A Different Point of View
by Jonathan McGaha | December 27, 2012 12:00 am
The King stood on the tower of his Castle, looking over his domain. It had been a curious morning as he walked through the market square. A serf had approached him unexpectedly and offered a way to improve the efficiency of the Castle’s business, which would enrich the King. He was impressed with the idea, but what really impressed the King is the suggestion had come from a stranger.
A heavily armed Knight stepped forward and whispered in the King’s ear, and he nodded his head. A couple of minutes later, Igor, the general contractor and moat builder, joined the King, followed closely behind by Slide Rule, the chief architect for all of the Castle buildings.
“It’s good to see you. Thank you for coming,” said the King.
“Thank you for inviting us. Is there any way we can help you?” asked Slide.
“I had an interesting experience today and I thought I might share it with you.
“Please, go ahead,” said Igor.
“Well, today, as I was walking through the market square, I was approached by one of my subjects. He bowed to me, and I waved to him politely as I passed. Then he stepped forward and said, ‘Your Majesty, I wish to speak to you.'”
“Really, that’s quite unusual for a commoner to speak without first being spoken to by you, your Majesty.”
“Yes, you are right. However, I observed him and he was quite an ordinary fellow and intended no harm. I approached the serf with two Knights at my side.”
“What did he have to say?” asked Slide.
“He stated his name was Nor, which I thought was an unusual name. Then he made an interesting observation about the Castle’s construction projects.”
“Really?” said Slide and Igor in unison.
“Yes, he said, ‘Your Majesty, I have an observation for you that could help you become more profitable.’
“I told the serf to proceed. He stumbled on his words, as he was clearly uncomfortable. ‘Your Majesty, you have a lot of different kinds of construction projects going on. If there was one individual that was given a cart with a couple of strong mules with the task of visiting different job sites to pick up tools and equipment, and making a list of what they need, it would save five or six project managers running back to the King’s warehouse every day.'”
“That’s a remarkable idea,” said Igor.
“Actually, I agree with Igor,” said Slide
“That’s the kind of ideas I would expect from the two of you, not a serf named Nor. But never mind that for now. Let me ask this question, what is it that all companies can learn from Nor’s statement?”
Igor and Slide looked at each other, lost for words.
“Let me help you. A writer once wrote the following:
‘Remember that advice, good advice, comes from unexpected places at unexpected times.’
From “Noble House” by James Clavell.
“What’s interesting,” said the King, “is the serf’s idea is a very good idea. Many times good ideas can come from people that you don’t expect to have a good idea. The reason for their astute observations is they see your business from a different point of view. They see it with their experience, and what they have learned in life.”
“I agree,” said Igor. “But, I don’t get your point.”
“Sometimes the best ideas comes from the guy that pushes the broom at night. Or from the parking lot attendant who innocently comments that, ‘Ya know, if you would park the forklifts over on the other side of the building we wouldn’t have so many fumes coming into the office area.'”
“That’s very interesting,” said Slide.
“It’s a really important point. When companies have planning meetings they need to include many different points of view. So invite different people from different departments for part of a meeting. There is a double benefit in that you’re communicating that you care about their opinion.”
“You know, that makes a lot of sense. I should bring in a project manager from the field to my next meeting. We sit in the office while their world is from the field perspective looking back at us.”
“Very good, Igor.”
“This can also apply to product manufacturers. The people that repair the products in the field would have tremendous insight as to potential changes or even new product ideas.”
“Yes, you’re right, Igor.”
“Your Majesty, I have an observation, if I may?”
“By all means, Slide.”
“Could it be that all people have value?”
“Very good, Slide. Very good.”
Ronald A. McKenzie is president of COMPASS Consultants Corp., a strategic planning and marketing company specializing in developing business growth. He is a published author and has made nationwide presentations on the subject of strategic planning and marketing. He resides in Las Vegas and can be reached at ramckenzie.compass@gmail.com and www.compassconsultantscorp.com.
Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/a-different-point-of-view/