Recently blogging colleague Victoria Axelrod and I had the opportunity to contribute to the Transorganizational Collaboration chapter of the Sustainable Enterprise Fieldbook lead by Jeana Wirtenberg, Fairleigh Dickinson University. (The book publishes end 2008)
My contribution begins:
"Like collaboration and stakeholder engagement from the previous section, understanding that value is created through human networks and interactions is also not new. The ancient Silk Road, in enabling the flow of not just goods, but ideas and culture too, from China through Asia to the Mediterranean Sea, revealed how."
Hence UC Irvine professor, Peter Navarro speaking on CNBC today about "CHIME-ing In" and the "New Silk Road" caught my attention.
("CHIME" abbreviates CHINA and MIDDLE EAST.)
The video is available at CNBC.com but here are some highlights to encourage your listening and thinking about adapting your organization in this always changing business environment:
"Basic realignment of the world economy"
"87,000 miles new roads being built on the new Silk Road"
"1/4th world's circumference"
My book chapter contribution includes a quote from Chris Meyer, Chief Executive Monitor Networks, InnoCentive Advisory Board Member and well known author of books including Blur, Future Wealth, or It's Alive (all co-authored with Stan Davis), of which Blur, The Speed of Change in a Connected Economy is best known.
"Successful organizations build expertise, which becomes an asset--until it's a liability. As the rate of innovation accelerates, established capabilities obsolesce more quickly, and the need for skills new to the organization becomes continual. It increases corporate agility to minimize the investment in permanent human capital and access a broad universe of people to make up the difference--it also keeps the in-house staff fresh and on their toes."
~ Chris Meyer
Helpful advice on a day when we are reminded that connectedness and speed of change cannot be ignored.
~ Jenny Ambrozek
