Why Management Trends Quickly Fade Away

In the June 26 issue of the WSJ, there was an article on "Why Management Trends Quickly Fade Away," which revealed why management trends or fads like "Total Quality Management" and "Business Process Reengineering" tend to fade away quickly.

In fact, the 2003 book "What's the Big Idea?" lists more than 140 recent management ideas from "Activity-based costing" to "Zero-based budgeting."

The reason for the fallout?

"Management consultants not trained sufficiently in the management practice in question. The surge of less qualified consultants contributes to ensuing frustration as businesses struggle to implement the idea. Eventually, interest falls off and the boom ends."

BOTTOMLINE: When considering a management improvement idea or method, make sure it is designed based on proven best-practices. Be wary....the lastest "new" idea is just that.

Six Disciplines is not a "new" management methodology, but it is unique however.

Six Disciplines is the first sustainable business excellence program, optimized for execution, and specifically designed for small and mid-sized businesses. Six Disciplines assists the leadership of mature companies that realize they need to plan AND execute strategy more effectively

The Six Disciplines Program employs a unique enduring framework that encompasses four components to achieve lasting business excellence: a sustainable business-building methodology based on proven best practices; continuous accountability coaching; use of software technologies to align daily activities with organizational goals and strategies; and accelerated learning from a community of like-minded professionals who are willing to share and champion the benefits of such a sustainable program.