Scott Ellliott wrote:
> Heirarchical orgs. are easier
> to manage, downsize, grow and to re-direct, but are not necessary very
> efficient or effective. Self-directed work teams can be incredibly more
> productive and creative, but do not do well with changes in the team
> structure.
I can do no more than second Scott's excellent post. This has been my
experience as well. I have had whole ensembles collapse as a result of
the loss of a single member. The issue is the catch-up training necessary
for a new member, especially when we are developing specific performance
skills in a totally new innovative way. e.g. The development of a Flamenco
dancing opera singer can take three years before a viable performer is
possible.
My experience is that normal Artistic business practices tends to work
against radical innovation. On the other hand radical innovation creates
vulnerabilities that only a very strong finanancial, altruistic financial
backer will allow you to sustain the costs of retraining. This is
unfortunately beyond the financial ability of most Fine Arts organizations
which operate literally on a shoe string.
I would be interested in anyone else's experience with this type of
problem inherent in this flat structure.
The successes are amazing but the failures are the pits.
Regards,
Ray Evans Harrell, artistic director
The Magic Circle Chamber Opera of New York
http://www.freeyellow.com/members/mccony/
mcore@idt.net
--Ray Evans Harrell <mcore@IDT.NET>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>