MIXING UP THE OLD AND THE NEW - Radhakrishnan Pillai

[Guest guest]

MIXING UP THE OLD AND THE NEW - Radhakrishnan Pillai

 

 

India, particularly the Indian corporate world, is going through a very dynamic

change. Organisations and companies that have been in existence for decades are

suddenly seeing a new way of doing business.

 

Technology, connectivity, globalization: All have had a strong impact on the way

business is being done. But most important change that is a young work force

joining the team at decision-making teams to scale up the businesses. The old

with their experience and the young with their dynamism and new ideas can create

a wonderful organisation.

 

Chanakya says,

 

" As between a newly arrived (army) and one that has come after a long march, the

newly arrived would fight after learning about the region from others and being

mixed with old troops " (8.5.4)

 

 

The older people in any organisation are basically soldiers experienced in

fighting many battles. They know the region (market and customers) well and,

therefore Chanakya suggests that the newly arrived army (the young generation

managers) can do better if they learn from the experience of the previous ones.

 

Steps to do this –

 

1. BE OPEN MINDED TO CHANGE

 

Just because it worked your way does not mean there's no other way. Elders

should be open to change. Look at how weapons have changed in wars today. The

soldiers are different. Therefore, a different game plan also has to be adopted

accordingly. In fact, the best thing to do is learn from the young generation

who are well-versed with the modern weapons– computers, internet, mobiles -

technology that the young generation is good at.

 

2. BE READY TO LEARN

 

For the young generation, its imperative they learn from the mistakes and

experience of the elders. What we are today is because of the hard work of the

previous generations. We may have great ideas, but experience is very valuable.

Just being with the elders and listening to the stories and their problems will

change our approach to handling things.

 

3. MIX N MATCH

 

A good mix and match of the two generations sets up a good organization. Some of

the best performing organisations have already done it. The top IT and

consulting firms who provide solutions and ideas are better equipped to handle

various multiple projects because of the mix of the elderly, experienced along

with the techno-savvy young generation.

 

Once Jack Welch, of General Electric (GE), noticed that school children were

quite well acquainted with computers. Those were the days when PCs had just made

an appearance and were proving difficult to understand for his generation. Then

Welch had a brainwave.

 

He brought in the kids as computers teachers for his senior managers. Hence, the

first computer gurus for GE where not corporate trainers, but - school children.