Responding to a Sequence of Events in Business

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Do you properly process and respond when you face a “sequence of events” in your business?

A “sequence of events” is a set of related events that follow each other in a particular order, one after another.

In the business world, a “sequence of events” often refers to a series of events and opportunities that unfold within a specific business scenario, marketplace or project.

Responding effectively to a “sequence of events” in business is crucial for many reasons, including the ability to capitalize immediately on opportunities, maintaining agility and managing risks.

One real-world example of a company reacting to “sequence of events” in business can be seen in how Apple developed, launched, marketed, expanded, innovated, iterated and impacted in the telecommunications and technology industries with the iPhone in 2007. The iPhone fundamentally changed the smartphone industry and catalyzed the company’s growth to become one of the most valuable in the world.

Another real-world example of reacting to a “sequence of events” is Netflix. As broadband technologies became more widespread, Netflix leveraged this technology to start offering streaming content directly to consumers’ homes in 2007 to compete with the video tapes and DVDs offered by Blockbuster.

This shift capitalized on growing consumer preference for instant access to video content, bypassing the need for physical video tapes and DVDs. The convenience, cost-effectiveness, and instant access of Netflix’s streaming led to a significant decline in business for traditional video tape and DVD rental stores, culminating in Blockbuster filing for bankruptcy just 3 years later in 2010.

Netflix’s steaming model rendered the traditional brick-and-mortar video tape and DVD rental business obsolete by responding to a “sequence of events” including the availability of broadband technologies, streaming and consumer preferences for watching video content directly only their own televisions without the need for buying or rental video tapes or DVDs.

What disrupts a “sequence of events” in business?

Asynchronous interruptions and multiprocessing!

“Asynchronous interruptions” such as telephone calls, e-mails, texts, social medial notifications, etc. can significantly disrupt the processing of a “sequence of events,” particularly in environments that rely on the orderly and timely execution of tasks.

These asynchronous interruptions often lead to you engaging in multiprocessing.

Here are six reasons why these asynchronous interruptions and multiprocessing are so disruptive:

1. Cognitive Load Increase:
   • Asynchronous interruptions add to the cognitive load, requiring your brain to process additional information unexpectedly. This sudden increase in cognitive demands can overwhelm your mental capacity, leading to errors and reduced efficiency in the tasks at hand.
2. Task Switching Costs:
   • When an asynchronous interruption occurs, it forces you to switch context from the current task to the interrupting task. Each switch incurs a “cost” in terms of time and mental energy, which can degrade overall performance. The original task needs to be put on hold, and your cognitive resources are reallocated to assess and respond to the new information.
3. Break in Continuity:
   • Asynchronous interruptions disrupt the flow of events, breaking the continuity of your cognitive and operational processes. This disruption can cause you to lose your place or forget details about the ongoing tasks, requiring additional time to reorient and regain your flow.
4. Increased Error Rate:
   • Asynchronous Interruptions can lead to more mistakes as shifting attention may result in missing critical information or making hurried, less thought-through decisions. The reengagement with the task typically requires you revisiting previous steps, increasing the chances of errors.
5. Memory Overload:
   • Handling interruptions often requires you holding multiple threads of information in your working memory. This can surpass the limited capacity of short-term memory, leading to forgotten or misremembered details.
6. Stress and Fatigue:
   • Frequent interruptions can increase stress and cause you mental fatigue. This not only affects the task performance your working on but can also have long-term impacts on health and well-being.

Each of these factors contributes to why asynchronous interruptions and multi-processing are particularly disruptive in environments where sequences of events are critical.

How can you stay in a flow to properly process a “sequence of events” in your business?

1. Acknowledge

• The first step in dealing with any “sequence of events” in business is to acknowledge that they are occurring.
• Acknowledgment then proceeds with recognizing the “sequence of events” and their potential significance, benefits and risks before beginning any assessment.

2. Assess

• Once the “sequence of events” is acknowledged the next step is to gather all relevant information to assess, evaluate and understand the scope of the “sequence events” in your business.
• One all relevant information is collected, an assessment of the “sequence of events” is created that includes a comprehensive multi-level view of the “sequence of events” over a pre-determined time period.

3. Adapt

• Any “sequence of events” acknowledged and assessed in a business causes the business to change into a mode of operation, adapt new processes and operate in a dynamic environment where the “sequence of events” change rapidly.
• This adaptation and operation also includes making a business aware it is important to limit asynchronous interruptions and multiprocessing when working on “sequence of events” related projects.

Together, these three steps create a foundation for a systematic and effective approach to responding to a “sequence of events” in business.

By acknowledging, accessing and adapting to the reality of the situation, a business can make informed decisions that leverage potential opportunities of “sequence of events” as they occur to make a positive impact in the world.

Out There on the Edge of Everything®…

Stephen Lesavich, PhD

Copyright © 2024, by Stephen Lesavich, PhD.  All rights reserved.

Certified solution-focused life coach and experienced business coach.

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