My daughter loves the ball pit. Smelling its slightly pungent, chemically-charged scent, like a brand-new swim ring, she's reminded of her childhood love of the ball pit on weekends. The cheers of children echo through the athletic booth on weekends, and colorful LEGO shards lie scattered at her feet. She's surprised by the sharp pain in the soles of her feet, but it's somehow nostalgic. The dull pain emanating from the distinctive small squares of LEGO blocks feels like a memory switch, bringing back memories of her childhood, when she was engrossed in building castles.
This story may also be relevant to our work and lives today. "VUCA" is an acronym for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. It seems the term was originally coined by the US military to describe the unstable international situation following the Cold War. In the business context, however, the rapid advances in globalization and digitalization have led to rapid changes in all manner of interconnected phenomena, and the term VUCA has come to be used to describe this phenomenon.
Yesterday's correct answers are no longer valid today. Brands, organizations, and even ourselves slowly age and lose their former luster. On the other hand, a well-established aesthetic sense and a fast-renewing "mass" continue to shine without fading.
Sometimes, we need to take a step back and face the reality created by the past. This can be unpleasant, yet somehow nostalgic, like accidentally stepping on a Lego.
While LEGO is now a shining brand beloved around the world, it was in serious crisis in the early 2000s. Its losses were mounting and the shadow of bankruptcy loomed. The company's focus on expanding its lineup had led it to stray from its roots as a brick, blurring the brand's contours.
