The Role of Adaptability in Alignment

by Jim Highsmith

One of the key factors in misalignment is change. There is so much change, things are moving so much faster, and business models are changing -- dramatically. We all know about the e-commerce initiatives from Internet companies such as Amazon.com, Dell, Cisco, and Intel. But within the last month, both Ford and General Motors (GM) announced major e-commerce initiatives. They're essentially moving toward the Dell model. Just as you can go to Dell's site and configure the kind of Dell computer you want, Ford and GM are saying that you will be able to log onto their sites, configure the car you want, and three days later go to the dealer to pick it up. These are massive business model changes. The question is, how do we align when things are changing to this degree?