Back to Webinars
    WebinarPositive Vision of the Future 2010 60 min

    Managing the Corporation in Crisis

    Even with balanced and holistic business performance, there may be times when external conditions almost blow the business apart. It is times like these that a crisis metaphor is needed if the business is to survive. This metaphor is the Apollo 13 mission. The recovery of the Apollo 13 space module with its occupants is one of the classic feats of people in the annals of pioneering endeavor. A new derivational model has emerged for applying the Apollo metaphor to a business in crisis. It is called DSL (Derived Solutions Logic). DSL uses three derivational principles to identify solutions to the crisis. These principles are 1) the literary device of alliteration, 2) the number of completeness, 7, and 3) the principle of hierarchy. Two of these principles were used by McKenzie associates in deriving their notable 7S Framework© for analyzing a corporation. The associates identified skills, strategy, staffing, structure, style, and systems as the essentials of corporate analysis. But, having analyzed scores of successful business, they had become convinced that central to corporate performance was the core values of the company. Using alliteration they added the seventh and central factor of performance they called, shared values. This webinar will provide examples of how to use the DSL model to exhaustively analyze the corporation in crisis and to identify essential strategies for survival.

    Presenter

    JM

    Jerry Murff

    •A corporation has seven distinct internal dynamics that must be addressed in surviving a corporate crisis •Participants will be introduced to both a metaphor for crisis management and a model for applying the metaphor •The leadership will learn that making saving the corporation’s people as their primary goal is the most powerful survival strategy •Participants will learn of the crucial role of innovation and synergy in surviving corporate crisis •Examples will be provided for deriving the essentials of survival in each of the business dynamics

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.Organizations can use the Apollo 13 mission as a metaphor for navigating and surviving extreme business crises.
    • 2.The Derived Solutions Logic (DSL) model provides a structured framework for analyzing a corporation in crisis.
    • 3.DSL uses the principles of alliteration, the number seven (completeness), and hierarchy to identify solutions.
    • 4.The DSL model is similar to the logic behind the McKinsey 7S Framework, which also used alliteration to add "shared values" as a key factor.
    • 5.Applying the DSL model helps leaders exhaustively analyze their organization and identify essential strategies for survival.

    The Apollo 13 Metaphor for Corporate Crisis

    When external conditions threaten to dismantle a business, a powerful metaphor can provide a framework for survival. This webinar proposes using the recovery of the Apollo 13 space mission as a classic example of overcoming a catastrophic crisis. This analogy helps frame the immense challenge, foster a problem-solving mindset, and unite teams toward a common goal of recovery and survival.

    Introducing Derived Solutions Logic (DSL)

    Derived Solutions Logic (DSL) is a new derivational model for applying the Apollo 13 metaphor to a business in crisis. It offers a structured approach to methodically analyze the corporation and identify the essential strategies for survival when intuition alone is not enough.

    The Three Derivational Principles

    The DSL model is built on three core principles to derive solutions:

    • Alliteration: Using this literary device to group related concepts.
    • The Number of Completeness (7): Structuring analysis around seven key factors.
    • Hierarchy: Organizing information and strategies in order of importance.

    These principles are not without precedent. Two of them were notably used by McKinsey associates in an early version of their 7S Framework, where they identified Skills, Strategy, Staffing, Structure, Style, and Systems. They later used alliteration to add the seventh, central factor: Shared Values.

    Applying DSL for Business Survival

    This webinar provides practical examples of how leaders can use the DSL model to exhaustively analyze their organization during a crisis. By applying the principles of alliteration, the number seven, and hierarchy, leaders can move beyond superficial fixes to pinpoint core issues and develop the critical strategies necessary for business continuity and recovery. The model allows for a disciplined evaluation of the company, anchored by its core values, to navigate through turbulent times.

    This session explores a unique metaphor and model for managing organizations in times of profound crisis, drawing lessons from the Apollo 13 mission's remarkable recovery. It introduces the Derived Solutions Logic (DSL) model, a structured approach to identifying critical solutions when external conditions threaten to dismantle a business, offering relevant insights for leaders navigating today's volatile environment.

    What you'll learn

    • The Apollo 13 Metaphor for Crisis: Understand how the space mission's recovery provides a powerful analogy for business survival in extreme conditions.
    • Derived Solutions Logic (DSL): Discover a structured model for analyzing corporate crises, utilizing principles of alliteration, the number seven, and hierarchy.
    • Three Derivational Principles: Learn how DSL uses these principles to pinpoint actionable solutions during distress.
    • Application of DSL: See practical examples of how to apply the DSL model to exhaustively analyze an organization in crisis.
    • Essential Strategies for Survival: Identify key strategies derived from the DSL analysis to ensure business continuity and recovery.

    Who this webinar is for

    • Executives and Senior Leaders: Those responsible for organizational strategy, resilience, and navigating difficult periods.
    • Crisis Management Teams: Professionals tasked with planning for and responding to unexpected corporate challenges.
    • Organizational Development Practitioners: Individuals interested in structured frameworks for problem-solving in high-stakes situations.
    • HR Professionals: Leaders involved in maintaining organizational stability and employee morale during turbulent times.

    Why it matters now

    In an era marked by rapid change, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical shifts, organizations frequently face unforeseen disruptions that can escalate into full-blown crises. The principles discussed in this webinar offer a timeless and robust framework for leaders to maintain composure, critically assess situations, and devise effective responses. Understanding how to apply a crisis metaphor like Apollo 13 can foster a resilient mindset, transforming seemingly insurmountable challenges into opportunities for strategic recovery and growth. Jerry Murff's insights provide a roadmap for methodical problem-solving when intuition alone is insufficient.

    How leaders can apply this

    Leaders can immediately apply the DSL model by:

    • Adopting a Crisis Metaphor: Encourage teams to view critical situations through a lens of collective resolution, similar to the Apollo 13 mission, fostering unity and a problem-solving mindset.
    • Structuring Crisis Analysis: Use DSL's three derivational principles (alliteration, the number seven, and hierarchy) to systematically break down complex crisis scenarios.
    • Identifying Essential Strategies: Apply the DSL model to pinpoint core issues and develop actionable strategies for survival and recovery, moving beyond superficial solutions.
    • Evaluating Core Values: Reflect on the organization's shared values, inspired by the McKinsey 7S Framework's emphasis on this factor, as a central anchor during crises.
    • Building Resilience: Integrate DSL principles into organizational planning and training to enhance preparedness and the ability to adapt to severe external pressures.

    About this session

    Key takeaways

    Watching this webinar gives you grounded, practical perspective on Future Focused. Expect ideas you can use in leadership conversations, not abstract theory, drawn from Jerry Murff's direct experience.

    Who this is for

    CHROs, HR business partners, talent leaders, executive coaches, organizational development practitioners, and senior leaders who are responsible for positive vision of the future inside their organization.

    Why it matters now

    Workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns, and AI-driven change keep raising the bar on culture and leadership. Sessions like this help leaders make smarter, more evidence-informed decisions about Future Focused.

    How to apply it

    Use the ideas here to challenge a current assumption on your team, design a single concrete experiment in the next 30 days, and bring one finding back to your leadership group for discussion.

    Frequently asked questions

    Topics

    Future Focused

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.