This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert March 17, 1999 Strategic Agility The secret to success in the years ahead will be something we call "strategic agility". . . being quick on your feet, nimble, responsive, always alert. The velocity of change continues to increase. Opportunities pop up like images on a fast-moving video game. Our position in the ever-shifting environment of competitiveness and innovation keeps moving like a paramecium under a microscope. The secret is to be able to respond rapidly while maintaining your stability and balance. Think of the frog on the lily pad—ever alert, carefully balanced, ready to snatch the next hapless fly that comes within range. The images of strength are changing. The big tree with the deep roots is strong, but so is the big tree with the widely-spread shallow root system. Deeply driven spikes have their place, but Velcro® also holds well . . . and breaks free easier. To position yourself—and your company—for the rippling and turbulent ride into the future, avoid being bound by past methods, rules, perspectives, or procedures that may not work today . . . and certainly won't work in the future. Let go of the old, embrace the new. Challenge "what's always worked" to be sure you're not limiting yourself. Aggressively build greater knowledge—of yourself, your collaborators, resources, response mechanisms, competitors, operating environment, emerging markets, and the world around you. No matter how much you think you know now, accept the feeling that you're behind. Things are changing that quickly. Don't try to be fully knowledgeable about everything. You can't do it anymore. There's too much information available; the overload can become confusing, overwhelming, and burdensome. Surround yourself with a network of co-workers, friends, colleagues, and other "collaborators" who share with you and each other. Remember the definition of a successful person is not he who knows all, but she who knows where to get the knowledge that is needed. The key question is "why." Keep asking why. Peel off the layers to find the core truth about what you are doing and what you want to do in the future. Learn, adapt. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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