CEO’s Office- Business leadership Insight
The New Shape Of Work
According to research by the ‘global leadership center’ , there are six fundamental forces that are
relevant to the new shape of work today. To best understand the unique demands iof today’s business
leader’ this article will explore these forces(n) briefly, as we contextralise today’s unique work-place
.
1.Speed of change.
The world is changing rapidly drastically. An example is consistent shift pertivence from manual
work to knowledge work. It is imperative that today’s leader is ‘change fit’. Business leaders should
be able to adopt to changing circumstances, initiate change where appropriate, and also enable change
among sub-ordinates
2. Increased competition.
Direct and indirect competition has not been higher in history amongst the business world. There is
competition for markets, talents and resources. It is as a result vital for business leaders to remain
relevant through consistent skills replenishment.
3. Connectivity.
The world is so connected in that it is possible to communicate with anybody around the world at
anytime. The rise of social media, telephone, email and avenues like video conferencing means
information sharing is hyper efficient. This prevents unique opportunities and challenges for today’s
business leadership.
4. People and customers viewed as assets.
Traditionally products , technology money in the bank and other tangible items, is where real asset
value was placed. Today, as opposed to people being as cost, there is deliberate efforts to recruit,
retain and invest in top talent . Investment to build a loyal customer base is now common place.
Business leadership must remain nimble enough to conform to this reality, and not treat people as
though they are an inconvenience.
5. Diversity
People from different cultures, talents and background are valued. This provides a catalyst for
innovation, problem solving and fresh ideas in how things are to be done. It is important to note
though that diversity can present its challenges for business leaders.
6. Individual responsibility: Brond ‘YOU’ thinking.
Loyalty hardly exists in business. Commitment is only guaranteed if there is mutual benefit between
employer and employee. It is therefore more important than ever to improve one’s ideas, attitudes
and skills to remain relevant .
Tom Peters in his book “Re-imagine” talks about the idea of “brand you”. Tom asserts that people at
work should think of themselves as being CEO of “Me Inc Age and experience are no longer enough
in attaching value. Ideas, skills and self improvement cannot be more important.
Next week we shall delve into the “Elements of leadership”
MUKWAYA NELSON
CEO Lord of the Rim
C.E.O’s office- business leadership Insights
VISION AND STRATEGY . PART 1
Previously we threw some light on the new shape of work in our constantly evolving business
environment. We highlighted the contemporary demands of today’s business leaders.
Naturally, answering the “WHY” is undisputably one of the most important steps for successful
business vision. To witness the vision sport to finition requires a moulding of business goals that are
strategic. All this is the responsibility of business leadership.
The business vision defines the “WHAT” of the enterprises as well. An example of a vision
could read as “To be the leading supplier of fresh poultry products in fledgling markets, through
provision of regal services. We aim to achieve long term business growth attaining a balance between
short term profit objectives, and appropriate re-investment for consistent business growth.
Strategic goals are what enables businesses achieve the vision. Goals are specific and defire the
business activities undertaken to reach the vision of the business. Strategic goals are designed by the
bosses and clearly communicated down the business hierarchy.
A broad set of focus of focus areas for action id provided by strategic goals, which allows
businesses to form a competitive stategy. A competitive strategy helps us answer how different our
business is from competition, customer retention and new customer acquisition mysteries are
unravelled by a solved competitive strategy.
Well articulated strategic goasls should