Comments on: Of Big Chief and Big Cheese, An Allegory on Agility

By: Jonathan Morris

Jonathan Morris — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:19:30 +0000

I find the term ‘vanishingly small risk’ is a great way of ploughing through ‘what if ?’ risks. Have a go at using, its great. You ackowledge that the person is correct ‘yep there is a risk’ but puts them firmly back in their box by pointing out it is ‘vanishingly small’. And if it does occur don’t worry as the 1000000 other vanishingly small risk will not have.

By: Miki

Miki — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:55:20 +0000

Nice story.

Risk is a funny word. A lot of people think that if there is risk then it should be avoided at all costs. Most times I have undertaken ‘risk management’ its to convince people that the risks are in fact acceptable and ok.

Not the point of your story – which is excellent – management should sometimes just stay the hell out of it!

By: Lorna Sandeman

Lorna Sandeman — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 05:32:15 +0000

So sorry my whole reply has not been displayed as I typed it.
What’s missing is as follows, to be inserted before the semi colon.
With approval came, ‘more than’, expansion, networking and opportunities.
Without it came ‘less than’ ergo scarcity.
My point is, that a person in the lower echelons, can create an angle to those who are fearful of the risk factors. We can persuade them when they have to approve stuff, that there is no risk.

By: Lorna Sandeman

Lorna Sandeman — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 04:34:24 +0000

I worked for some years in conservation as a person who assessed requests to use conservation land and resources. In assessing submissions I wanted a ‘yes’ result for the applicant so would work with them to achieve this. As a result I can safely say that 95% of the submissions I sent through for approval got the desired result. So for the communities this meant this; scarcity.

By: Greg Day

Greg Day — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:00:57 +0000

Perfect story Ben!
Convincing big business (& govt depts!) to do anything different is very very difficult. Risk mitigation is pretty much the whole story, which makes sense to some degree, but… in most cases, the ‘risk’ is not real risk, its ‘what if’ risk. Whats ‘what if’ risk?

Its like… what if I’m lying in bed and a monster comes in? Or… what if the sun doesnt come up tomorrow? Or what if I make a face and the wind changes?

Or, what if I make a decision and it goes wrong?

There seems to be little quantitative assessment of risk likelihood, just a perception of ‘what if’ risk. Its a very sad situation, and one thats likely unsustainable for companies. I hope. Govt depts…? Well, its not their money, so why change?