Vol : 2 Edtion : 1August 2009

What got you here will not get you there!!!

When I first looked at a captivating phrase like this, it caught my attention, but a deeper analysissensitized me to several interpretations of the assertion. Mentioned by Marshall Goldsmith, agreat leadership coach, it stands out as a priceless expression relevant to every walk of life. Itapplies to all of us who want to take it to the next level and get even better. What’s more importantin life is to determine what you can improve constantly – a core characteristic of high performanceoriented individuals. The momentary success that we enjoy in life might blind us to those importantsubtle nuances that can make a difference.Living amidst a knowledge society fuelled by a rapid knowledge explosion rendering us obsoleteevery two years, it is imperative that we need to be ready for change always. History bears testimonyto the fact that individuals, organizations and countries at large that have made astute choices toimprove and adapt in the past have emerged stronger. At the same time, choices that workedunder different conditions must be re-evaluated and tailored to address current challenges faced.Let’s take quick look at the economic development of Japan, world’s second largest economy.Japan started its modernization effort in the mid-nineteenth century when it was technologicallyand organizationally behind western nations. Its first priority was to first accumulate capabilitiesas in, acquisition of technology, industrial restructuring and economic development. The countrywas flexible enough to acquire unfamiliar technologies while displaying enormous absorptivecapacity. Backed by latecomer advantages and active government policies, it started importingscientific and technical knowledge and resources from the other advanced nations. Japanese werequick enough to realize the pervasiveness of change in the upgrading process and readily adaptedthemselves. Willingness to learn, entrepreneurship, research at universities, financial incentivesand demand helped resurrect a strong economy.1920 witnessed Japanese economy plunging and in 1930’s the economy experienced a prolongedrecession. Country experienced airdrop of two atomic bombs with millions dying and long stretchesof land going barren. Nonetheless, Japan resurged into global market with a strong nationalisticenthusiasm coupled with scientific curiosity and pursued technological catchup with fervor. Inless than twenty years from then it was able to gain by far the largest share of worldwide cameraand optical goods market, driving other dominant international market players to the sidelines.The progress continued….A rise of great economy beating the odds is what the world observed,but the current challenges of economic recession demand more focused strategies to tide overthe currents of downturn. An economy built through innovation, adaptation, improvisation,sustenance and stabilization seeks innovative strategies to face the existing downward spiralemphasizing the phrase we talked about in the first half of this article.While Eurozone is already experiencing recession touched off by the implosion of the globalcredit markets, America too has witnessed a job rate falling down badly, compared to what it wasin the year 1983 and 2001. Despite the massive fiscal stimulus and comprehensive policy measuresto tilt the risk downwards, US still suffers from the de-stocking effect, which triggered economicturbulence across the globe because of global linkage of stock prices and fluctuations in foreignexchange. Other countries like Germany, UK are not far behind in experiencing the downturn andare already grappling with the crisis.

In times like these, India perhaps has to build its workforce promoting creativity and innovationusing the recession as a crucible for the much needed transformational experience. India accountsfor a mere 6% of world’s economic output, compared to China’s 13%, its time for us to forgeahead with operational excellence and strengthen our economic status. As written by RudyardKipling, “keep your head when all about you are losing theirs.” Such words have never been morerelevant than today’s business world.At an organizational level, companies will have to aim at cost management, customer acquisitionand retention, looking for opportunistic acquisitions and mergers whilst embracing global operatingmodel. Organizations should also focus on tapping the emerging markets, investing in innovation,upgrading human capital and going green. At a personal level, an amazing desire to learn andstriving for intellectual expansion are traits that need to be nurtured along with other vitalinterpersonal skills. Taking constant feedback from others as we work on improvement and precisegoal setting, with out clinging to the past will help us become able, humble, confident and self aware. It’s very important to bear in mind that, today organizations require learning professionalsand not learned professionals.

Padmaja NaraharisettyPrincipal MentorSoft SkillsA Group of First Year Studentsat MSIT JNTU (H)