Linear Thinking LO23203

Gavin Ritz (garritz@xtra.co.nz)
Fri, 12 Nov 1999 22:48:44 +1300

Replying to LO23185 --

Hi

I have followed this thread for a bit and noticed that you are downsizing
again this year. From a systems approach I can share with you the major
reason for this is that the company is probably not approaching its market
from a systems view point. I will explain, downsizing is the result of
shrinkage of the corporation because it does not produce to the profile of
the demanders. Your company probably has a functional or process
specialization or just has a process or function base. i.e. it is not
centered around the sharp demand profile of its customers. Companies that
flourish do so because the production base is needs based not process
based. Despite what the gurus and others say. Plus more than likely your
competitors do the very similar thing to you, this leads to tension in the
environment, so some systems shrink while others grow. If your company
drilled into the interrelationships with its customers it would never have
to downsize. The rule of thumb with downsizing if you are doing it this
year next year will be no different. A real good example of the process
based companies is "business forms" these guys are in real trouble. Give
me an example of what your company does or produces and I will share with
you the reasons from that point of view.

kindest
Gavin

BKASPER@no.ppco.com wrote:

> Although this year has been more than usually hectic - we're downsizing
> for the third time this year - I try to scan through the digest every day.
> And Winfried's reply to Steve (LO023127) is one of the best examples of a
> willingness and openness to learn that I've ever come across! I've made a
> print-out of the whole message and intend to keep it on the wall in front
> of me as a reminder to myself that I have the power to improve
> communication if I take the time to listen with empathy and am willing to
> open up and admit my way of seeing the world is not necessarily the only
> "truth".

-- 

Gavin Ritz <garritz@xtra.co.nz>

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