Owner Says, “Most of our customers are referral based.  We don’t think about our public image, because we don’t have much of one.  We acquire most of our customers through word of mouth.  We don’t want to lose our grass roots approach, but we are at a stalemate and need to move beyond our home grown strategy so that we can introduce ourselves professionally in the public sector.  Our employees are great at “making do” with what they have.  Their general attitude is “Why fix it when it ain’t broke?”  I hear about other companies integrating the latest technology and I know that our company culture is one of fear.  We are comfortable with older word processing.  We resist social media.  And some of our star employees pride themselves in their anti-technology stance. 

Employee Says, “I heard management mention that we might be implementing new software soon.  I don’t understand why we need to change.  It seems like everything runs fine as it is now.  This company is just the right size, not too big and not too small—manageable.  Our customers are loyal and we are known for our hands-on approach.    I’m afraid that if we try to fix something that is already working, we may do more harm than good.  Also, I enjoy knowing my applications so well.  I’ve been using this data entry software for just over ten years now, and we’ve more or less been able to get the job done.  What happens when we enter the major market?  Where does that leave me?  Will I still have a job?  I wish everything could just stay the same until I have enough years to retire.”

Both Owner and Employee have viable points that could be addressed by AKC’s Industry Focused Evaluation in relation to the company’s strategic positioning.  This company is at a crossroads.  Technology will either keep them where they are, as a successful grassroots enterprise that will stall at the national level.  Or technology will be the piece that bridges the gap between a homegrown identity and growth toward global recognition.  It isn’t any one application or technology that will help this company to improve its daily operations and processes.   There is a need for a fundamental shift in thinking from the very bottom to the very top.  Employees need to be strategically reassured that stagnation doesn’t ensure job stability just as change does not absolutely indicate job turnover.  Management needs to learn how to communicate change as a challenge, not a threat.  Each employee needs to feel like they have vested interest in the company’s continued growth and outward permeation of the global market.   AKC Consulting will give your company a coherent plan for emerging globally as technologically progressive and relevant in today’s rapidly changing marketplace.