MORE WISDOM FROM CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS.

10 WAYS TO MAKE AN ENTERPRISE FAIL

• Choose strategies and projects whose proposals are constructed from a composite of every current buzz-word and always give preference to those with more emphasis on high flown intentions than on boring practicalities.
• Ensure that your chosen projects are led by people who have already demonstrated that they can fail in other spheres or, at the very least, are unsullied by previous success.
• Have a Mission Statement, which puts you at the leading edge, but make sure that reality never competes with this fantasy.
• Develop a process of governance, which is a confusing mixture of close scrutiny (many detailed reporting measures, preferably every month) and ignorant lack of concern (minimal direct involvement in understanding what people are really trying to do).
• Remember that deferred or ambiguous decisions (preferably both, and frequently) bring very rewarding uncertainty to staff.
• If it looks as though there might be some successes, change direction, add new activities, change people's roles, improve confusion by adding new perspectives and keep people guessing wherever possible, especially about what business you are in.
• Ensure that employees and agents are unaware of the financial implications of their own actions; give encouragement and preference to those who believe money follows those that spend it fastest.
• Create new roles for people who are failing in their current role and give them plenty of resources to keep them quiet.
• Remember that humiliation, overwork, lack of trust and recognition, and the creation of warring factions will create a climate where no-one will be able to succeed, however hard they try.
• If in doubt, shout.

Charlotte Young
School for Social Entrepreneurs and Woodbridge Partners Ltd
December 2004