Vii011PWWWWW4SWPWRAM1111 Business I executive tips BlackBerry from Wireless Giant The Delicate Balance Of Control, Flexibility H ow does one truly get better results in these tough times and uncharted change in your markets, technology or industry, your challenge is magni- fied. The faster the rate of waters? change, the faster problems Organizations, like all appear and grow. living organisms, have a Your role as a leader is lifecycle and undergo very not to prevent problems or predictable and repetitive slow the pace of change. patterns of behavior as Instead, focus on your they grow and develop. At organization's ability to each new stage of develop- recognize and resolve prob- ment, an organization is lems. Your ability to work faced with a unique set of together as a team and F. Kevin Browett quickly tackle any and all challenges. Columnist How well or poorly man- situations, or decide not to, agement addresses these is your ultimate competitive challenges, and leads a healthy transi- advantage. tion from one stage to the next, has a Some of the problems you face significant impact on the success or are normal and some are abnormal. failure of the organization. Normal problems are those that are Leading an organization through expected for a given lifecycle stage. lifecycle transitions is not easy, or Abnormal problems are those that are obvious. The same methods that not expected (or desirable) in a stage produce success in one stage can cre- of the lifecyde. You will never have ate failure in the next. Fundamental enough time or resources to address changes in leadership and man- all the problems you face; focus on agement are all required, with an abnormal problems. approach that delicately balances the You can drive your organization amount of control and flexibility need- faster when you know the road ahead. ed for each stage. Leaders who fail to Most of the issues you face are corn- understand what is needed (and not mon to all organizations. If you and needed) can inhibit the development your management team share a com- of their companies or plunge them mon understanding of this knowledge into premature aging. before problems arise, it will also help The challenges that every organi- you attack the problems, instead of zation must overcome at each stage attacking each other. of development first manifest them- Prime is the fountain of youth selves as problems that arise from the for organizations. One key differ- growth and success of the company ence between the lifecycle for human and from external changes in mar- beings versus organizations is that kets, competitors, technology and the living things inevitably die while general business and political environ- organizations need not. The "age" of ment. This simple, unavoidable reality a company in terms of its lifecycle is leads to the following five important not related to its chronological age, insights about the nature of problems the number of employees or the size in organizations. of its assets. Instead, the lifecycle age I have found what most executives is defined by the interrelationship and managers do not understand: between flexibility and control. Problems are normal and desirable. An organization that is in Prime has Problems are the natural result of achieved a balance between control change. The only place on the lifecycle and flexibility. A Prime organization curve where there are no problems is knows what it is doing, where it is the place where there is no change, going and how it will get there. It also which is death. If you think that good enjoys both high growth and high managers are those whose organiza- profitability. tions have no problems, think again. Your reward for successfully resolving F. Kevin Browett is chief operating officer the problems that confront you today of Jewish Renaissance Media, parent com- is a set of new problems tomorrow pany of the Detroit Jewish News. He is a that will be larger and more complex. former vice president of Kmart Corp. and a If your company faces a high rate of past small-business founder and officer. ❑ BlackBerry® Curve' 8330 Smartphone In the month of October, with every new activation of a Sprint Red BlackBerry: Curve' 8330, you will receive a $99 . 9 9 After $100.00 mail-in rebate, with 2year service agreement on individual lines $39.99 or higher & primary line on Family SharePlan, with $29.99 BlackBerry Data Plan. 2.0MP camera • QWERTY keyboard • Micro SD card slot • Media player Web, email capable • GPS enabled • BlackBerry maps • Speakerphone Mobile broadband capable • Bluetooth 2.0 technology Sprint TV® enabled • Slim and fashionable Receive $180 value, when you activate your BlackBerry® smartphone at the BlackBerry® Store from Wireless Giant® These are the items you will receive, • Free Tips & Tricks class • BlackBerry® Desktop Manager Setup • Phone Book Transfer • BlackBerry® Device Software Update • Data Transfer • BlackBerry® Training • Email Setup * eztkeev: See store for more details. World's First Authorized BlackBerry' Store in Farmington Hills 31380 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 (Southeast corner of Orchard Lake Rd & 14 Mile Rd) 248.855-5777 **Moodily charges exclude taxes, Sprint Surcharges (incl. USF charge of up to 11.4% (varies quarterly). Administrative Charge (up to $1.99Aine/mo.), Regulatory Charge (5020/1ine/mo.) & state/local fees by area). Sprint Surcharges are not taxes or govl-required charges and are subject to change. Details: Sprint.com/taxesandfees. May require up to a S36 activation fee/line, credit approval & deposit.S200 early termination fee/line applies. Phone Offer. Offer ends 11/1/08. While supplies last. Data plan required on all active BlackBerry handsets. Voice & data may be purchased separately. Calls made without a voice plan: airtime (0.20/min.) plus long distance (S0.20/min.). Additional BlackBerry server & license fees may apply. Taxes excluded. No cash back. Requires activation at the time of purchase. Mail-in Rebate: Requires purchase by 11/1/08 & activation by 11/15/08. Line must be active 30 consecutive days. Allow 10 to 14 weeks for rebate. Upgrade: Existing customers in good standing with service on the same device for more than 22 consecutive months currently activated on a service plan of 534.99 or higher may be eligible. See in-store rebate form or sprintcomlupgrade for details. Other Terms: Coverage not available everywhere. Offers not available in all markets/retail locations or for all phones/networks. Pricing, offer terms, fees &features may vary for existing customers not eligible for upgrade. Other restrictions apply. See store or Sprint com for details. 02008 Sprint. Sprint and the logo are trademarks of Sprint. The BlackBerry & RIM families of related marks, images & symbols are the exclusive properties & trademarks or registered trademarks of Research In Motion Limited - used by permission. Other marks are the property of their respective owners. 1440690 October 9 • 2008 A43