99 Problems: Sticking to the Plan—Here’s Why It’s Killing Your Business

Have you noticed how often businesses often cling to traditional models like a life raft—only to find themselves stranded in a sea of missed opportunities? It’s not their fault, really. The familiar feels safe, even when it’s clearly sinking. Here’s the harsh truth: in a world that moves as fast as a TikTok trend, being slow to adapt is a recipe for stagnation.

Take Kodak, for example. Remember them? The kingpins of film photography? They saw the digital wave coming a mile off—heck, one of their engineers invented the first digital camera back in 1975—but they sat on it because film was their bread and butter. By the time they pivoted, the market had moved on, and their refusal to embrace agility cost them their crown.

This is the corporate equivalent of hanging onto your Blockbuster membership card because streaming is just a fad.

The Problem with Over-Reliance on Tradition

The issue here isn’t just about outdated business models; it’s about inefficiency, misalignment, and a baffling complexity that chokes decision-making at every level. Let’s break it down:

1. Inefficiency in Communication: Are your meetings just elaborate exercises in talking without actually understanding? Text-heavy reports, unengaging presentations, and a lack of clarity waste time and energy, leaving teams directionless. 

2. Miscommunication and Misalignment: Is your team rowing the same boat or paddling in circles? Different departments often interpret the same strategy in wildly different ways. The result? Delays, budget overruns, and unmet objectives. 

3. Overcomplexity in Decision-Making: Are you drowning in data but parched for insights? A deluge of information overwhelms decision-makers, making it nearly impossible to act decisively.

The consequences of ignoring these problems are stark. Wasted resources, lost opportunities, and the creeping stagnation that turns once-thriving organisations into footnotes in business history.

A Real-World Example: NASA’s Faster, Better, Cheaper Misstep 

NASA, in the 1990s, adopted a model called Faster, Better, Cheaper to deliver more missions at lower costs. Sounds great, right? Until it wasn’t. Communication breakdowns, misaligned teams, and overcomplex processes led to the failure of high-profile missions like the Mars Climate Orbiter and the Mars Polar Lander. The post-mortem revealed that their quest for agility lacked the cohesion and clarity necessary to succeed, proving that simply wanting to innovate isn’t enough—you need a system that aligns everyone around clear, actionable insights.

The Solution: Visual Thinking with We Are Cognitive

Here’s where things get exciting: we’ve made it our mission at We Are Cognitive to democratise knowledge by turning traditional, cumbersome communication into something that is clear, actionable, and inspiring.

Our four-pillar methodology ensures every piece of communication you create works as hard as your best employees.

1. Inform: We don’t just hand you information; we shape understanding. Picture this: instead of a 30-page report your team ignores, you get a visual story that corrects misconceptions, aligns goals, and cuts through the noise like a hot knife through butter. 

2. Develop: Skills are the gateway to growth. Imagine your team equipped with the tools and knowledge to communicate like leaders and tackle challenges with confidence. That’s what our visuals teach—through engaging, transformative storytelling. 

3. Enable: Insight without action is like a map without a compass. We make sure your team not only understands the path forward but has the tools to make those important choices. 

4. Animate: Emotions drive decisions. Our visual narratives don’t just inform; they inspire. We connect with your audience at a deeper level, moving them to act and fostering lasting engagement.

Data to Drive the Point Home 

The McKinsey Report on Agility (2021) found that organisations that adopt agile approaches see a 30% improvement in operational efficiency. The kicker? Agility isn’t just about speed—it’s about clarity, alignment, and action.

What This Means for You 

Imagine a workplace where your team actually gets it. Where communication doesn’t feel like wading through a swamp but like gliding on a zip line. Where decisions are made quickly because the right information is presented clearly, and everyone is aligned.

With visual thinking, you don’t just solve problems—you prevent them from happening in the first place. The result? A team that’s not just surviving but thriving, armed with the tools to outpace competitors and seize opportunities.

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It’s time to ditch the old playbook and start thinking visually. Because when you can see the bigger picture, the path forward becomes obvious. As I have said – when communication is clear, progress is inevitable. Are you ready? Let’s make it happen.