In the previous blog we likened top down
corporate initiatives as either Virus or Vaccine. (see Corporate Initiative: Vaccine or Virus)
Incoming is how a Site leadership or Senior
Management should treat these initiatives.
For each of them as they start to appear on
the horizon, what do we do to respond? Does it meet a missing element in our
own capability that we should harness as quickly and whole-heartedly as possible?
Is it a training programme that cuts across one of our own, will it lead to
confusion in our teams? In that case can we tailor it to ensure that it
dovetails into our existing processes, can it be packaged as an enhancement,
rather than “here comes another initiative…. what happened to the last one?”
comments.
Alternatively is it a new, unproven piece
of work? Do you want to be the first implementation? If the resourcing is high
on the first roll out you might be a winner. However do you want your people
and processes to be the pilot, the sandbox?
Is the timing completely wrong for your
site, can you push the roll out back with plausible reasons? Is the incoming a
reason to address some SG&A support?
So as they appear, you and your team have a
number of responses to consider. I mentioned above “appear on the horizon”. You
and your team need to be tuned into what is likely to be rolling out from
corporate HQ. Look out for new functional appointments, corporate
announcements. The earlier you can spot them, the greater your reaction time. A responsibility you have is providing air cover for your people, managing the incoming initiatives.
