I received a call from this boss of a leather manufacturing business. He asked what the thinking is behind this funny sounding VUCA
Design Thinking. So I said it was a way to view the world, and to engage in a
methodology and a process to ensure that innovation came home to roost. The guy
says innovation is making new things for max profit, right? So I say making new
things is okay, but how is profit defined? He says making money, what else!
So I say, profit nowadays is
measured by money certainly, but also sustainability, employee performance enhancement,
and happiness indices…all the things that create an environment where the
employees are happy and interested in making money for the business - an innovation ecosystem, better still a rain forest innovation ecosystem. Plus the
product users must also be proud and satisfied with the products and services to
the point that they want to tell their friends and the world about it.
That is
also profit.
So the boss tells me all that is
not important. He says today make black wallet and sell for $10, tomorrow make
brown wallet and sell for $20 and then make new colour depending on what the
latest colour trend is, and sell for $30. No need to change machinery and train
employees, just buy new colour pigment. That is also innovation what? What for
Design Thinking and VACU thinking? Waste time, and time is money.
I think to myself, what the hell
am I supposed to say to this ape, especially when from his perspective he IS
right. It is an innovation to some degree. And he is playing the VUCA game by
quickly adapting to latest trends, AND making money at the same time. Luckily I
have enough control of my tongue to not call him an ape to his face, though I did
say it under my breath.
I asked him why he wanted to talk
to me when he seemed to know exactly what to do anyway, and congratulated him
on his thinking and management style. He says thanks, but he wants to know what
he can do for his employees so they think he is concerned about upgrading their
skills, but must be cheap, cheap. I say why don’t you teach them how to make
many coloured ladies wallet, and tell his employees they now can make all kinds
of leather goods. The boss is thunderstruck and says Wow! You are right. No
need new machine. Just change dimension only. He gets very excited and asks me
to join him for dinner.
At dinner, the boss orders
alcohol worth $2,000 and fine foods worth $3,000. He asks me why I gave him a
free solution that will make him millions, and did not ask him for money. So I say
I am very stupid with financial matters which is why I cannot afford to drink
fine wines and eat fine foods. The boss laughs so hard that his chopsticks roll
of the table and he spills at least $200 worth of wine. I collect the dripping
wine and save at least $150 worth, and give it to the boss to drink. He looks
at me appreciatively and says it is good to not waste money, unless you can afford
to waste it. I say sorry, but I cannot afford to waste.
Now he sits back with a cigar and
asks me to tell him all about VUCA and Design Thinking. I say he does not need
the story and the pitch, he already is a VUCA Design Thinker. He looks at me
through the choking and smelly smoke and says he appreciates meeting someone
who recognises his true genius. I say he should give his employees the day off,
take them to a hotel and train them himself, in how to think like a boss. They
will listen to him and his company will become great. I say it will only cost
about $100,000 to take all his employees for a holiday and let them see his genius.
He stares at me for a full
minute, then says you come to my office and train my employees. My time is worth
a lot of money. I give you $100,000 better than I give the hotel people
$100,000. But make sure I give all his employees nice certificates and make
sure they know what a great boss they have.
Innovative games in a VUCA world
indeed!
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