Onlangs las ik een artikel over ondernemersschap( gepubliceerd door Alison Mars)die de belangrijkste denkpatronen van ondernemers beschrijft en hoe we dit innovatief denken kunnen aanleren .
Feitelijk is dit "ondernemend denken" volledig gesteund op de principes van systeemdenken , en graag geef ik hier mijn zienswijze over:
1.Creativiteit
Ondernemers hebben de kwalieit om de wereld anders te zien .Ze richten zich op de ganse markt en gaan na welke gaten in producten en diensten er bestaan , en zullen die gaten trachten op te vullen met de meest creatieve oplossingen .Door "what if" vragen te stellen richten ze zich meer naar de toekomst met nieuwigheden dan oude oplossingen te gebruiken .Ze kijken meer naar de interactie's en relaties van dingen , dan naar de dingen zelf.
2.Wantrouwen in data
Ondernemers zijn zich bewust , dat de waarheid niet enkel in data ligt. Zeker in nieuwe markten en met nieuwe producten bestaat er een zodanige interpretatie van data, dat voorspelbaarheid zeer moeilijk is.
Ondernemers beseffen dat het creeren van iets nieuw ,evolutionair is zonder zekerheid van de uitkomst.
Ze werken dan ook in een complexe context waar beslissingen genomen worden in de volgende orde:
Maken-testen-verfijnen !
3. Comfortabel met onzekerheid
Door het wantrouwen in voorspelbaarheid en analyses gesteund op data ( lineair denken ), is de werkcontext een van onzekerheid.Ondernemers voelen zich goed in die atmosfeer , omdat hun werkmethode er een is van experimenten, revisies en testen .
Door het bekijken van het gehele en de relatie's tussen dingen , kunnen ze door experimenteren de juiste hefbomen bepalen om een optimaal resultaat te bekomen .
Experimenteren is niet enkel een "trial and error", maar er is een openheid om met de resultaten volledig nieuwe banen te ontdekken .
4. Functionele nederigheid.
Ego's kunnen de beste ideeen vernietigen !Ondernemers begrijpen hun mentale modellen (persoonlijk meesterschap)en staan open aan de mentale modellen van anderen.Ze begrijpen dat groepswerk de oplossing brengt
Kan iedereen dan een ondernemer worden ? misschien niet ! maar met tijd en oefening kunnen we zeker een shift doen van het lineaire denken naar het systeemdenken , dat ons zeker zal helpen in complexe situatie's waar onzekerheid een zekerheid is .
Monday, January 9, 2012
Monday, December 26, 2011
Starting 2012
Dear Friends,
The year 2011 has fayed away and 2012 will start with a lot of commotion.
Don't be overwhelmed by the chaos , but look at the bride and colourful site of the world .
Greetings
Ides
The year 2011 has fayed away and 2012 will start with a lot of commotion.
Don't be overwhelmed by the chaos , but look at the bride and colourful site of the world .
Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year 2012!!
Ides
Friday, December 23, 2011
Projectmanagement and systemsthinking
Everyone has the experience , that managing projects is not so easy. A lot of projects, as well in our professional live as in our family lives are not finished in time , cost more than budget, gives frustration because deadlines are missed by unexpected events and problems .
Sounds familiar hé!
When we closely look at these projects, the managing of it can be compared with complex systems and the systems theory.
So , we will have a look:
- Complex systems are structured by the interrelationships of his parts.The way the parts are connected and related , and how they interact will define the behavior of the system . It's not the parts on their own , but the relationships between them , that will define the behavior .
Also projects has a project manager, sponsor, people , processes, customers, vendors, communication , time .... but the unique and the specific dynamics of the project will come from the way all these parts are interconnected and work together
- A system is composed of elements , subsystems but belong also to a bigger system . The behavior of the system cannot be seen in isolation but is influenced by forces of his own elements , but also from the bigger system.
A project will also be part of a bigger strategic plan , with his strategic objectives and so changes in the plan , will change the project in objectives , shedule , time lines etc.
- the system has emergent properties , which are different from the parts. the emergent property comes from the relationships.
When something happens to a project for exp don't achieve deadlines , the fault is given to the project manager. Which is wrong : we have to look after the connections , and the more the connections are complex , the more unpredictable are the outcomes of the project.
Sounds familiar hé!
When we closely look at these projects, the managing of it can be compared with complex systems and the systems theory.
So , we will have a look:
- Complex systems are structured by the interrelationships of his parts.The way the parts are connected and related , and how they interact will define the behavior of the system . It's not the parts on their own , but the relationships between them , that will define the behavior .
