…and of course you must learn your planning!
Entrepreneurs are active continuous learners
If we are to capitalise on future business opportunities we need as entrepreneurial leaders to be ‘entrepreneurial learners’!!! The old think, decide, act and asses (or plan, do, assess and adjust) single loop corporate learning cycles advocated in the past are no longer appropriate in modern learning organizations or for the managers/owner that work in them. The problem is that in the fast moving business climate of today too much time thinking and planning will mean short term windows of opportunity for new business will be gone (taken by others) before we have a chance implement our activities.
In addition to a change in the traditional learning model to be true entrepreneurial learners the time in which the cycle takes place needs to be much more rapid and based on trying new ways of doing things regardless of ‘right or wrong’ outcomes. The ‘6P’, PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS PISS POOR PERFORMANCE advocates and the idiot who said ‘DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME’ at this stage would be calling for my head.
Learning Facts.
All learning takes place outside our comfort zone; Entrepreneurial learning is primarily experiential; Entrepreneurial learning means taking a risk; Learning is severely hampered by our paradigms; We can too easily become victims of our own past success; The rational learning model (traditional) expects us to decide if we like a new type of food without first tasting it; Truth is merely a perspective of reality; Reality is what we need to learn.
DECISIONS NEED TO BE REALITY BASED NOT TRUTH DRIVEN!
AT YOUR PLACE, DO YOU OR YOUR MANAGERS CONFIRM THE OLD PARADIGM’S TRUTH… OR REPORT (AND LEARN FROM) THE CURRENT REALITY?
A major key to being entrepreneurial is how we learn.
Traditional Learning (SINGLE LOOP)
Scanning, Sensing, Planning (THINK) >>> then >>>
Comparison to norms (DECIDE) >>> then >>>
Initiate action (ACT) >>> then >>>
Adjust (GET FEEDBACK) >>> then >>>
The process restarts with Scanning, Sensing, Planning (THINK) and so on.
Due to the ‘need for experimentation and speed’, entrepreneurial activity means less planning and more doing. The traditional learning model is no longer appropriate or effective.
Entrepreneurial Learning (EXPERIENTIAL-DOUBLE LOOP-ADJUSTED)
Scanning, Sensing, Acting (ACT) >>> then >>>
Reflect on what happened (FEEDBACK) >>> then >>>
Compare to norms (THINK QUICKLY), plus
2nd loop Question the norms (THINK QUICKLY) >>> then >>>
Adjust (DECIDE) and the process continues with,
Scanning, Sensing, Acting (ACT) and so on.
ARE OUR KEY PLAYERS LEARNING FROM MARKET REALITIES OR ARE THEY STILL DOING FIVE YEAR PLANS BASED ON AN IRRELEVENT PAST…
If you want to be part of a vibrant future and you work for a company that doesn’t employ a continuous planning (and learning) process perhaps it time to start looking for another job… free blank resume template
4 comments
Katy says:
June 24, 2009 at 3:42 am (UTC 0)
Pretty good post. I just came across your blog and wanted to say
that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
Katy says:
June 26, 2009 at 1:16 am (UTC 0)
Loved your latest post, by the way.
rictownsend says:
June 28, 2009 at 5:14 am (UTC 0)
Thanks Katy Ric
Georgianne Rosenzweig says:
January 5, 2012 at 6:29 pm (UTC 0)
Hey there, You have done a great job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m sure they’ll benefit from this website.