Resiliency is the ability to bounce back and to adapt to threats against lines of communication and disruptions of supply. Robustness is the ability to avoid or withstand these theats in the first place.
2013 ended with a lot of disruptive weather throughout North America and Europe, and 2014 is starting in pretty much the same conditions. This is a good reminder to develop resiliency and robustness in your organization and business. From Brilliant Manoeuvres: How to Use Military Wisdom to Win Business Battles, here are four key to resiliency and robustness:
- Redundancy: Multiple means of supply and transportation, routes, stockpiles, etc. In other words, there should always be multiple logistical means in effect, or at least the possibility of alternatives that can be put into action quickly.
- Reaction: Rapid detection of changes in conditions, new threats and risks, and the ability to react and spring into action quickly with contingency plans and/or problem solving.
- Responsiveness: Capacity to adapt to changing requirements and conditions, especially those that are generated internally by the company or supply chain as a result of new products or processes.
- Anticipation: The foresight to imagine potential future scenarios in order to create contingency plans or adapt in advance of changing requirements and conditions.
Food for Thought
How vulnerable is your organization or business? Do you have continency plans to deal with disruptions and dislocations in your business, supply, distribution network, etc.?
Richard Martin is a consultant, speaker, and executive coach. He brings his military and business leadership and management experience to bear for executives and organizations seeking to exploit change, maximize opportunity, and minimize risk.
© 2013 Richard Martin. Reproduction and quotes are permitted with proper attribution.