Also projects has a project manager, sponsor, people , processes, customers, vendors, communication , time .... but the unique and the specific dynamics of the project will come from the way all these parts are interconnected and work together
- A system is composed of elements , subsystems but belong also to a bigger system . The behavior of the system cannot be seen in isolation but is influenced by forces of his own elements , but also from the bigger system.
A project will also be part of a bigger strategic plan , with his strategic objectives and so changes in the plan , will change the project in objectives , shedule , time lines etc.
- the system has emergent properties , which are different from the parts. the emergent property comes from the relationships.
When something happens to a project for exp don't achieve deadlines , the fault is given to the project manager. Which is wrong : we have to look after the connections , and the more the connections are complex , the more unpredictable are the outcomes of the project.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
What is organizational learning
The world is more complex than century's ago , and is changing faster and faster . This is due to the new technologies and the increasingly global scope of our interactions . To survive in this world we have to continuously learn from each other and adapt, not only in our work lives , but also in our families, communities and schools!
Organizations -as a open system of people, which are together to fullfill a purpose -has to design themselves so that they can fullfill their function effectively, encourage people to reach their full potential and at the same time , help the world to be a better place .
Peter Senge has written in his book" the Fifth Discipline:The Art &Practice of the Learning Organization " five coredisciplines to be practiced , so that each organisation or business community can survive and grow in our world of tomorrow:
- Systems Thinking
- Team learning
- Shared vision
- Mental models
- Personal mastery
I will not expand on these , but there are other that support the above five , but also necessary to be succesfull in applying those five !!
1.Corporate Culture:
The intangible "something" that shape our behaviors and influences the environment inwhich we work today . this refers to policies, beliefs, values , convinctions that define a organization identity.
2.Social Responsability:
As all systems belongs to other bigger systems, the question has to be asked how the organisation fits into the larger social picture. What is the impact on environment, other community's , family's
3. Communication by dialogue:
In order to work as a team , communication has to be a two-way street stimulating questions so that we can come to dialogue.
4. Leadership:
As described in the book"Good to great" , leaders has to move to level 5: Seeing the business as a system, beyond the borders of the company. They should moving away from control managementstructures toward more fluid , selforganizing structures
5. Sustainability:
Design organizations that respect and balance human needs with the natural cycles and limitations of our planet.
6. Work/life balance:
The two systems cannot be seen anymore as two seperate one s, with their boundary's .A interrelationship between both purposes has to be defined .
Because everything is really connected( systems theorie), a organization will apply a real learning process in all of the above points, rather than tackling them in isolation.
Putting everything in alignment will really improve the learning capability!!
Organizations -as a open system of people, which are together to fullfill a purpose -has to design themselves so that they can fullfill their function effectively, encourage people to reach their full potential and at the same time , help the world to be a better place .
Peter Senge has written in his book" the Fifth Discipline:The Art &Practice of the Learning Organization " five coredisciplines to be practiced , so that each organisation or business community can survive and grow in our world of tomorrow:
- Systems Thinking
- Team learning
- Shared vision
- Mental models
- Personal mastery
I will not expand on these , but there are other that support the above five , but also necessary to be succesfull in applying those five !!
1.Corporate Culture:
The intangible "something" that shape our behaviors and influences the environment inwhich we work today . this refers to policies, beliefs, values , convinctions that define a organization identity.
2.Social Responsability:
As all systems belongs to other bigger systems, the question has to be asked how the organisation fits into the larger social picture. What is the impact on environment, other community's , family's
3. Communication by dialogue:
In order to work as a team , communication has to be a two-way street stimulating questions so that we can come to dialogue.
4. Leadership:
As described in the book"Good to great" , leaders has to move to level 5: Seeing the business as a system, beyond the borders of the company. They should moving away from control managementstructures toward more fluid , selforganizing structures
5. Sustainability:
Design organizations that respect and balance human needs with the natural cycles and limitations of our planet.
6. Work/life balance:
The two systems cannot be seen anymore as two seperate one s, with their boundary's .A interrelationship between both purposes has to be defined .
Because everything is really connected( systems theorie), a organization will apply a real learning process in all of the above points, rather than tackling them in isolation.
Putting everything in alignment will really improve the learning capability!!
Some memories from 2011 and goals for 2012
The year 2011 hast fly away and the year 2012 will start with a lot of commotion:Political, social and economical.
Let's end the year 2011 and start 2012 with following quotes:
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say” Martin Luther
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out"
“Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.”
“When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.” -Wayne Dyer
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
And why not ending with a beautiful Christmas poem:
Recipe for Christmas All Year Long Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise. Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow. Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!) Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease. If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December. By Joanna Fuchs
Let's end the year 2011 and start 2012 with following quotes:
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say” Martin Luther
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out"
“Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.”
“When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.” -Wayne Dyer
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
And why not ending with a beautiful Christmas poem:
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December.
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