I have a pet hate with IT opinion pieces that compare our business to other industries. This is an example but it’s one of millions…
RT @DOES_USA: A few things #enterprise #IT can learn from car production… ?@mik_kersten? ?@Tasktop? #DOES18 pic.twitter.com/iDClIQ0WIo— Gene Kim (@RealGeneKim) October 23, 2018
More often than not we’re compared to car factories or airlines. I don’t understand why. I waited for months for my car and I can talk to you for hours about the issues of airlines. Is there anyone left in the western world who doesn’t have a horror story about flying?
What’s special about these industries other than cars and planes appeal to middle aged men? I’d also argue that there is as much variation within these industries than there is in common. I think that Aston Martin and Skoda look as different as RyanAir and Emirates.
Why aren’t we comparing ourselves to McDonald’s, Goldman Sachs, Real Madrid or Red Bull? I can only think that it’s the appeal is because they’re engineering companies with large physical machines that move.
There is also the risk of comparing whole industries as if they had a single culture and operating model. They don’t, never had and never will.
First prize goes to the person that compares us to a religion or an animal! đŸ˜‰
