Having grown up in the IT Industry, I have seen the tremendous progress that has been made on so many technology fronts. Today we have few limitations in bandwidth, processor power, storage capacity or, for that matter, in software applications. We have also seen the proliferation and acceptance of computer usage as a mainstream activity by the population, of all ages, across the globe. But yet, we appear to be struggling with continuing the progress despite the great productivity rewards and the competitive advantages which have been demonstrated. Some have even suggested that IT isn't that important. How can that be?
I think the real issue is that we have a lot of technical capability in place that is not being used to its fullest extent. Further, as a budgetary line item, in business or even in a normal household budget, the cost of this technology is beginning to create a financial pain. In some cases, this capability is considered "good enough" and the question of a business case for replacement and upgrade is a challenge to establish.
I also believe that this issue is compounded by the end user who does not want to change and by organizational leadership who often fails to recognize that continuous improvement is absolutely necessary in today's competitive global world. I am reminded of a quotation chiseled into stone over a portal at West Point, "If you don't progress, you will deteriorate". Those words were never truer than they are today.
It is clear that the winners in today's and tomorrow's marketplace, as individuals and as institutions are those that continue to invest in capabilities that move innovative product and services, rapidly and flexibly to the global market. Those companies that are in the "good enough" mode will be left in the dust. Those individuals who are satisfied with the status quo will lapse in terms of their value and relavency.
What do you think the real actions are that will move us forward? Let me know!
Thanks and Take Care
John
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3 comments:
Excellent post, and welcome to the blogosphere. I think the keys to progressing (and I love that West Point quote) lay in harnessing the power of mass collaboration. No one person (group, organization, company, etc) has the capability on its own.
John,
Your blog got me thinking -- The flat world economy rewards the people with the knowledge capital to dream, to dare and to reject "good enough."
John,
Excellent commentary. Your management style has always been to be the central hub surrounded by good people(internal to your own organization as well as external)all completely focused on a well articulated task. You're still the visionary that I met back in the early 80's when you were with GE and I was with DEC and later with Lotus Development.
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