My brain is currently bulging with the contents of Thomas Friedman’s best-seller, “The World is Flat.” Friedman, the Pulitzer-winning foreign affairs columnist for The New York Times, makes the case that a convergence of technological factors during the past five years has vastly and irrevocably changed the way the world works and lives.
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He suggests broad-scale connectivity to the Net, advanced software that makes it easy to share work product with others and almost universal wireless access have driven globalization to new, unprecedented levels. He details how companies and individuals now are working in virtual infrastructures that link nations such as China and India to places such as Kansas City and Peoria, Ill., seamlessly and cheaply. Thus, the “flattening” of the world refers to the fact that the culture of business is becoming less hierarchical and more collaborative because of the new technologies and the special opportunities presented by working with colleagues halfway around the Earth.
It’s a fascinating look at the brave new world of commerce and culture that’s just beginning to take shape. I encourage you to make it your bedside reading of choice.
But, of course, as I read it, I tried to consider the ramifications of this new “flat” world for our happy little business. A few observations:
- Friedman specifically mentions that businesses that are tied inherently to one location (tourism, the local service station, recreational facilities – like golf courses – etc.) are far less impacted than knowledge-based organizations that can create, manufacture or sell anywhere. In short, we are unlikely to be “flattened” out of business like travel agencies, traditional phone companies and commoditized industries.
- That said, we are seeing a flattening trend within our facilities that is a microcosm of what Friedman describes. The days of the old “silo” mentality with clubs where the pro, the superintendent and the food-and-beverage manager act independently are coming screeching to a halt. Call it team decision-making, call it economic reality, call it what you want; the point is that it’s a welcome and healthy trend toward collaboration that helps facilities operate more efficiently in our new world.
- Flattening can and has affected the general economic basis (memberships and play) of our business already. Not necessarily because we’ve “off-shored” jobs, or China and India are outcompeting us. Instead, it has more to do with the 24/7/365 mentality created by the trend. Time, in this emerging new world, is compressed to the point where a five-hour R&R break on the course is hard to come by.
Yes, our market is flat. We’re treading water in tough times. But, in the new flat world that’s coming, we need to think about how we can keep from sinking – or better yet, swim faster than everyone else to win the economic race. GCN
Pat Jones is president of Flagstick, LLC.
