Archive for May, 2012

GM crops and lessons about Change

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

I was listening to a program on the radio about GM crops.  The scientists were getting excited as they believe that they will be able to use the genes from Sicilian blood oranges, which apparently turn red due to the cold night time temperatures there, and consequently are high in anthocyanins to help prevent cancer, aging effects, diabetes amongst other things.  They are also looking to make orange juice which helps you lose weight, grains fortified with the zinc our bodies need and new sustainable sources of Omega-3.

The key phrase was that they have recognised that for GM to have a future it has to offer a clear benefit to the 100% who consume it and not just the 2% who farm it.  This is the clear lesson for anyone seeking to implement Change, you have to deliver relevant benefits to those who you want to change!  Failure to do so only leads to failure…

 

“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly”   Henri L. Bergson

We cannot become what we need to be, remaining what we are.”   Max Depree

Communications.. it’s all about the context!

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Here is a little tale:-

Wife texts husband on a cold winter’s morning:
“Windows frozen.”
Husband texts back:
“Pour some lukewarm water over them.”
Wife texts back 5 mins later:
“Computer completely f*cked now.”

Now this conversation may or may not have really happened but it makes the point very well that communication is all about context, and the meaning we take from a piece of communication depends on what is going on around us and what our concerns are.  What seems clear and obvious to one party might not be so clear to the recipient.  If what you are saying is important take a moment to consider your audience and their situation before you fire off a quick email that might cost you hours of work!