Reboot. You know what it means. It means my g*ddam PC isn't working and I have to restart it losing all the work I haven't yet saved. Now I get to start all over from square one. The only good thing that comes from it is that now my PC is working again and I can get back to work.
I got to thinking about "reboot" not because my computer is acting up, though it does far more than it should, but because the term "reboot" is all over today's newspaper. It is being used to describe how DC Comics, publishers of Superman, Batman, and 50+ other comic book titles, is restarting all its story lines. The comic book company that invented superheroes with the creation of Superman and Batman in the 1930's (and for whom I worked for several years in the early 1990's) is resetting all of its 52 continuing series. They start anew today.
Ballsy or stupid? In my estimation, ballsy.
The reality is that the folks at DC Comics have seen their market dwindling. Interest in comic books, and particularly their comic books, is down. Licensing opportunities for new movies and products have decreased accordingly. Management had a decision to make, either write a plan based on a shrinking business or make a move sure to upset many of its existing customers and reboot with the goal of returning to growth.
When's the last time you looked at areas of your company that could use a reboot? Chances are that in the midst this Great Recession there are areas of your business that would benefit from a fresh start. Here are the 7 steps that will guide your process.
Let go. The old saying that you can't get to second base with your foot still on first is never more true than when you start this process. Are you willing to break from the present to build a path to a new future? Anything short of that and you're talking tweaks. Be clear on which path you're choosing.
Set clear objectives. Where will you be when you've succeeded in your reboot? How will you measure progress?
Share your vision. And accept input from all of your stakeholders. Seek out the naysayers and listen to their concerns. You need buy-in, even from those coming along reluctantly.
Expect pain. Things will get worse before they get better. Count on it. You can't fix your golf swing without your game going in the tank along the way and the same is true of your business. Be prepared for the turmoil that change will cause and don't let it stop your progress. This is a natural progression.
Tap your leaders. Let others in the organization help to make your case. Avoid making your reboot a top-down mandate by allowing for leaders at all levels of the organization to help drive it. Your rank and file are the people who will hear the concerns and fears of those who just don't like change. Empower them to coach and counsel. Create a feedback loop and make sure all voices are heard and responded to.
Set milestones. Change will come incrementally. Set measurable goals against time. Celebrate as you hit them. Continue to measure progress against your schedule. Share the success across the organization.
Don't back down. A reboot takes guts. Trust your instincts and see it through. You've written your plan and set your goals. Don't let hiccups or unforeseen problems along the way derail you. Stay focused on the final outcome. Once you hit the reboot key, there is no turning back.
Along the way, keep on eye on our old superhero friends at DC Comics. If you see them with more and better movies, TV shows, and other products and a general increased visibility, you'll know they stuck to their plan!
I got to thinking about "reboot" not because my computer is acting up, though it does far more than it should, but because the term "reboot" is all over today's newspaper. It is being used to describe how DC Comics, publishers of Superman, Batman, and 50+ other comic book titles, is restarting all its story lines. The comic book company that invented superheroes with the creation of Superman and Batman in the 1930's (and for whom I worked for several years in the early 1990's) is resetting all of its 52 continuing series. They start anew today.
Ballsy or stupid? In my estimation, ballsy.
The reality is that the folks at DC Comics have seen their market dwindling. Interest in comic books, and particularly their comic books, is down. Licensing opportunities for new movies and products have decreased accordingly. Management had a decision to make, either write a plan based on a shrinking business or make a move sure to upset many of its existing customers and reboot with the goal of returning to growth.
When's the last time you looked at areas of your company that could use a reboot? Chances are that in the midst this Great Recession there are areas of your business that would benefit from a fresh start. Here are the 7 steps that will guide your process.
Let go. The old saying that you can't get to second base with your foot still on first is never more true than when you start this process. Are you willing to break from the present to build a path to a new future? Anything short of that and you're talking tweaks. Be clear on which path you're choosing.
Set clear objectives. Where will you be when you've succeeded in your reboot? How will you measure progress?
Share your vision. And accept input from all of your stakeholders. Seek out the naysayers and listen to their concerns. You need buy-in, even from those coming along reluctantly.
Expect pain. Things will get worse before they get better. Count on it. You can't fix your golf swing without your game going in the tank along the way and the same is true of your business. Be prepared for the turmoil that change will cause and don't let it stop your progress. This is a natural progression.
Tap your leaders. Let others in the organization help to make your case. Avoid making your reboot a top-down mandate by allowing for leaders at all levels of the organization to help drive it. Your rank and file are the people who will hear the concerns and fears of those who just don't like change. Empower them to coach and counsel. Create a feedback loop and make sure all voices are heard and responded to.
Set milestones. Change will come incrementally. Set measurable goals against time. Celebrate as you hit them. Continue to measure progress against your schedule. Share the success across the organization.
Don't back down. A reboot takes guts. Trust your instincts and see it through. You've written your plan and set your goals. Don't let hiccups or unforeseen problems along the way derail you. Stay focused on the final outcome. Once you hit the reboot key, there is no turning back.
Along the way, keep on eye on our old superhero friends at DC Comics. If you see them with more and better movies, TV shows, and other products and a general increased visibility, you'll know they stuck to their plan!
