The title of my blog today is a comment I heard while on a conference call with Jeff Sugarman, CEO of Inscape Publishing. Jeff hosted the call, one of his quarterly Industry Insights phone meetings for Inscape affiliates. In his calls, Jeff covers trends and topics in learning and development and the current business environment. Inscape affiliates from across the country participate in the discussion.
Some of the key highlights from this meeting included the concerns that continue to plague businesses and organizations in the current economy. Many businesses are still in the wait to see what happens stage, therefore taking few if any steps toward growth or change.
A major concern of many organizations is cash flow. Customers who are willing to spend money are also slow to pay jeopardizing cash flow. This challenge is further exacerbated by the difficulty many businesses are experiencing trying to get bank financing.
Recession weariness is also contributed to the slow recovery for many businesses. Even businesses that have continued to survive are tired of hanging on, doing more with less, and worrying what tomorrow will bring. In some ways this weariness has immobilized them.
The good news is that it is not all bleak. Jeff pointed out that there are businesses that are moving forward. These organizations are taking steps that will be better position them against their competition in the new economy. From a talent management perspective organizations that are moving forward are also investing in their human capital—specifically in leadership development and innovative thinking (e.g. teaching people to think differently.)
One of the affiliates best summed up our discussion quoting one of his clients—“Sitting still in today’s business environment is like moving backward.” This client is not only surviving but developing strategies and taking steps to move forward.
Join the discussion…
I’m curious, where do you see your organization today? Is your organization in a wait and see mode or do you see signs of moving forward? If your organization is moving forward what steps or strategies have you seen implemented that are working successfully. Let’s share the innovation.