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Conference 7.286::digital

Title:The Digital way of working
Moderator:QUARK::LIONELON
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5321
Total number of notes:139771

1196.0. "A Paradox" by KEYS::MOELLER (DEC-rewarding successful risk takers) Thu Sep 20 1990 21:36

    Our industry is in trouble, and so is our company.  The only way to 
    save the company and return it to its former prominence is to be 
    bold, enterprenurial risk takers.  Since our company is in trouble, 
    there's absolutely no margin for error.  So take risks, but DON'T FAIL !
    
    karl
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1196.1let's practice what we preachLEMAN::DAVEEDWhat you get is how you do itFri Sep 21 1990 17:2226
    It's a paradox alright.  Digital Press recently released a book called
    "5th Generation Management", subtitled "Integrating Enterprises through
    Human Networking", by Charles M. Savage (Digital Press, 1990, order
    number EY-C186E-DP).  This book is intended to help customers.  In
    fact, it addresses many of the organizational complaints found in this
    conference.  How come Digital management doesn't apply this to our own
    company before we start trying to peddle it to others?
    
    If we would apply these principles internally, we would then have the
    expertise and understanding necessary to 
    
    	- define a real company strategy and goals
    
    	- define the products and services necessary to achieve our goals
    
    	- make an appropriate staffing plan
    
    	- make an appropriate training plan for employees
    
    	- deliver needed products and services to customers
    
    This would probably be very similar to the EIS visionary promises that
    Digital has stated publicly to customers.  And it would be credible
    because we would have applied it ourselves.
    
    -dinesh.
1196.2which foot is shod ?SHIRE::GOLDBLATTSat Sep 22 1990 13:4912
    Digital's business and management consultants advise clients on the best
    I.T. strategy for their company.  This advice involves planning how to best
    attain the clients business strategic and tactical goals.  How about
    engaging these consultants to do the same for Digital ?  It'd only cost
    "funny money".
    
    Strangely enough (or perhaps not so strangely), the only consultants
    management listens to are those that managment pays for.  In addition,
    these consultants are immune to "career limitations" provoked by giving
    good advice where it's least desired but most deserved.
    
    David
1196.3to .2 "practice what we preach"CSOMKT::MCMAHONCarolyn McMahonMon Sep 24 1990 12:5414
    I agree:
    
    	- We must practice what we preach.  No more "do as I say, not as I
       do"
       
       - We must get our internal tools and communications up to the state
       of the art of our own products
       
       - We must stop letting the "tail wag the dog."  What does that mean? 
       In this case, most of our internal services (like F&A, IS, etc.) and
       parts of Engineering wag the dog.  They're an important part of the
       whole critter but they're just a part and not the whole animal.  In
       some ways, they're the easiest parts to comprehend - maybe that's
       why they're just about the only one's listened to these days.  
1196.4Paradox AnsweredTROPIC::BELDINPull us together, not apartTue Sep 25 1990 12:078
    Be bold, take risks, don't accept failure!
    
    You can't fail.  Without your attempt, no progress would be made toward
    the goal.  With your attempt, at the very least you will learn
    something that doesn't work.  So learn from your mistakes, and try
    again!
    
     
1196.5look at the positive sideNYEM1::MILBERGI was a DCC - 3 jobs ago!Wed Sep 26 1990 00:3812
    reminds me of the famous story-
    
    The manager who made a mistake and cost his company millions.
    
    He was called into the Board of Directors.  He said "Guess I'm here to
    be fired"!  The Chairman said-
    
    
    "Hell no, we just spent a million bucks training you"!
    
    	-Barry-