tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218216369142003434.post8290730007770135405..comments2024-02-19T23:13:25.380-08:00Comments on Strategy With Purpose: Balancing Opposites Using a “Redefined Value Equation”Charles Prabakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15714461775981814360noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218216369142003434.post-25311185725139022162010-10-05T09:07:20.669-07:002010-10-05T09:07:20.669-07:00As always, great value-add insights, especially yo...As always, great value-add insights, especially your point around "causal chain based summer-winter-spring-autumn seasons" is very good. Just a point of clarification around seasons -<br /><br />Seasons, (although primarily are defined with a time dimension), also have other dimensions (like place, money, opportunity etc.), and so, our concept of seasons should take in to account rest of the dimensions in a holistic manner.<br /><br />For example, under the time dimension of seasons – relatively speaking it might be difficult to balance opposites simultaneously when they are executed within the same time span whereas under place (or opportunity) dimensions- balancing can be done simultaneously within the same time span provided they are done in different business segments/places or different opportunity spaces. Hope this will help us to understand when balancing works simultaneously vs. when it does not. <br /><br />“Balancing works well “simultaneously” when the seasonal dimension is anything other than time”!<br />This dimensionality of seasons itself is a separate topic and time permitting we can cover it in a separate post.<br /><br />Over all very constructive insightful comment Ali.<br /><br />Regards<br />CharlesCharles Prabakarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15714461775981814360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218216369142003434.post-30183208874054925842010-10-05T07:10:46.385-07:002010-10-05T07:10:46.385-07:00Hello Charles,
I am glad that my comments brought...Hello Charles,<br /><br />I am glad that my comments brought up this juicy post. It is deep and creative. You see, my original question on "balancing the Opposites" would not have generated this post if you were a conventional thinker, and certainly you are not. As you correctly stated, the "For example, on the surface, cost containment (bottom line focused) and innovation (top line focused) strategies might sound like seemingly opposites -very much like the opposing pairs of Solomon. But, if we think about them within the larger context or objective (say, to turnaround and grow the company) — cost containment (for a season) is indeed a stepping stone for innovation (for a new season) – which kind of implies that “balancing opposites” within the context of the larger objective is the way to go”. Likewise; I would say by working backwards that this creative post was initiated from a humble and innocent question.<br />I am just thinking of the four seasons. They do not exist together and also hold the concept of opposites. Summer is the opposite of winter and by definition autumn is the opposite of spring. Every season is needed and it provides the right environment for the next season. I would say that a year bifurcates into four opposing seasons that do not coexist simultaneously and yet they lead to each other.<br />Companies have their seasons as well. A season is for dropping old leaves (old products and beliefs). Having got rid of the excessive luggage they are ready for the next season. Next come winter (water) to irrigate seeds (new ideas). This is followed by spring where plants (companies) blossom with new varieties. It is the harmonious movement of seasons that lead to renewal. The iteration continues and the cycle of four seasons repeat (successful companies reiterate to learn and develop).<br /><br />Charles, I congratulate you for writing such a deep post.ali ananihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17948497521950629086noreply@blogger.com