Howitzers and Cruise Missiles

Before you start to think I have changed my focus significantly.... This is just a catchy title / analogy I have been thinking about for a few months. Also, it is a continuation of yesterdays post...

Now, things are tight all over. Companies have fewer employees that are expected to attain similar results. ( due to layoffs, work force reductions, early retirement offerings, etc) Companies have fewer dollars to invest due to tighter margins, fewer sales, etc. Competition is absolutely intense as everyone works to survive. So should we be doing more "planning/executing" or "just doing it" ?

Here's where the first analogy comes in. The cruise missile is an incredible weapon that can be launched haphazardly into the air... You really do not need to know exactly where you want to hit until it gets close to the destination. This is because you can always significantly adjust its objective. The cruise missile is the ideal tool for significantly changing markets, "just do it" managers, etc.

Now compare this to a howitzer that fires smart projectiles. With this weapon, you really need to know where your target is located and need to take some time to get it dialed in. This is because you can only make minimal adjustments once the projectile is in the air. The big question is why does the military use the inflexible howitzer???

Well if money, resources, people, etc were unconstrained, the cruise missile would be the ideal weapon !!! Unfortunately this is not the case with many companies at this time, and often should not be the case for most companies. (ie invest wisely & make money for shareholders) Therefore it is my opinion that companies really need to dial in their low cost, low variability and incredibly effective howitzer.

Now I know maintaining the required discipline is hard when people think the sky is falling !!!! Yet what is the alternative, launch a bunch of cruise missiles and hope they have enough fuel to see them to their destination ??? Especially when you can't afford cruise missiles in the first place...

Another analogy: The river level gets lower and there are more sandbars and rocks. Is this the time to push ahead full speed? Or a time to make sure your plan's are SMART and can be executed effectively.

Final analogy: You are going to war against a foe that has more soldiers and weapons... Do you need to have better battle plans? Or do you just send in the soldiers and assume they will survive because you sent them into a desperate situation ? (ie they are motivated)

Thoughts ?