RED66: How companies that learn will take your lunch money
Warren Whitlock
· 1 year ago
Thanks for this post. It covers what we've known, but in an easy to follow format that I will share with my author clients who are not sure how much effort to put into "keeping up"
Reminds me of Tom Peters telling a crowd that it wasn't enough just to accept change. You have to be running as fast as you can into the future just to keep up.
Carlos Granier-Phelps
· 1 year ago
Warren, glad you find it useful. Feel free to share and use as needed.
I also wrote a Spanish-language version of this article at:
I agree with Warren. But I'd like to add that it also depends on WHAT you learn. What if you think you're beating the rest on what you know (or learn in this case) and it so happens you're milking a dry cow. Know what I mean? (In a colloquial venezuelan way of saying- que al final te quedes sin el chivo y sin el mecate por pensar que te la estas comiendo). A good example would be learning and selling MiniDisc technology in the 90's.
Carlos Granier-Phelps
· 1 year ago
@Angelo,
WHAT you're learning is very important. You make a very crucial point about staying on the cutting-edge of soon-to-be-obsolete technology. Betamax (which was actually superior to VHS), MiniDiscs and HD-DVD are good examples.
What this underscores is the importance of encouraging a learning culture in organizations. If you listen closely enough, and have the mechanisms in place for knowledge to travel throughout your organization, you're bound to hear dissenting voices raising red flags. Never put all your eggs in one basket...
The hard part about all this, is keeping a healthy balance between staying informed and staying focused.
Anyone know of a good translation of "quedarse sin el chivo y sin el mecate"?
Angelo Gugliotta
· 1 year ago
@Carlos
You're absolutely right. The culture of learning in the organization and on a personal level will undoubtedly reduce the risk of "betting on the wrong horse". You've got to admit though, it's a gamble (then again, what isn't?)
I think the propper translation you're looking for is "don't jugle (or take on) more than you can handle"? I'm not 100% sure about that one, but don't worry, I'll find it. Even if it's a chinese proverb. Thank you.
All Comments
Reminds me of Tom Peters telling a crowd that it wasn't enough just to accept change. You have to be running as fast as you can into the future just to keep up.
I also wrote a Spanish-language version of this article at:
http://technosailor.com/2008/03/20/organizacion...
in case anyone prefers that.
WHAT you're learning is very important. You make a very crucial point about staying on the cutting-edge of soon-to-be-obsolete technology. Betamax (which was actually superior to VHS), MiniDiscs and HD-DVD are good examples.
What this underscores is the importance of encouraging a learning culture in organizations. If you listen closely enough, and have the mechanisms in place for knowledge to travel throughout your organization, you're bound to hear dissenting voices raising red flags. Never put all your eggs in one basket...
The hard part about all this, is keeping a healthy balance between staying informed and staying focused.
Anyone know of a good translation of "quedarse sin el chivo y sin el mecate"?
You're absolutely right. The culture of learning in the organization and on a personal level will undoubtedly reduce the risk of "betting on the wrong horse". You've got to admit though, it's a gamble (then again, what isn't?)
I think the propper translation you're looking for is "don't jugle (or take on) more than you can handle"? I'm not 100% sure about that one, but don't worry, I'll find it. Even if it's a chinese proverb. Thank you.