I listened again to the book
on cd FROM GOOD TO GREAT by Collins.
While I have points of disagreement
with the author, I think he does make
some interesting point. His book is
a comparisson good and great companies.
I think it might be better to say
competent and incompetent companies.
He points out that the Great Companies
have a "hedgehog concept" which revolves
around three points or "rings:"
1) what a company is best at
2) Identifying the profit unit or economic unit value or profit per X
e.g in Walgren's case Profit per customer visit
3) Passion for the field of business.
In the book COOL CAREER FOR DUMMIES the authors talk about rationality
and interest or unifying head and heart in finding a career.
But I think it is interesting that Collins in his book FROM GOOD TO GREAT talks about finding a simple goal to rally around based on the
three points. It almost sounds like a vocational calling for companies.
I know there is a vocatinal calling for individuals. I wonder if there
is such a thing as a vocational calling for institutions?
Other thoughts come to mind such as Reagan's quote that there are simple
answers which are not necessarily easy answers.
The author also makes other interesting points such as technology is
NOT the factor which makes the company become great. It is the WISE
use of the RIGHT technology. Donald Trump in his book THINK LIKE A BILIIONAIRE warns against over reliance on technology. Granted he
is not my mentor, but I thought it is interesting that he made that point. Another point is acquistion of other companies for growth's sake is counterproductive if it is unrelated
to the companies original business.
I disagree with the author blaming a belief in God with holding back
scientific progress, since modern science arose out of a Christian
background. His Vietnam commentary was, in my opinion somewhat
incorrect. The United States did have the upper hand after the
Tet offensive, but did not have the will to follow through after its
military victory. But in spite of these errors, I think he makes
some observations which I think have theological implications.
His comment about the "Stockdale paradox" almost sounds theological:
Stockdale was a P.O.W during the Vietnam war who said he had faith that
he would triumph but at the same time he acknowledged the harshness of his surroundings. According to him the people who suffered defeat in
captivity were the "optimists" who always believed that they would
be home by Christmas. When that did not happen they were defeated.
The "Stockdale paradox" states one must balance the faith that one will triumph with facing the reality of one's problems. Unfortunately
I think Stockdale was studying the wrong material at Stanford: i.e.
stoic philosophy.
Guy
# posted by GuyTak @ 4:32 PM
