I was watching “Insiders” this morning on ABC1 this morning which I try to do each Sunday as it is a interesting commentary on our country’s political situation – just love the set up with the conservative commentator always sitting on the right as if the average viewer could not work it out from the various offerings!
Anyway, Barry Cassidy concluded one segment, with the old saying, “Change the government, change the country”. It is of course true and not just with countries, but also with big business and, of course every sporting team; we all know what happens when a new leader is appointed – suddenly the inept, clueless bumbling misfits discover teamwork and win a few games and the future looks rosy (yes, even at the mighty blue boys at Carlton, although we are still waiting…).
Yep, a new broom sweeps through, changing the culture and lifting the confidence to new levels and everyone is inspired. Can this be applied to a small business? Well, why not?
It can be especially effective where there are more than one or two Directors (say, Basil Brush and Lucrezia Borgia) who have traditionally been seen by their staff as equal i.e. no discernible difference between their roles. Staff love them as they just cover absolutely everything in their business.
Imagine the situation where Basil wakes up one morning (yes, there are mornings when he does not) and over his cornflakes mumbles, indeed shouts ENOUGH!’
Ok, Vera, Basil’s patient vixen and kits, Cecil and Hannibal may be confused and reach for the rice bubbles; however this matters little because our Basil has had an epiphany.
No he does not want suddenly to be a Managing Director, the head honcho who believes that that they “prefer the pestilence of despotism to the plague of anarchy”[1].
Rather he speculated – what if he chose to be concentrating on one aspect rather than having a hand in everything? Hey, this might just be great for business. So, after cycling in, putting on the lights and waiting patiently for Lucrezia to jet in, he settles a plan to agree on an assignment of roles – he would be Director – Marketing and Luca can take on the role of Managing Director. After 2 years they can swap.
Crazy Crez loves it, funnily enough she had similar thoughts while removing her diamond pearl earrings and wiping off the blood and gore after her weekly business dinner massacre the previous night.
They announce their plan and vision to the staff and guess what, after a while they realise they are no longer running a small business....
BOOM BOOM!
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