Be an enterprise catalyst

I came across an interesting e-mailer entitled “Carrots, Eggs & Coffee Beans” and I thought it was worth sharing to Source-IT-Straight readers, especially with the financial crisis gripping the global economy. The topic seems quite timely, specifically in reminding us how we should all view adversities and respond to challenges that come our way.

In the article, different physiological reactions were contrasted when the carrot, egg and coffee bean were subjected to a pot of boiling water. To summarize, the carrot wilted and lost its strength, the egg hardened, while the coffee bean managed to release its fragrance and flavor aside from changing the total appearance of the water. The pot of boiling water is representative of adversities, trials or challenges, and we all respond differently when we all go through a test. A carrot is someone perceived to be strong at first, but with hardships and obstacles, becomes soft and loses strength. Meanwhile, an egg is someone who starts with a very kind and soft heart like its yolk, but with hardships and trials, changes. Its shell may look the same but “internal bitterness” made it cynical and stiff. Lastly, the change in the color of the water when the coffee bean was boiled is perceived as someone who gets better and decides to do something positive in the most difficult circumstances. More than highlighting various responses to adversities, the article underscores positive commitment and attitude, as key route to success and happiness.

The same lesson applies today, given the bearish headlines that relentlessly unfold since the US financial debacle started this year. With an uncertain investing environment, several businesses have become more cautious about expansion efforts, as global financial institutions are still “risk-averse” to support short- to medium-term liquidity requirements. Within the e-Marketplace we operate, however, it is interesting to note that the sturdier ones are those who view opportunities despite volatile business scenarios. More and more trading partners are finding reasons to link up within our exchange to better cross-sell items and services and keep themselves attuned to decision-making patterns among buyers. Since e-Marketplace entrepreneurs manage to veer away from stringent administrative procedures and are able to focus on their core competency, most have taken a pro-active role to respond to challenging times by diversifying earnings resources.

These days, every contribution from each department within an organization matters. Over and above the sales force, specific units are expected to perform in ways that would help companies grow regardless of whether their contribution is deemed large or small. For example, paperless routes via e-commerce transactions help trim paper, printer and cartridge requirements, as savings are funneled back for more important needs to the treasury department. Demand for consolidated communication channels through the Internet which facilitate data integration and requirement aggregation is also intensifying, especially when the sale or disposal of a certain item is linked to requisitions for new items. Here, participants are give assurance of extra funding sources relative to tight budgets, without necessarily trading off the essence of transparency. Speaking of budgets, those who started early on with their information technology (IT) drive are swifter in sourcing raw material variants or alternatives, providing flexibility and balance between the objectives of their purchasing units vis-a-vis quality control teams. As a result, greater resources can be devoted to research and development that helps create multipliers for the firm’s organic growth cycle.

In summary, the quest for continuous improvement should not be overlooked, even when the most pressing era occurs. Challenges require enterprise catalysts, as these precious resources are the driving force that keeps global economies moving.

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The author is the administrative manager of SourcePilipinas.com. For your queries, e-mail her at [email protected].