Organizational PilatesPilates is a system of mind-body exercise that has evolved from the principles of Joseph Pilates. "Pilates dramatically transforms the way your body looks, feels, and performs. It builds strength without excess bulk, creating a sleek, toned body," according to Balanced Body Pilates. Isn't this just what our organizations need right now? To be strong without excess bulk--creating sleek, toned organizations. Organizational Pilates!
Pilates is successful because it strengthens the core abdominal muscles while working other muscle groups. It has become evident to Pam and me that organizations can strengthen their core by working in collaboration with others.
Collaboration is valuable on many levels, I'll address two benefits here:
- Shared resources. Eliminating duplication of services is probably the best known and most often used reason for collaboration. However, shared resources can also mean the development of concierge(thanks, Joani L. for the idea) services and products. Example: You might go to Home Depot to buy a sink stopper if you know exactly what you want. If you need some help in getting the right size and need someone to talk to, you will probably go to your local Ace Hardware store for the concierge service.
- Shared ideas. For most organizations the sharing of ideas has become incestuous: we ask each other. Collaboration offers a larger and more heterogeneous mix to brainstorm and share ideas.Talk to people. Go to conventions, conferences, regional meetings inside and outside of your industry. Follow blogs and Tweets. Look outside your own organization to the websites of your competitors, your customers, and other industries. No sense in reinventing the wheel.
Those who work in an organizational vacuum are often the same companies that have departmental silos. This "take care of our own" mentality oozes throughout the culture creating a flabby, out of shape organization. Businesses who seek to collaborate with others while working to create inner strength will not only survive these tough economic times but thrive on the other side.
"Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much."
-Helen Keller
It's ironic that Helen Keller was able to see so clearly what so many business leaders appear blind to--the power of collaboration. Start exercising your collective muscle and tone up your organization by seeking partners within and outside of usual suspects.
--to be continued--
Mosquitoes and Workplace PestsEveryday experiences are among the most powerful for me. Having just returned from the beautiful Wisconsin Northwood's, I just couldn't help comparing workplace pests with mosquitoes. For those of you who have shared so many stories of the people you work with...enjoy! How are workplace pesky people like mosquitoes? - You can't escape them
- Their buzz is annoying
- You know they're lurking even if you can't see or hear them
- You keep swatting at them without really hitting them
- It stings a bit when they 'bite' you; but it's the itch that lasts for days
- When you finally do manage to slap one--it's your blood that splatters!
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