Backwards looks like the right way round
A director emails two managers about building something new to solve an existing problem.
The first manager says:
- Let’s have a meeting.
- We’ll have to get more resource.
- We’ll need to understand the requirements.
- I’ll write a Proof of Concept Document.
The second manager says:
- Let’s build it.
- We’ll get customers using it.
- We’ll learn loads about what customers actually want.
The first manager is solving organisational problems. The second manager is solving customer problems.
In a large, traditional organisation, the first manager looks like the one who’s doing it the right way. The second manager is a heretic who isn’t ‘thinking strategically’ and is considered to be doing it the wrong way. But it’s backwards. Delivering value to the customers and starting to learn about their problems as soon as possible should be what’s important. That’s the right way round.