Interorganisational - Supply Chain Management

Chain, lean, agile, power…are few but many metaphors in SCM, that contribute to clarity and confusion.

Few months ago I took on a project that implied more change management than I’d ever expected. I contacted a colleague for an advice, who liased with an independent supply chain scholar from Northern Minnesota. Following was suggested:

In program/project design and re-design work I have stumbled upon an effective technique to “change the rules.”
When someone mumbles: “No, that can’t be done, it will never work;” tilt your head back slowly and then laugh loudly.
After a pause, look at your watch and say: “my conference call to Kiev is scheduled to start in 5 minutes;” then turn quickly and walk away.

Kiev is calling several times a week.

A further development of this is the Thelma & Louise approach to change in organisations. In stead of champions and change agens…you need a Thelma and a Louise (and a Brad Pitt?).

Árni