Implementation Parable – A Taste of Banzo’s Sword
Transformation
Digital Transformation is a thing. A recognized effort that many companies are now grasping. It was only for the bleeding edge with deep pockets a few years ago, but now it’s fully commercial. (Sorry for the business pun).
However, many companies and people on our Sales team could learn from this parable. So, suppose you aren’t interested in reading the whole story. In that case, I’ll save you the suspense: The faster you approach your desire without understanding and appreciating the journey, the longer the journey.
The Parable
Once upon a time, there was a young and ambitious boy named Matajuro. Matajuro wanted to be the best swordsman in all of the land. So he tracked down Banzo, the greatest Sword Master, to ask him to teach him.
“How long will it take me to become a master?” he asked. “Suppose I become your servant, to be with you every minute; how long?”
“Ten years,” said Banzo.
“My father is getting old,” pleaded Matajuro. “Before ten years have passed, I wmustreturn home to take care of him. But, then, suppose I work twice as hard. How long will it take me?”
“Thirty years,” said Banzo.
“How is that?” asked Matajuro. “When I offer to work twice as hard, you say it will take three times as long. Let me make myself clear. I will work unceasingly. No hardship will be too much. How long will it take?”
“Seventy years,” said Banzo, “A pupil in such a hurry learns slowly.”
Matajuro understood that he was being rebuked for his impatience. So he begrudgingly took on an apprentice role requiring him not to touch a sword or speak about sword fighting.
Every day for three years, Matajuro washed dishes, tended the garden, cooked, and cleaned. Then, one day, Banzo crept up on Matajuro and smacked him with a wooden spoon. Another day, he surprised him with a broom. And after each attack, Banzo just disappeared without a word.
With the increasing frequency of the attacks, Matajuro learned to work on his toes and was always aware of his surroundings. Eventually, Banzo let him know that he was finally ready to learn. And in lightning speed, Matajuro learned to be one of the best swordsmen in the land.
The Lesson
This story is not specifically about Digital Transformation. It will be a long journey if you rush into anything (like Digital Transformation). If you are doing it for the wrong reasons, it will be a LONG journey. The point? Be realistic about what you are trying to accomplish. Be humble, and be hungry, but don’t be above doing the dirty work to make things successful. Above all else, have patience.
References and Resources
Supporting Music
The Night We Met by Lord Huron
Originally Posted June 19, 2019