In simple terms it is the size of space that is occupied as
you live and work. We will take a closer look at these expressions from a
corporate angle and try to understand why it mattered to have a larger territory.
Also not forgetting how managers insisted on having their teams situated very
close to center of power.
I remember the traditional days when managers were so keen
to have larger and prestigious offices as they climbed up the executive stairs.
Every single step mattered therefore it had to be marked with something that needed
to be different. Income was invisible thus did not provide the means to reflect
the true nature of success. Material aspects of achievement were prerequisites
and were essential to distinguish titles.
Such desire could only be filled with a more powerful car to
drive and a larger room to conduct business. It was like a mathematical formula
area is equivalent to knowledge. This does not certainly mean that only those without
proper credentials deserve and acquire promotions. It is just a correlation
that comes up over and over again especially within the family businesses. A
quick jump from Zero-to-Hero may have been the inclination with glamorous
surroundings, however without decent craftsmanship results turn out to be a
tragedy.
On the other hand well-structured and executed corporations
placed emphasis to vocational training and the best person with cognitive
capabilities gained access to reputable slots. Soft skills had played an
essential part during the selection process. “EQ” emotional quotient has always
been a key ingredient to be able to fulfil these awesome responsibilities.
Recently “AQ” Adaptability, “DQ” Digital Quotients are being appreciated.
Physical Proximity
of professionals to the leader was sought both by management in charge as well
as their reporting lines. Those were the days when, just to be at eye sight, started
Proximity Clash. I have always wondered
why the Turf Clash were implanted repeatedly at the top of the agendas.
Is it because technology was not readily available back
then? Communications were cumbersome compared to current hype. Managers once
walking out of the office wanted to have an imminent eye contact thus speeding
up the reception of messages. Hence a defined area and confined jurisdiction
were traditionally preferred. From the professional’s point of view, it was
also well worthed to be nearby. Seeing and checking the traffic in/out helped
to provide an inside to understanding manager’s preferences and thoughts. I must
admit endless discussion of who sits where, was a serious defocus from real
values.
In a nut shell Turf
& Proximity Clash were beneficial to all individuals’ future plans. As
a result I now have a serious doubt, whether companies were run more
efficiently or productively within these enclosed debates. Those businesses
concerned with prioritizing customer intimacy continued to flourish whereas
those indulged in Turf Clashes retained current position or
retarded back to where they have stared from.
I have witnessed for many years, practises of area conquest
struggles being fought in vain. Worst of all it was like taking your eyes away
from the road while driving your car. It was a common mistake which ended up in
destructive accidents.
Many new concepts have been put to test since the
long-established groups dwelled into newness encouraged by competitiveness. Let
me highlight a few.
Non-Territorial offices: Where any desk is available
to any person without a long term assignment. Even desks with wheels were
exercised and evaluated. Relocatable desks caused a chaos and created a tension
among employees. Each day’s layout was distinct from the previous.
Divergence, disorderness increased hence declined happiness
in the office.
Significant adverse consequences occurred throughout the organisation
with a rapid degradation of sense of belonging. Reaching to your desk early in
the morning and just finding out that someone else has already populated your
personal corner. How can you continue with a miserable reaction? Can you
imagine being sombre and starting a gloomy work day? I wonder whether any
entity is still practising this concept. Please insert a comment if you do?
Tell us more about its advantages.
Proximity free offices: Rather different from the approach
above it was where targets set for employee loyalty is codified and
incorporated to satisfaction indexes. You are allowed to be settled into your
designated spot which can be personalised with your personal attachments.
Questions have been raised to this avenue with respect to permanent assignments.
Would it be more appropriate for project based instances? Could seating arrangements
be designed, in line with specific project requirements?
Kanban: Way back in the 90’s Kanban system helped to
raise alarms between stations that relied upon each other. Processes were tuned
to aiding supply chain cycles. Perfection of smooth flow of materials,
delivered to stations in just in time manner, were endorsed. Later, during the
implementation stage advancements were designed to remedy labour deficiencies.
Training assisted employees learned skill sets of inbound/outbound departments.
Thus if matters deteriorated either at the supply or delivery site experts from
current tasks would be relocated either backward or forward.
Neighbour Approach: Impact of Kanban was tremendous
to the way offices were architected. No longer Proximity was bursting with departments own employees but rather by
those who are either suppliers of internal customers. An immense contribution
to problem solving was in the air.
Internet has dramatically changed all that for ever.
Communications and connectedness provided abundant time to react to disputes
and complications. Project management was at its pinnacle. Another
discontinuity that caught us unexpectedly was the wide cultural acquaintance of
remote/distant working. Triggered by COVID19 pandemic it was the new game in
town.
I honestly thought that Turf
& Proximity Clash were finally over. Nobody seemed to care for travel
and were content with online meeting platforms. Large constructions are no
longer compelling to demonstrate corporate might. Fabric of work environment
was flattened which equalised people and work. Since the pandemic is over my
expectation was that hybrid working is stable, durable and ever-lasting. Obviously
nothing can replace a face-to-face session.
As usual my aspiration was high. I anticipated a conflict
free work environment without borders. It wasn’t meant to be…
Unfortunately I was wrong, Turf Conflict has returned stronger than ever. Besides it was now
enhanced with technology. There emerged a much nastier, malignant mammoth
claiming to capture our entire essence. Online!
Presence in an irresistible virtual world is inevitable. You must be either in
or out. If you are in than your Turf
& Proximity is surrounded. Whether you like it or not. There is no
escape, corporate and personal behaviour has migrated. Everyone must post whatabouts
and whereabouts and push the like button endlessly. And if you are out than you
are totally disconnected not being aware of anything. What a dilemma!
I don’t know you but I am suffering from Digital Turf Clash. I have membership
in so many social media and instant messaging platforms. It has become so easy
to create new groups and we volunteer to be part of these groups. Once in it is
a real challenge to keep up with the speedy flow of information and not to miss
evolution. There is no return. Therefore can any of the approaches mentioned
above be utilised to tame Digital Turf?
Can I even define my own Digital
Proximity? Let me know your thoughts.
You dare not leave any group for any reason. Risk of losing Proximity and worst of all not to be
perceived as an unkind wise guy scares us all.
Well finally I must admit my uneasiness towards artificial
intelligence as an emerging tool that is claimed to guide us in this jungle.
Will AI listen to us and help to construct our own Proximity??
Clash of any kind is destructive and non-constructive, we
should all collaborate for peace. Our destiny lies in friendships beyond
boundaries…We are not confined…
Take care.
İcrayı San’at Eyle – İyi Bayramlar
Business excellence is only possible with arts & science
and goodness in your heart.
