Why 'People' Strategies will take precedence over 'Business' Strategies in the Digital Age?

#'CultureIsEverythingForDigital'Series

Peter Drucker has been saying this since ages back. "Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast". Yet, few organisations have given it no more thought than setting a people administration vertical (with some people responsibilities),with on the side ala-carte of wellness intiatives, social initiatives and cultural activities.

It has worked before. What has changed significantly?

a. Conformance and compliance of people was key. Now individualism and innovation is.

b. Consumer was expected to follow you ( or your customer) in setting the trend. Now you are expected to follow the consumer, enable them, add to them - they set the trend. Your employee is also your consumer.

c. Loyalty and patience for the organisation was expected from the people .Now Loyalty is to their growth and a good life experience.

Does it have to be now?

A CEO shared "There is so much to do right now, just to survive and get a solid business footing again, Nidhi. Where is the scope for more? If it is not broken, why fix it. Can we not as an organisation pick it up later ?"

"Depends. Are you trying to set up the new business model to survive or thrive ?. Survive means you keep yourself alive till the customer knows what they want, then follow the usual route. Thrive means you take the lead in setting the pattern they need to follow , change the paradigms for you forever.You choose.

Either ways, Phil, you will need to change. Only the degree may be different."

People is everything for Digital and the Industry 4.0 era

A few simple truths, shall we? What do we need as businesses to sail through, in the coming years -

a. Understanding the End Consumer.

Be as close to the end-customer's line of thinking. Shake off the earlier approach of understanding the client or markets. Consumer is the first king . Technology advances is second in command. Our business model is third. ( Notice the shift ?). If you can first 'understand' and then 'drive' the end consumer's trust and mindshare to your business, you win.

Can you do that without helping your people have : Empathy. Influence. Innovative Thinking.

b. Try Hard. Fail Safe.

A business research mindset for continuously trying ,in a safe haven what will click next. Agile trend following and agile delivery/execution. Simply, try all options for possibility, before someone else puts their flag (IPR). Don't stop. Watch the industry and your competitors, while never taking eyes off the end consumer.

Can you do that without helping your people have : Agile Mindset, Resilient Leaders, Experimentation Culture.

c. Continuous Learning

Massive learning efforts in re-learning new business models and newer technology. Any business that has not factored continuous learning , as their foundational layer, will find it hard to stay relevant. Even after the dust settles, the expectation that we will be atop our game will stay. Primarily, a. since customers may be far less loyal now than before. b. Collapsing pyramid models for innovation ( if not for work) will need all , and not just the key executives, to be on the drawing table, at all times.

Can you do that without helping your people be : Passionate, Energetic,Confidant as Individuals. Quick Learners Culture

d. Best of breed, diverse, global Talent Pool .

A post today shared "Artificial intelligence is no match for individual stupidity." Really, what use is a great house with triple light sensors if its residents are demotivated, pushed, stressed at work, eventually couldn't care less beyond their own survival. To get the best out of your digital investments, people will need to be more thought through than before. Earlier, no one looked at you, beyond the car you drove. Now they are at your door.

How will you sell empathy, innovation , consumer thinking if you haven't mastered it in your own house?

Can you do that without helping your people be : Compassionate, Caring and Conscious Organisation

Ending...

Phil got the idea. He is all over his leadership - brainstorming, dip stick checks, identifying his mavericks, meeting people on the ground regularly. What about you?

All my best. Feel free to reach out for more.

Nidhi

If you enjoyed this, here is food for more thought below to help you some more.

Industry 4.0 & People Strategies : Why what got you here, may not get you there

How do I create a culture aligned with the newer business models in Industry 4.0??