A standard is something we can all benefit from. The world around us has been standardized. We all drive at the “right” side of the road. We all have a DVD that can be used in any player. We use a standard credit card. The barcode on the cornflakes is also standard. The electricity plug you use for shaving (your legs) are also standard. The decimal system is standard. The articles are interfaces by a standard XML protocol. If you are serviced by your bank you pay a standard commission. The software in your company runs on a standard server and if we are ill we all go and visit the doctor. That is the standard.

But behind the standard is the exception. There are a few countries where they drive left. You cannot use a video from the US in Europe, if you travel you need an adapter for the electric appliances, besides the decimal systems there are other systems in use, one server appears to support to a different standard. If your portfolio is exceeding the standard limit you will benefit a special cut on your commission. The financial world uses another XML than the industrial world and if you do not agree with the diagnosis of your doctor you can visit an alternative therapist.

A standard is set by majority voting; the standard doesn’t have to be optimal, if it is broadly accepted, it will be de facto the standard.

In line with this, a standard solution is one that is commonly accepted by most people. But this is not easy, especially in business where there are many flavors and preferences.

A manager would more easily accept and even propose a standard solution because it serves efficiency. At the other end, there is the specialist which is normally not served with a standard approach. This (conflict) is most visible in hospitals where the medical staff and management must agree on this issue.

Finding the right balance is the solution. Negotiating is the means to get there.

© 2006 Hans Bool

Hans Bool is the founder of Astor White a traditional management consulting company that offers online management advice. Astor Online solves issues in hours what normally would take days. You can apply for a free demo account

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