Very interesting metaphor, an organisation moving "air" with each
"breath". Let's think about that a moment. The reason why we draw breath
is to bring into our body (system) oxygen (resources). Injecting more air
(resources) into a body (system) would not be of much use if the system
were not efficent in converting the extra resources into things that the
system can make use of. Imagine a well-trained runner inhaling vast
amounts of oxygen which the body is capable of efficiently converting into
fuel for the body. Alternatively, imagine someone who does not exercise
very often suddenly deciding to go for a run. He would also be inhaling
vast amounts of oxygen, which is used instead to restore the body to a
sense of equilibrium, so that the person stops panting. Thus the analogy
of an organisation moving "air" with each "breath" reminds me of the need
for an organisation to be like a well-trained athelete, fit and limber, so
that with each intake of breath, the organisation is thrust towards new
levels of performance, rather than consuming large amounts of resources to
simply to keep up with everybody else. Just my 2-cents worth.
Lau Wah Yuen
--mail to:alamak@cyberway.com.sg
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