Good comments. I think you must have assumed FLW intended the function of the chair was your comfort. Perhaps the function was only to provide a brief rest, a moment to recover from bumping your head on the low ceiling…or after having slipped on the puddle caused by a leaky roof, or merely intended to hurry you along on your tour of Taliesin West or Fallingwater. Form and function, again one.

I like the idea of Tazlina Hotshots. That brings up even better images than riding snow machines up the haul road with a multiplexor strapped on the back with bungee cords.

Best ~ Tim

first, about the banner-quote. the very last person to suggest form follow function is f. l. wright. without question he applied a uniform, aesthetically pleasing and all-encompassing structure to his work. it’s clearest when he was given total control over all aspects of a building/house/hotel. but take a look at some of his furniture and you’ll see how many pieces were designed for the space it occupies and not for practical use humans much less their physical comfort.

second, i’ve always felt a 3rd type of IT service biz model exists. something more along the lines of the Tazlina Hotshots. people who are called to jump into the hottest raging inferno and expected to perform miracles. while never in the same intensity or self sacrificing nature, i’ve been dropped into recently-burning situations that needed someone to stand up, ignore the devastation and take control of a bad situation. you might categorize this as more of a tactical response that leads to one of your two defined models. but to me that sort of company and it’s guerrillas always seemed like a very different beast. people who succeed in amidst panic don’t necessarily fit in a controlled & thoughtful response environment.

just my two satangs.
dan.

Thanks for the response. I agree wholeheartedly. A well designed system is only a part of the recipe. The organization will only function with associates (from top to entry level) who demonstrate integrity, competence, and work ethic — and who are both motivated to add value for the clients and build a successful service enterprise. Organizations only optimize at a sustainable level when they pay effective, simultaneous attention to client, employee, and shareholder interests.

I appreciate your readership and kind words.

Best ~ Tim

Thoroughly enjoyed the article, thank you. I have had the opportunity to live this at the inception level (member of 3 professional services firms) and more recently as a Fortune 500 customer. Your observations and conclusions ring true from both vantage points. You lay out a compelling case for the elements of a successful professional services company.

Effectively leading and managing such an operation is the art. I had the opportunity to watch both you and Jon Peacock discover, define and implement the model you describe. Each of the areas above was set in place. The one missing piece is people leadership – it is what breathes life into the system. And in that area, you too, excelled.

Thanks for the blog. Look forward to the book.

As a partner at a large accounting firm, this advice is absolutely consistent with how we look at the financial and operating rigor needed to run a successful business.

Tim – thank you for taking the time to create and share this timeless and insightful article.