Social Futures LO7885

Julie Beedon (julie@vistabee.win-uk.net)
Fri, 14 Jun 1996 16:13:19

Replying to LO7874 --

>organizational survival is important in order to provide jobs for people;
>jobs are important so that people can care for themselves, their families,
>their communities, the earth. Or to contribute something meaningful to
>others. Or to cultivate personal talents and abilities. Or to otherwise
>live life more fully. How different might our workplaces be if we kept
>these assumptions, as goals, in front of us--NOT replacing wealth, but at
>least alongside it?
>
>I sometimes think we sell ourselves short by keeping money as the bottom
>line. I'll step off my soapbox now . . .

I would like to climb on this soap-box.....

I think this is one of the reasons I like Ackoffs modelling of
organisations as social systems.

It may be something which is related to our whole family experience
of David's calling to the priesthood but I know it made me spend
some time reviewing my own calling. At the time I was working as
an internal consultant and I had a great sense of vocation - to
the people in the organisation as well as o the whole system - I
worked for the Employment Service and it was improtantt o me that
what we did in terms of quality improvements etc would ultimately
impact unemployed people and possibly the economy.

Leaving meant reviewing my calling and I did so in the light of a
lot of criticism from people in the organisation that I was
leaving to make a lot of money (all other external consultants -
laugh now!) Why did I feel called to leave - was it a money
thing (well so far I have had less than or equal to what I had then
so it was a mistake if that was the case) no it was more of a
sense that we had something to offer - something which could make
a difference for people and organisations. I would have space for
my family (joke - I didn't anticipate the travelling!!) and
hopefully be able to do work with churches and communities.
Having said that we are not running a charity - I feel we need as
an organisation to saty in business and make enough money to be able
to advance our own learning (books and conferences are not cheap)
to network and share learning with people (takes time and money to
travel, use the internet and keep up the networks which keep
information flowing) to educate our children, to be able to rest
and relax at times, to give money to church and charities......
It is probably much easier for us running our own business to keep
those running along side us - although the reality is probably that
as individuals we all do this - I saw Ackoff in video say
something on the lines that Senior Mangers cannot possibly be
running Corporations solely for profit because they would not
travel in company jets/first class or equip their offices in such
splendour - no they are runnin with their own personal needs
alongside thise of the compnay - so what we need to do perhpas is
be conscious that what is true for us is true for everyone...

Does that mean anything??

Julie Beedon
VISTA Consulting - for a better future
julie@vistabee.win-uk.net

-- 

Julie Beedon <julie@vistabee.win-uk.net>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>