How Stella Saved the Farm

HOW STELLA SAVED THE FARM

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“How Stella saved the farm” is a simple parable about managing change and making innovation happen. It is inspired by George Orwells “animal farm”. It is a story about how animals run the farm. The story is composite of dozens of case studies of real life companies – IBM, BMW etc. It is a simple story of farm that runs into trouble and how it innovates to get out of trouble.

The main characters in the story—Stella, Deirdre, Bull, Mav, Einstein, Rambo, Maisie, and Andrea—are all like people you know, maybe even yourself. The tale includes an unexpected leadership challenge, an ambitious call to action, a bold idea, countless internal obstacles and conflicts, fears, joys and triumphs. Here begins the story………….

Once upon a time there lived a horse on a farm, his name was John Patrick or JP. JP was an extraordinary horse for he could also read and write. Soon after the farm owners suddenly abandoned the farm, JP decided to run the farm himself. He educated the other animals, and so the world’s first animal run farm was born – Windsor Farm!

The Windsor farm has been run by JP’s great great grandson Marcus for over two decades, He ran a remarkably tight and efficient business and expanded the farm into one of the best in the county. Bull was his second-in-command and tipped to take over from Marcus. He was strong, dominant and headed bovine operations. Marcus’s daughter Deidre headed the ovine operations, Deidre had always shown a flair for nurturing innovation.

Here we go…………

Marcus: How are my grandsons? Keeping up with their studies?

Deirdre: They’re keeping up just fine. I am the one who has trouble keeping up with them.

Marcus: Deirdre, there comes a time in every stallion’s life when it becomes necessary to confront retirement. I have come to that point. I am ready.

Deirdre: Dad, of course, I—everyone in our farm family—will support your choice. You’ve certainly earned a nice retirement. But why now? You...