BRIDGING THE GAP

We have been confronted with a seismic shift in our ability to communicate that is rivaled only by the invention of the Gutenberg press in and around 1440. Not to go too deeply into this, the Gutenberg press changed the laborious process of handwriting books, which limited their availability due to the length of time it took to reproduce a single copy, to a rapid almost assembly line speed. This allowed knowledge to spread throughout civilization at a much quicker pace than previously experienced. This dissemination of knowledge was responsible for enlarging the circle of intellectuals and eventually, after decades of struggle with those heavily invested in the previous paradigm, became the platform of social upheaval and, as some believe, was instrumental in the development of the industrial revolution.

The internet, as most of us understand it, is approximately 6,500 days old and, like the Gutenberg press, has changed the speed at which knowledge travels, upset the status quo of the previous paradigm, the late industrial revolution, and has been responsible for social upheaval to an unprecedented degree. Unlike the introduction of the printing press though, the internet has become a staple of communication worldwide in less than a generation, compounding our ability to come to grips with this evolution and leaving everyone constantly in a state of catch-up. As Jessica Lipnack and Jeffrey Stamps wrote in their book Virtual Teams, “we are born into the old-age past, yet must navigate in the new-age present.”

What seems to have taken place in the last ten years is a great divide in the workplace with younger generations moving in the direction of the new-age present while segments of the older generation choose to remain in the old-age past. Unfortunately, both these directions are limiting and a bridging of this gap is required for organizations to fully realize their full potential.

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NEW MANDATE - IMPACT SOCIETY

We are pleased to announce that Osborne Business Advisors will be providing full-cycle accounting services on an ongoing basis to Impact Society. In addition, Osborne Interim Management will provide financial oversight and executive financial advisement to the Vice President as required. The Impact Society is a national not-for-profit organization, based out of Calgary, funded by the sponsors to provide youth development services. It is focused on creating communities filled with empowered youth who inspire others and create positive change.

OIM WELCOMES JUDY CONRAD TO THE TEAM

Osborne Interim Management is pleased to welcome Judy Conrad to the organization as Principal.

Based in Calgary, Judy is a senior Human Resources professional with over 20 years’ broad-based experience across multiple industries and business sectors. She has a proven ability to work with senior management teams integrating the human resource function within the overall business operating strategy. She possesses senior level experience in the areas of succession and strategic workforce planning, change leadership, employee engagement, talent and performance management, acquisitions and integrations, recruiting, business divestitures, compensation market assessments and planning, and organization coaching. As a dual citizen Judy also has the ability to fill HR roles in the US and Canada.

IS YOUR BUSINESS READY FOR CHANGE?

There is no shortage of quotations and sayings meant to inspire people and organizations to embrace change. To suck it up and get on with what needs to be done; be it taking on some risk and going for an opportunity, shoring up a weakness or dealing with looming threat. For the most part corporate cultures these days are well past having to deal with challenges to change. It is well understood by most that standing still is not an option, that… resistance is futile.

The challenge then is how to ensure your organization is prepared for the change it wants to embark upon? The following is a checklist of questions to help you determine if your business is ready for a successful change and the implications of having “no” for an answer.

1. Do You Have a Strong Case for Change?
Is your need to change clear, compelling and easily understood? We have all been through initiatives driven by the latest fad or flavour of the month or by someone hobbying in areas they ought not to be in…. i.e. BOHICA. In order to avoid your team just going through the motions, the cause needs to be believed in and supported throughout the organization. This only occurs when the case for change is solid.

No? – You will have a low priority program on your hands.

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LOUIS KELEMEN JOINS THE OIM TEAM

Osborne Interim Management is pleased to welcome Louis J. Kelemen (P.Eng) to the organization as Principal.

Based in Calgary, Louis is a senior operations executive with extensive experience in the manufacturing sector and creates operational excellence in all key functional areas. He drives business growth through improved client relationships, lean operational practices, creative financing solutions and commercial contract negotiation. He also develops exit strategies with first hand succession planning experience and has proven engineering procurement and construction expertise in the oil and gas sector.