other word this are the teams projects.

STEP 2:
I would recommend to continue by filling out Box 3. Let's be honest, go where you think it is natural, because this should be an "Ever-changing" tool I think is a matter of preference if you want to continue in Box 2 versus 3 it's fine. If that is the case go to step 3 then come back.
Ok, Box 3 is about creating the future, where you want to go, what is the next step of your organization. If you are in the market and competing for market share, this should strive towards the next great thing. (If you are the organization with the greatest things in the market today, Box 3 focus should be aimed at the next best thing. If you read the blog published Jan 31, 2011 "the S curve". This is a tool that will complement innovation and discovery at least from a strategy level.

We will come back to this box one more time, but for now take sometime and make your wish list.

STEP 3:
Box 2, now that you created your present, take your first step to understand your future, let's make that list of anchors that are tying you to Box 1.
- First think about the things you must recognized to achieve Box 3
- Second think about the paradigms from Box 1 that are tying you to it

Before shouting DONE! let's take a final look at Box 3, were there any discoveries in Box 2 that should be added to box 3? Take a look.

Nice, now you have a list which can be transferable into actions. Couple of useful tips:
1. Work Box 3 projects into today's accountability day to day work
2. Involve young or untraditional voices (do not select people that are complacent with the status quo)
3.Do not forget that in order to create you must learn and forget. Do not start implementing Box 3 actions before doing a good due diligence in Box 2.