“A little learning is a dangerous thing.”
~ Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism (1711)
Driving Business Growth Beyond Problem-Solving: My Journey from the Assembly Line to Organisational Transformation
In 2006, I joined KIA Motors at a pivotal moment for the automotive industry. Stepping onto the factory floor each morning felt like entering a world unto itself—an environment alive with the hum of machines, each synchronised, operating like clockwork. The air was thick with shared purpose, as countless workers focused on one goal: perfecting manufacturing efficiency.
The Irony of Focused Strengths
While we pursued production perfection, an unspoken tension lingered beneath the surface. Here’s the irony:
Our laser focus on improving efficiency risked blinding us to emerging opportunities, such as:
- Electric vehicles
- Hybrid technology
Yes, we excelled at refining what we already knew, but unknown opportunities whizzed past us, unnoticed.
The Importance of Strengthening the Backbone
Think of your organisation’s strengths as the spine of an athlete: adaptable, balanced, and ready to pivot when needed.
At KIA, we were reinforcing one vertebra of our organisational spine—production efficiency—while ignoring the broader backbone. The critical question was this:
Were we building a resilient, adaptable backbone or merely overworking one part until it risked breaking?
I’ve often observed boardrooms fixated on the “more of the same” mindset. It feels safe, but overworking a single strength can transform it into a weakness.
Breaking Free from Tunnel Vision in Business
At KIA, meetings revolved around cutting seconds off production time. Seconds.
The intensity in the meeting rooms was palpable, as if each second saved had a tangible weight.
Imagine that. We were so focused on tracking individual seconds that the larger, more important metric—the future—stayed in the shadows.
The Contradiction Is Striking:
- As we became better at what we knew, we risked falling behind in areas we hadn’t yet explored.
- I witnessed countless ideas bogged down in the corporate machine, like a high-powered engine stuck in neutral.
Expanding Competencies to Build a Resilient Backbone
My experiences at KIA taught me a hard truth:
Building a company’s backbone requires more than focusing on a single skill set.
True resilience comes from balance—a versatile backbone that can weather change and seize opportunities.
Helping organisations develop this strong, adaptable backbone has become my passion. When you unlock your team’s potential to tackle broader challenges, you uncover opportunities hiding in plain sight.
The Risks of Waiting
I’m guessing you haven’t made the leap yet, and that’s understandable. Change can feel risky or even overwhelming.
But consider this:
- Every day you wait, your competitors don’t.
- They’re discovering new efficiencies, building stronger backbones, and positioning themselves for the future.
What Happens If You Don’t Act?
- Stagnation.
- Falling behind.
- Or worse—a reputation as a company that missed the mark.
Now, Imagine the Brighter Scenario:
Taking action today to fortify and diversify your organisational backbone will position you to:
- Not just survive but thrive.
- Lead rather than chase.
Invitation to Collaborate
This is where true growth begins.
I’m offering one-on-one consultancy to help you analyse your organisation’s structure and build a resilient backbone that balances both strength and adaptability.
Let’s work together to unlock your organisation’s potential and ensure it thrives in an ever-changing business landscape.
