The "M" Word: Why To Some It IS A "Four-Letter" Word (continued)

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The "M" Word: Why To Some It IS A "Four-Letter" Word (cont'd)

Let’s address #3 first: Organization is not ready. We concur that some organizations are, in fact, unable to manage successfully the change that is involved with matrix management. On a handful of occasions, we have advised as follows: “Your organization is not ready to pursue shared objectives using shared resources and here’s why: …” Indeed, if a sharp-witted executive has concluded that the company is simply not ready for matrix management, s/he may be right! It may also be the case that the expected benefits of cross-functional synergy would not be sufficient to warrant the investment in standing up a matrix organization. We don’t dispute that possibility either. We respect our clients and believe that a consultant who will fly in/fly over and then pretend to know better than folks who work within a culture day in and day out would be doing just that…pretending! On the other hand, our Matrix Readiness Self-Assessment Tool is recommended as one way of getting closer to a fact-based appraisal of readiness. You can find the tool in my book, Matrix Management Success: Method, Not Magic (Infinity Publishing, 2007). Here’s the positive news: You may be more ready than you think. Remember Voltaire’s maxim: The perfect is the enemy of the good!

And what about #1?: Lack of knowledge/confidence. What about a lack of complete confidence in one's knowledge concerning what matrix management entails? Is there a hole in your understanding? Strategic Futures© can fix that! Our one- or two-day Matrix Immersion Training leaves you equipped with the concepts, principles, and tools that you will need to design and implement an effective matrix organization.

Copyright © 2008 by Strategic Futures Consulting Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced, copied, transmitted, or disseminated in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.