Cartoons

Our series of “Life in a Matrix” cartoons describe typical incidents for people working in complex and matrix organizations.

If, like most of the people we work with, you recognize the symptoms; why not contact us to find out about some of the solutions.

© These images are copyright Global Integration – if you work in an organization and want to use these in presentations or forward them to friends you are free to do so as long as the website address remains on the image. If you wish to use these in publications, training or for commercial gain please get our written agreement first. We can also supply higher resolution copies,

Alignment – are your people pulled in different directions?

People in matrix and other complex organization structures can feel pulled in different directions by multiple reporting lines and competing priorities. If you recognize this feeling you may need our matrix management training

Lack of Communication - you must be joking

Many business problems today are put down to a "lack of communication" but how can this be when we spend 80% or more of our time communicating? We think that lack of communication is a problem of the past - the problem today is too much, poor quality communication. Learn how to cut out unnecessary communication with our Speed Lead process

Too much cooperation going on?

Teamwork has become a religion - it is in our appraisals, our corporate values and our selection criteria. But teamwork is only one way to get things done and it can be an expensive and frustrating way to work when people are in multiple locations with little opportunity to get face to face. Find some faster, simpler alternatives to teamwork with Speed Lead

Matrix Management - all structure, no skills?

Many organizations focus too much on the structure of the matrix and too little on the new people management skills that the structure needs. The structure itself solves nothing - learn more about the matrix management skills that make the matrix really work.

Control - a finger on the pulse or a grip on the jugular?

There are many factors in complex organizations that undermine trust. In the absence of trust, central control tends to tighten and pretty soon nobody can make a decision and escalation becomes routine. We believe that real control is exercised fast and close to the action - Learn more about how we do this.

Too much information sharing?

Many "teams" spend an hour or more per week updating each other on activities in their areas of responsibility. In most instances this information is irrelevant to the other team members. Learn how to focus your team meetings and conference calls on what is relevant to the participants.

International Arrivals

You only get one chance to make a first impression. If you need some practical tools and skills for working with colleagues from other cultures you may need our tools for cross-cultural success training