How to manage for world-class performance?

Hundred years back, the life cycle of products and industries extended to multiple decades. The key uncontrollable variables were economic cycles and war. Leaders were challenged to perform in, amongst others, the steel, railways, tractors, and textile sectors. Management philosophy was substantially derived from military practices.

Today, the uncontrollable variables are multiple: recession, volatility, climate change, terror, and governance. In addition, leaders have to proactively address the constantly changing needs of customers; as well as the threat of being benchmarked by competitors. Add IT, outsourcing, and social networking, and you have a challenge that cannot be managed by traditional business management methods. Particularly since our world is flat!

Management methods must change. This is a choice with no options.

Moving forward, the core competencies of world-class organizations must now include: an ability to understand customer needs; an ability to translate these needs into product features and manufacturing practices; and a proficiency in managing outsourced processes. These core competencies should not be outsourced; including outsourcing.

It is time for management education to include Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) in the standard curriculum. And to differentiate, organizations must not only adopt PLM practices, but also integrate Quality Lifecycle Management (QLM) practices for world-class results.

If you have an alternative solution, please advise? It’s time to pool in our best practices for excellence in India.

I am part of ASQ’s Influential Voices and this post is in response to ASQ’s Blog: A View from the Q.



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