Thinking about the two cases presented this week it becomes quite apparent that for the most part a business needs a healthy balance between IT control and freedom. However, this is easier said than done, just ask Ms. Field's or Otisline. I am sure it was obvious to the majority of people in the companies that either control needed to be relinquished or gained. I think the balance is needed for most companies with a very small percentage of exceptions.
With Ms. Field's company, IT basically ran everything except for actually baking the cookies and ran on the motto "it is demeaning for people to do what machines can do". Well we see how well this strategy worked. In strict contrast though, Otisline may as well have not had any IT control. Ultimately, too much freedom and control almost ruined both of these companies.
The question was asked as a executive is it possible to create the right amount of control and freedom. I think it absolutely is possible and I think it differs for each individual company based on their needs. Look at all the flourishing firms out there that have found the correct balance and are making the money! The two cases presented to us this week can teach us that balance is a necessity and should not be ignored. And when attempting to find the perfect balance for your company, you must not forget how these changes effect other parts of your firm, such as organization structure, which in turn must be changed as well.
Finding the right balance is easier said than done for sure, but the first step is being open to change. In my own experiences, change has typically resulted positive results. While I have not managed a fortune 500 company, I have managed several organizations and events. It is imperative to the success of any organization that you are open to change to make events better and keep things fresh and exciting. For example, last year I was on a very disjointed SBA with way too much freedom. This year, I suggested that we go on a retreat to get to know one another. Then, we delegated tasks to the members and appointed people to follow up to make sure the tasks are completed. This way the task can be completed with a lot of freedom. It simply must be done which allows for enough control to be successful.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a small example, but understanding how to achieve the balance is the hardest part. So, it is probably better to start small.