Tearing down and building up

It’s funny when you hear managers talk these days.
You hear all the right buzzwords and they say we have to do things like "think outside the box to achieve true innovation," or "new ideas will bring in new revenue streams." Then when they hear new and different ideas, they quickly break into a cold sweat and retreat to the “that is not the way we do things” mentality.
It then becomes a vicious cycle, your company isn’t growing under its present structure, but how can you grow if you don’t allow new ideas and ways of doing things.
GM comes to mind pretty quickly.
They are struggling under the weight of its own infrastructure, but with billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian jumping into the fray and forcing a meeting between them and Renault-Nissan to discuss and alliance, GM may be able to get their arms around a true growth plan. Whether an alliance takes off or not, this may force them out of the “safe” box that doesn’t allow for true innovation. It appears GM, like so many other companies out there, is thinking internally and not looking outside for opportunities.
At the end of the day, what GM will have to do is tear down the old way of thinking so they can open up to new and different ideas. When that happens, GM will be back on top and remain one of the hallmark companies across the globe. Make no mistake about it, though, if GM continues down its current path, it will survive, but it will not remain a global business power.
It all comes down to taking in new ideas, and not being afraid of the “what if scenario.” Of course you have to understand and analyze the consequences of all decisions, but if that ends up paralyzing you, then don’t bother. The end result will be you will remain adrift in your industry sector and your competition will win out.
Talk to me.