fbpx

In 2020, “healthy alignment” is essential.

If you are over 30—and maybe younger—you sat in rows in school. Perfect rows, nice, neat and consistent.

Henry Ford is famous for having perfected, if not inventing, the assembly line. Everything nice and neat, running in a very careful order.

And the classic business organizational chart is familiar to us all. We see from the CEO or owner on down, what part of the business we work in, and all other departments and divisions. Neat and orderly.

These are in great part what made American business so great. We worked in an organized way, producing great products efficiently and effectively. Many of us try to run our businesses/organizations this way. Neat, orderly, structured, well known and understood by all.

Problem is, the world really does not work that way anymore.

Digital innovation and transformation are causing us to have to communicate, collaborate, iterate, accept failures, innovate some more, and go through that cycle faster than ever before. Indeed, the speed of change is constantly accelerating, and it is anticipated that 5G data and “internet of things” technology will give our current dizzying speeds an unthinkable turbo boost.

Org charts, neat rows and human-operated assembly lines are dinosaurs, and likely soon to be extinct. Now, don’t get me wrong: Areas of responsibility and expertise will remain, so the org chart is a part of governance that will live on. But it isn’t how things will actually get done.

Systems and order are what engineering does for us. But the idea of us all being lined up and learning at our own desk is not how things get designed and built.

We will continue to have assembly lines, but they will continue to be increasingly automated and managed by computers. They work 24/7, and can make systemic changes virtually on the fly.

Yet, the more things change, the more they stay the same. We still need whole organizations to work together; just in more complex and much faster ways. The best way for that to happen is to have healthy and aligned teams.

Healthy means that people know and trust each other and can speak to business and behavioral issues openly and honestly. They have robust debates, stay focused on the issues—not the personal or personality differences—and arrive at the best outcomes for the business.

Aligned means that all your teams know the main thing for which the business exists, and they keep that constantly in mind. Alignment means that your people, processes, strategy and customer activities all serve the main goal.

Stephen Garber is director of Third Level Ltd. Contact him at 561.752.5505 or sgarber@thirdlevel.com.

You May Also Like
Get Ready to Haggle If You Want a Buyer’s Real Estate Agent

Lawsuits are claiming that the commissions paid to the buyer’s agents shouldn’t be dictated by the Multiple Listing Service.

Read More
Real Estate Agent
Hard Work Pays Off

A food empire is growing in South Florida because of Mike Linder’s focus on food and service and a twist on locations.

Read More
One of the World’s Richest Women Makes a Major Gift

West Palm Beach is poised to establish a core of top-rated medical centers.

Read More
An Unknown Side of Cancun: Enjoy a Luxurious Stay at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa and Bring Your Taste for Adventure

Treat yourself to luxury, relaxation and unforgettable experiences at this fantastic resort.

Read More
Other Posts
96-Year-Old Boca Helping Hands Volunteer Brings Happiness to Many

The nonprofit organization provides food, medical support and financial assistance to empower local individuals and families.

Read More
Art Polacheck
Upcoming JA Career Exploration Fair Seeks Vendors to Exhibit

It will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.

Read More
JA Career
Neighbors 4 Neighbors Hosts Endless Summer Splash Event

The nonprofit organization is located in Doral.

Read More
Neighbors 4 Neighbors

Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.