“On Song" in Formula One

Formula One racing is just one example of the necessity for constant improvement, and what is required for that improvement to take place in our ever-changing world. In Illumin, A Review of Engineering in Everyday Life, an engineering periodical, George Stratis makes some interesting observations about the Formula One Racing industry. He introduces the article by stating “In order for the Formula One industry to produce some of the fastest cars in the world, art, science, and engineering must find common ground. Fierce competition and numerous regulations necessitate new design approaches in order to gain the few milliseconds that can separate the winners from the losers.

Designers, engineers and computer scientists utilize the latest computer aided design technology in an effort to create the perfect racing machine.”

Those individuals surrounded by the complexities of a modern day business environment can quickly see the similarities. Stratis goes on to write, “Each year the handful of teams that participate in the Formula One circuit design a car from scratch, able to perform in a continuously evolving and highly competitive environment. The manufacturers only receive three months of off-season time. Such time-limited operation requires excellent management and team work. (Sounds similar to the requirements of today’s business imperatives, doesn’t it?) Usually one manufacturer designs the car chassis while another is in charge of the engine. It may seem counter-intuitive to design such critical components independently, but with proper coordination, models can fit perfectly the first time the car is assembled. It is crucial to “avoid any misunderstandings that often take place when experts of different domains…have to find a common language to transfer knowledge” (Susca 248*).”

The slightest misalignment of even the smallest component can take the car “off-song”, with the impending result. Keeping a car “on song” requires constant attention, sophisticated tools, and practiced expertise. The most experienced in Formula One racing can know a car so well that by simply listening they can tell if a car is “on song” or “off-song.”

“On Song" in Business

In business, there are naturally many variables that exist as we interact with each other and try to reach our goals. These variables or components include a unique set of experiences and capabilities we all bring to the workplace. They not only include specific skills, but also beliefs, fears, perspectives, our own “language” or thought patterns, and our individual measure of success. As these variables interact, they create a complexity that can be hard to handle and can cause a loss of energy and performance. We have certainly struggled to find a sufficient blend of these complex components to get our companies “on song,” as in Formula One racecars. Though it is difficult, when we become “on song” it not only produces victory, but it can create an environment that is exciting and fun—even addicting; free from the politics, confusion, excuses, in-fighting, and unfulfilled expectations that exist within many organizations today. And it will set new levels of response time, agility, speed and consistency. Contact Us Now to find out what On Song can do for you.

“On Song" in Human Motivation

One of the most challenging variables we all face in our businesses is human motivation: understanding what motivates people to continue improving and doing their best. Human motivation, as it flows through finely tuned capability, is the true power of any group or individual, and it must be understood, aligned and optimized to achieve the remarkable intensity of being “on song.” To align motivation is to have people wanting the same thing with the same level of intensity. When people have aligned motivation, what matters to one matters to all. Aligning motivation not just amongst employees, but everyone who effects and interacts with the group’s strategy—customers, investors, vendors, the community etc—can provide the “milliseconds” that make the difference between victory and defeat. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it where improvements can be made in your organization.