Identify a Fad
What is a quick-fix? It is 21 Century snake-oil. We get our fix from a
modern cure-all: total quality, reengineering, portfolio management, and
time-based competition. These fixes never deliver quite what they
promise. These are fads. However, sometimes they give structure and
focus to get people working together constructively. Here's a way of
figuring out if maybe your quick-fix is a fad expected to fail:
- Non-reliablity. The fad is built on a case study where it had
spectacular success; but cannot be replicated because:
- The best talent led the success; and those leading your project
came by the information second-hand.
- The fact is a great solution to somebody else's problem.
- Your conditions are unlike the original.
- Zero-sum gain. If everybody gets on board and does the same that
you are, then the net result is no different from the present. For
example, you use the fad to reduce costs by ten percent. Then all
your competition does likewise. The result is zero sum.
- Partial Solution. The solution lacks something from making it
complete and need to be integrated into the way business works.
- Poor Execution. This is typically because managers are trying
something new, which invariably leads to serious mistakes.
Fixing the Problem.
Here are four common-sense answers to the problem of fads:
- Focus on the problem, not the solution.
- Go for a full solution—you may need to impliment more than just
the fad; so do what it takes to reach full success.
- Proper People Management. Put the right people where they will do
the most good. This also means getting the right sponsorship and
finding the right external support.
- Know Your Destination. You need to know what the opportunity
gained is and measure and track progress. Avoid purely financial
objectives as this tends to involve cost cutting which invariably
cuts future capabilities.
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