Business Acumen
Today’s utility environment is being reshaped by a number of forces and trends. These forces are dynamic and are converging to create complex situations for utility leaders. By nature, utilities have been slow to change and have traditionally been inefficient in areas of business continuity and service delivery.
A recent report indicated that many of the ingrained business processes are an impediment to new efficiencies and standards of service that are required in the new energy innovation environment. “If the process seems to function and generates some result, the impetus to take on the formidable task of change usually disappears.” But today, new forces and challenges are creating a perfect storm leaving few options but for change. The need for strong business acumen, the ability to make smart business judgments, has never been greater than in today's increasingly demanding environment. The report concluded that business acumen does not focus on budgets. It shifts the focus to finding ways to measure and assess the value of capital resources and then maximizes that value to the enterprise in support of its mission.
The Smart Energy Source consortium provides a framework for effective change as we move toward a smart grid. Throughout history there are examples of where we have failed to see the opportunity to shape change versus being shaped by the change. How do we remove blinders to greater understanding and the need for change? How can we break through barriers of past mental maps? The author of It Starts with One indicates that it comes in two parts--contrast and confrontation. The basic premise of this approach is to have a clearer understanding and picture of our old mental maps and the new map that is unfolding-contrast. Many of the current initiatives within the Smart Energy Source consortium are allowing partners to better understand the contrast and how we can most effectively confront the challenges of the future. Visit www.smartenergysource.coop and learn more about the current case studies and see how you can join in this effort.
Written By: jzweiacker
Date Posted: 8/6/2010
Number of Views: 177
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