Fix, Offer, Change, Improve, Focus on What

I’m doing a program next week on “Embracing Change.” One of my slides asks: Fix What - Offer What - Change What - Improve What - Focus on What? For many companies defining the “WHAT” is a big problem. I have always believed EVERYTHING … decisions, products, services, policies and procedures revolve around the customer. Years ago, I made the statement, “The day we forget we are in business for the customer, is the day we start going out of business.” I believe that statement as strongly today as I did then.

Why Ask … if You’re Not Going to Listen

American television and radio host, Larry King, once stated: "I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So, if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening." The problem I see with most people in management these days, is they have forgotten how to listen. It’s as if, now that they have power over people, they’ve decided there is only one way to do things, THEIR WAY. Yes, there is only one way to do things, the RIGHT WAY … and the only way to find that way…is to listen to the people who are involved in doing it every day.

Consequences

Is it easier to make a decision when you are spending other people’s money? Absolutely! You have nothing at risk. Would you have made that decision if you were putting your own money at risk? Our decisions have a great deal to do with how they affect us personally.

The Sophistication of Simplicity

Successful companies today are doing everything they can to simplify operations. Complicated policies, procedures, rules and regulations are being simplified, replaced or deleted. Subtraction is the exercise of genius … addition is the exercise of fools. Let me say that a different way: Simplifying is the exercise of genius… Complicating is the exercise of fools. So, SIMPLIFY your operations and your life every chance you get.

Corporate Decision Process

The great news is my wife’s emergency surgery was a success and she is on the mend. Taking care of her while she was recuperating was not an issue. That is just what you do … BUT … taking over “ALL” the things she does for the family, well that was a different matter. I needed to become Annie, and I had no idea what that entailed. Every time I turned around, there was something else that needed to be done or some errand that needed to be run.

Losing Over One Day Out of Every Work Week

Interruptions are one of the biggest sufferings in the workplace. They cause disruptions and unnecessary delays during working hours. A recent study shows an average of 28% of productivity is lost due to interruptions. That adds up extra 2.25 hours of work out of an eight-hour workday is lost!