Teaching new ideas to an old org LO21431

John Gunkler (jgunkler@sprintmail.com)
Wed, 28 Apr 1999 12:31:59 -0500

Replying to LO21413 --

Genene Koebelin suggests:
>...the creation of a cross-functional team which communicates constantly
>with every department within the company about its purpose and its
>actions.

Yes, Genene, this can be very effective -- AFTER the decision is made that
it is time to "infect" the entire organization with the "virus" the skunk
works has created.

However, I would caution that until an organization is in a position, and
ready (financially and strategically) to undergo a fundamental change in
its orientation and actions, that creating ways for news ideas to infect
the existing organization can be very dangerous, if not fatal, to the
survival of the organization.

As I wrote in my first response to this conversation thread, when the
skunk works is working on a fundamental change while the rest of the
organization is responsible for keeping itself financially healthy doing
what it has been doing, what you most do NOT want to do is infect the old
organization with new ideas.

After the new ideas have been tested and proved, and when it makes sense
to make the strategic shift, then your suggestion can be implemented. Or,
if the new ideas are simply incremental improvement (not fundamental
change), then your method is very appropriate.

-- 

"John Gunkler" <jgunkler@sprintmail.com>

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