Learning orgs. and the media LO10811

rich jones (rjones@pathcom.com)
Thu, 31 Oct 1996 19:19:14 -0500

I'm a broadcaster and writer in Toronto, and I've been following the
dialogue here with considerable interest for a couple of weeks now.
Specifically, I'm percolating with an idea I'd like to bounce off the
members of this list, trusting that, true to form, you will tell me what
you really think/feel about it.

A couple of postings ago, Ben Compton outlined his intriguing
"experiment" with artists, scientists and managers examining business
themes. As part of that post, he casually dropped in a rather flamboyant
(some would say controversial) statement: "Most meaningful social change
comes from the corporate world." That comment could certainly be
challenged, and I originally set out to do just that. And in the
process, ran into an idea, which I'll introduce with a question: Do you
think there is a market for a television show exploring this "meaningful
social change coming from the corporate world"?

Art Kleiner is onto something with his heretics perspective, and my
contention is that the heretical thinking and action taking place in the
boardrooms, on the shop floors and in the consultant's milieu offers
many possibilities for intriguing and provocative television. The show
could explore the newest concepts and practices in leadership,
management, organizational structure, performance measurement and
compensation, customer service, organizational mind sets, etc. through
the eyes of the individuals who are pushing the boundaries of the status
quo in whatever area of business they find themselves

I've been a professional broadcaster for 23 years, and also worked for a
couple of years on the west coast consulting to business and leading
seminars, and I have a deep interest in the questions and challenges
some business people, consultants and organizations are spearheading.
Their/your willingness to break through the traditional roles/ways of
doing things and look at the mental models which exist personally and
organization-wide, is exciting, and I think offers considerable value
for a world very much in need of this level of questioning. Seems to me
the tension between insecurity and creativity you have been exploring
lends itself extremely well to provocative journalistic scrutiny.

And so, your thoughts are most appreciated. I'm not looking for your
show suggestions just yet - although I could certainly use that down the
road as this idea progresses. But initially I'd like some feedback on
what you see as the potential, the pitfalls, the merits of this
fascinating (in my mind at least) program. Is it worth transporting the
idea from the grey matter in my brain to the lights-camera-action thrust
and parry of the media world? Please feel free to respond to me
personally or through this dialogue mechanism if it's of value to all.
And thanks in advance.

Rich Jones

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rich jones <rjones@pathcom.com>

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