What do I mean when I say, “we want our SMS to be more like a diesel engine than a bottle rocket“? It is a simple analogy that almost anyone can relate to.
A bottle rocket may be easy to launch, but it is FAST, UNCONTROLLABLE, and in the end, it COMES APART soon after launch. It may generate many “Ohs and Ahs” in its SHORT LIFE, but is this what we want in our SMS?
A diesel engine may be harder to get going and will undoubtedly require more maintenance, but it is known for its POWER and ability to RUN a LONGTIME without failing. We can ALSO CONTROL the engine! Does this sound more like an SMS we would want?
So when talking about developing, implementing, and managing safety via an SMS, frame up the discussion as if we want a diesel engine and not a bottle rocket. We want SUSTAINABILITY, not a moment to Oh and Ah about!
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