The Digital Camera - changingthe traditional world of photo
processing. An example
of technology rocking the
very foundation of business
as we know it.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The onward march of Information Technology - Nothing is Untouchable!!
Myself and four colleagues from various parts of the world are currently writing a paper about what we call "The New Local"
In my latest contribution to our paper I write about the pace of change and its impact on the business world. I quote a few examples of how things are changing so dramatically that it makes me think nothing in business is sacred any more.
All companies, products and services are in danger of becoming obsolete unless they get up to speed with technology in my opinion. Because if you don’t some competitor or some technological development will make you ‘out of touch’ very quickly.
I genuinely believe nothing is 'untouchable'.
One example I write about in The New Local is the revolution that digital photography has brought to the world of traditional photo processing which relied on people and heavy industrial equipment. Nowadays you as the customer are in charge with various options to develop your own digital pictures including;
In my latest contribution to our paper I write about the pace of change and its impact on the business world. I quote a few examples of how things are changing so dramatically that it makes me think nothing in business is sacred any more.
All companies, products and services are in danger of becoming obsolete unless they get up to speed with technology in my opinion. Because if you don’t some competitor or some technological development will make you ‘out of touch’ very quickly.
I genuinely believe nothing is 'untouchable'.
One example I write about in The New Local is the revolution that digital photography has brought to the world of traditional photo processing which relied on people and heavy industrial equipment. Nowadays you as the customer are in charge with various options to develop your own digital pictures including;
- Editing your own photos before printing
- Printing your own photos
- Uploading your photos to an organisation like TruPrint who send high quality printed photos back to you – usually within 24 hours.
Interesting then that today when I received my regular e-newsletter from Blue Point Leadership http://www.bluepointleadership.com/ there is a lead article about Leadership and Innovation within Kodak.
Kodak acknowledges the need to be thinking ahead as the market is totally turned on its head in the world of photograph processing. I rather like the six points suggested in the article about how Kodak embrace innovation to try and keep ahead of the market.
I like the language used and it indicates to me very vividly how we all have to start thinking about new options rather than carry on doing what we have always done. I particularly love numbers 3 ,4 and 6.
The article extract is as follows:
To stay in the picture, leaders today should consider the following:
1. Look to create the future, not just follow the emerging trends.
2. Stretch yourself, imagine what is impossible and make it possible. Note: Strategic planning is great, but not if it only focuses on what you are certain of.
3. Remember that today's cash cow may be tomorrow's steak dinner.
4. Know who the potential new leaders are in your organization and develop them now.
5. Get everyone involved in "trend analysis." Cut out headlines, pass them out, ask people how that headline might impact the business. Be open to the "off beat" ideas.
6. Embed innovation into the culture - your next great product may already be hidden in your company
Peter Kay's Universal Truths
Sharpening a pencil with a knife makes you feel really manly.
You never know where to look when eating a banana.
It’s impossible to look cool whilst picking up a Frisbee.
You can't respect a man who carries a dog.
You've turned into your dad the day you put aside a thin piece of wood specifically to stir paint with.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
You never know where to look when eating a banana.
It’s impossible to look cool whilst picking up a Frisbee.
You can't respect a man who carries a dog.
You've turned into your dad the day you put aside a thin piece of wood specifically to stir paint with.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Simplicity - 10 Practical Tips
I am currently writing an article that will be published in March or April and the editor of the magazine asked me to include practical tips that healthcare managers can follow to implement simplicity.
This is a brilliant question to challenge me because I guess everyone can say ‘lets simplify things’ but what managers are looking for apparently are practical tips about what they can do personally to simplify the workplace.
Based on my own experience there are many things managers can do and here are 10 for starters. These tips relate to healthcare but I suggest they apply in any organisation – for ‘patients’ and ‘carers’ simply read 'customers'
Let me know what you think of this list – it is no order of priority;
1 When you have written your next report ask two people who are paid significantly less than you to tell you honestly if they understood it fully
2 Make time in your diary every week to ask a patient about their recent healthcare experience
3 At least once a month ask a carer to explain to you how they became a carer
4 At your team meeting every week or every month depending on the frequency of meetings, ask someone to do a five minute presentation called (without using PowerPoint) “My big simplicity idea for our team is …..”
5 Invite a patient or a carer to read three e mails or letters you have sent in the previous week and ask them to give you feedback about the language you used
6 Invite two 16 year old students who are friends to attend your team meeting and ask them to give the team members honest feedback at the end of the meeting about the language used
7 Find a report about absolutely anything two sides of A4 long. Send the report to a colleague and ask him/her to return it to you reduced to one side of A4. Judge for yourself whether one side is adequate to get the message over
8 Ask one of your team members to write a story on one side of A4 called “A complicated problem in this department/team explained for an audience of secondary school students (11-16 year olds). Send the story to a local schoolteacher and ask for feedback from the students at his/her school
9 Send a report you have written to;
2 Cleaners
2 Clerical staff.
Ask the four of them to rate your report on a scale of 0 to 10.
0 = I did not understand it at all
10 = I understood it completely
Think about how you can improve your score in your next report. If you score 40 points congratulations you are the new Simplicity President :-)
10 In your next written report of more than 200 words do not use any acronyms
This is a brilliant question to challenge me because I guess everyone can say ‘lets simplify things’ but what managers are looking for apparently are practical tips about what they can do personally to simplify the workplace.
Based on my own experience there are many things managers can do and here are 10 for starters. These tips relate to healthcare but I suggest they apply in any organisation – for ‘patients’ and ‘carers’ simply read 'customers'
Let me know what you think of this list – it is no order of priority;
1 When you have written your next report ask two people who are paid significantly less than you to tell you honestly if they understood it fully
2 Make time in your diary every week to ask a patient about their recent healthcare experience
3 At least once a month ask a carer to explain to you how they became a carer
4 At your team meeting every week or every month depending on the frequency of meetings, ask someone to do a five minute presentation called (without using PowerPoint) “My big simplicity idea for our team is …..”
5 Invite a patient or a carer to read three e mails or letters you have sent in the previous week and ask them to give you feedback about the language you used
6 Invite two 16 year old students who are friends to attend your team meeting and ask them to give the team members honest feedback at the end of the meeting about the language used
7 Find a report about absolutely anything two sides of A4 long. Send the report to a colleague and ask him/her to return it to you reduced to one side of A4. Judge for yourself whether one side is adequate to get the message over
8 Ask one of your team members to write a story on one side of A4 called “A complicated problem in this department/team explained for an audience of secondary school students (11-16 year olds). Send the story to a local schoolteacher and ask for feedback from the students at his/her school
9 Send a report you have written to;
2 Cleaners
2 Clerical staff.
Ask the four of them to rate your report on a scale of 0 to 10.
0 = I did not understand it at all
10 = I understood it completely
Think about how you can improve your score in your next report. If you score 40 points congratulations you are the new Simplicity President :-)
10 In your next written report of more than 200 words do not use any acronyms
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