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Rick Maurer Tip #77
Nokia and the Spanish Battleship Vasa
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September 28, 2010
Greetings! Contents
- Nokia and the Vasa
- New Workshop: Why Change Fails
- A special price on my new book
- Rick on the Road
Nokia and the Vasa
Business Week reports that the once-dominant Nokia is floundering. They suggest that the company didn't seem to realize that people want to do more than merely talk on their mobile phones. How could that happen? I have no insider information, but I think the story of the Vasa can shed some light on what might have been going on.
In 1628, the Swedish warship Vasa set sail and sunk before ever getting out to sea. King Gustavus Adolphus wanted to build the finest galleon ever built. He designed it with high imposing masts. Workers knew that this would upset the ballast and would probably cause the ship to topple. But, the King was in a hurry to get this grand ship into battle. And no one dared tell the King that the ship was unstable. Many died that day.
I suspect that there were many people in Nokia who were using smart phones and saw the potential of these sophisticated devices, and who also saw the danger if they failed to respond to that opportunity/challenge. Even without a King who threatens and severely punishes people who speak their minds, people often believe it is dangerous to criticize. Add to that the difficulty of getting the ear of someone who might actually listen with interest. It is the rare organization that encourages opinions and ideas from the people actually doing the work. When leaders do seek the counsel of managers and workers, it often occurs in planning meetings. Nothing wrong with that, but by the time someone realizes that it is time too plan, it may be too late.
New Public Workshop - Why Change Fails and What You Can Do About It I do very public workshops, but on November 18 and 19, I will offer a two-day roll-up-your-sleeves workshop to help leaders and consultants address this critical issue. workshop
Chronic failure is a big deal. If changes fail too frequently in your organization, I urge you to take a look at the description and consider signing up for the workshop. November 18 and 19Gestalt Institute of ClevelandCleveland, Ohio I started using the ideas I developed for the new version of Beyond the Wall of Resistance (the sub-title of the 2010 edition is Why 70% of Changes Still Fail and What you Can Do About It with clients, but this will be the first time I have offered a workshop on the topic. Special Price for Beyond the Wall of Resistance  An alert reader told me that Amazon was selling my $17.95 book for $7.99. My publisher tells me that Amazon tests different prices from time to time. I am amazed. I can't sell the book for that price. I imagine Amazon will reprice it back to the more typical 30% off ($12.57). In fact, they could reprice it by the time you get this newsletter. But if you are thinking of buying the book, this might be a real good time. (I know this sounds like a cheap marketing tactic - act today and I'll throw in some ginzu knives - but I have nothing to do with how they price their products.)
On the Road Again (but not on Willie's bus)
October 18, New Orleans. Jen Todd, Amber Mayes, and I will make a presentation at the annual Organization Development Network conference on The Gestalt Approach to Leading Change in Organizations. If you're attending ODN, please consider joining us, or at least stop by and say hello.
In one week in November I will be offering two different public workshops. If I recall correctly, I only did one other public workshop this entire year.
On November 16 I will be working alone and presenting a full-day version of that same Gestalt Approach to Change workshop to the Ottawa Organization Development Network. I encourage you to register early, it looks like it may fill up.
And, of course, Why Change Fails and What You Can Do About It will be offered in Cleveland on November 18 and 19.
Hope to see you at one of these events.
Warm
Rick MaurerPresident Maurer & Associates |
