Jason Smith wrote in LO19130:
>What I find interesting is that the predictions of 'virtual organizations'
>have really not become evident, at least to me. The theory was that we
>would see more evidence of groups of people coming together to solve
>client needs, or produce products, and then go away. It's been my
>experience that clients have still wanted to see a known, established firm
>leading an initiative for them -- even if there are contracted specialists
>as part of the team. It seems there are still strong, understandable
>desires for continuity.
Jason, thank you for your reflections on impermanent organizations and
portfolio careers. As someone who has been advocating "collapsible
corporations" for a while now, it was interesting to me. I just received
the latest copy of the Harvard Business Review with an article called "The
Dawn of the E-Lance Economy" by Malone and Laubacher which reflects on
these issues.
Dynamic organizational groupings are increasing, albeit from a small base.
Companies such as Mother Advertising in London bring in people for a
particular ad account and then configure different groups for other
projects. Some of the people are "employees", some "consultants" and
"contractors"- depends on the mutual ongoing decisions the "employer" and
"employee" make.
The important thing for me is not the form of the organization or the
permanence of it- if people are happy where they are whatever it is then
that's fine. Its a issue of choice- making sure that people have the
choices to leverage their talents and realize their personal potential on
different projects. And its a question of an absense of force- people
should be able to work with people they like on projects they are
interested in for the majority of their time (Even people who do what they
want- like me at the moment- have to adminster and other things they would
probably prefer to avoid!).
There is a long way to go before individuals are independent and
organizations impermanent- but however long it takes, the most important
thing for me is the individuals- who are an end in themselves. The
organization form is merely a means to end- a stage on which people should
be able to perform- get onto, have an audience, interact or be solo, sing
or act or dance or whatever.
regards, sincerely simon buckingham unorganization: business not busyness!
http://www.unorg.com
--"Simon Buckingham" <go57@dial.pipex.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>