Flexibility in Business - How agile is your company?

Flexibility is an inherent quality in many natural structures. You need look no further than the humble willow tree. Willow trees have been known to withstand gale force winds and a variety of other environmental and man-made stresses. Think about those you’ve seen clinging tenaciously to the soil at the river’s edge still growing strong long after other vegetation has eroded clean off or been swept downstream. It’s flexibility that allows the willow tree change design so it can respond and adapt to changes in the environment.

Just as flexibility is the key to survival for many species in the wild, flexibility is also an important component for survival in the business world. Now more than ever companies need to be able to adapt and evolve in response to ever shifting conditions and pressures. In the supply chain world one might be tempted to think of flexibility solely in terms of business processes or tools: how quickly and easily one can move between processes (such as changing the flavour of a product) or having the ability to produce one type of item this week then switch to a different item next week. But the concept of flexibility needs to extend past the nuts and bolts mechanics of how a company operates and permeate through all components tangible and intangible.

Of those intangible items I think specifically of the human resources factor. How flexible is the collective mindset of the organization? Do they blindly follow a course of action because it’s the way things have always been done or because it’s what others are doing? Are they open to other possibilities and the discovery of new innovations that could be adapted to work in their particular situation? It goes without saying that the more open and flexible employees are in their thinking the greater the potential to seek improvements and ways of doing things better. Of course though for this to happen there must be open-mindedness and flexibility at all levels within the organization. So how can companies achieve this?

First and foremost listen to the ideas from your stakeholders. If there’s an active give and take and open dialogue you’ve already opened yourself up to new ideas. Working together to problem solve will also facilitate employee buy-in when changes need to be made. It never hurts to apply a little skepticism as well. We’re constantly bombarded with what is supposedly the latest and greatest methodology and technology but before jumping on the bandwagon take a moment to view these things from all angles. Is this something that will really enhance the way you do things or will it actually result in limitations. If it’s the latter, drill down and see if perhaps there are components that could be adapted to your purposes.

A predisposition to flexibility can also positively influence situations where collaboration and problem solving are critical such as negotiation or mergers. In the event of unforeseen market difficulties or crises this same flexibility can help companies make quicker course corrections to address the situation without losing too much momentum.

If there’s one thing we can count on in this day and age it’s that change is constant. Companies are always searching for that combination of factors that will ensure success and growth not only in the short term but also long term. To achieve this companies must be agile by building flexibility into their infrastructure and the corporate mindset.

RSVP for Change:

• Ideation: Get to know the touch points and resources within your organization.  An easy way to accomplish this is by understanding the End to Ends. Familiarize yourself with what assets the company has available to them – whether they’re ones that are already owned or unrealized resources that could be leveraged through strategic relationships.

• Risk Mitigation: Obviously, before you embark on any sort of change, know the limits such as legal, ethical or social constraints. Ensure that the risks do not outweigh the benefits.

Management Insight: The corporate vision is just that: a vision. It provides a general direction for your strategic movement but how you get there is up to you. Don’t limit yourself by looking at just one route to reach your destination. Keep an open mind and retain flexibility as it could spark some true innovation.

Linda Craig (@LindaCraigRSVP)
More Supply Chain insights at www.Retention.ca