Through tragedy, comes change

 

As the old saying goes, "through tragedy...comes change".

Egads, who wants to hear that line though?

It is far better to change when you want to, versus when you HAVE to.

That's a fairly easy statement to make.  However we often fail to follow this wise advice.  Especailly in big organizations.

Major league baseball knew it had a steriod problem, The NFL knew concussions were a growing concern.  The USA knew it had heightened concerns with terrorism and Al Qaida.  Congress, banks and investment companies knew there serious problems with the sub-prime loan market.  Eastman Kodak knew its key patents were running out.  General Motors knew it lost tremendous market share and needed to correct costs and the pension plan.

So, why wait?  Why sit on it until it explodes?

It's easy...it is human nature to procrastinate.

Our tendancy as human beings is to keep repeating what works. Only when it stops working do we, by nature, try another behavior.

Too often tragedy needs to occur before REAL change can take place.  Won't happen to us.  Things will eventually correct themselves.  Yes, but we have more critical things to handle.  Low hanging fruit...we will get to it later.  We've all said these things.

Sure, through tragedy comes change.  But not the kids of change anyone wants.

Continuous Improvement.  Six Sigma.  Sarbanes Oxley & "Best Practices".  All of these organizational measures were put into place to help minimize the chances that "tragedy" does not strike.

Through foresight, readiness and a realistic sense of urgency comes true desired change.  Sustainable change.  Listen to those around you.  Listen to your trusted business partners and associates.  Heed the warning signs.  Always be looking for a better way to do things, or improve upon something that does not appear "quite right".

Regardless of its size or relative importance...it is far better to lead the change, than be forced into it.

At Reign Print Solutions, we are driven to help our clients continually evaluate operational and marketing print/communication processes...so that change can be scalable and deliberate.