This spring, I've enjoyed watching Val, my intern, lawn mower and granddaughter, run. She is a cross country runner and does spring track to stay in shape by doing the 800, the mile and two mile. Yes, as a freshman she earned her varsity letter! Yeah! Val.
One event that always gives me pause is the 4X400 relay that involves teams of four runners and a baton that must be passed in a 20 meter box or the team will be disqualified. Oh yes, you can't drop the baton AND it is passed three times during the relay. This really adds a level of coordination that challenges many runners. It is a process that has very clear desired outcomes for each runner.
Like a business process, the 4x400 is clearly defined in execution and has the critical step of passing the baton. A dropped baton has only two people that could be responsible. In any business, when a process goes astray the manager will be wise to manage the process first before placing blame.
Tips to help you manage relays:
• Make sure everyone knows the goal. To win is too big of a goal. If more than one team is involved, each team should have a process goal that is tied to a key goal. Usually runners will have individual goals for leg of the run.
• Provide easy access to effectiveness. If the team needs to know the cost or time of a process, this needs to be available in a time that makes sense. On the track, watch the runners time themselves and compare to the time keepers.
• Make sure outcomes are recognized - the good, the bad and the ugly.
• Avoid "Them" syndrome. Blaming someone for a defect or error may sometimes be in order but more often than not the process may be lacking. Before you train them, coach them, transfer them, or replace them, make sure they were the problem.
If you want to read more about business processes, Geary A Rummler has written several books on the subject that are considered key to understanding business processes and some are available on Kindle, too. Geary A. Rummler on Improving Performance
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Knowing-Doing and Procrastination
Knowing-Doing Gap
Smart companies, big and small, sometimes struggle using knowledge in everyday work. A small service tech company I worked with had paid for a complete software application to track their inventory and vehicle maintenance schedule. The software was $12,000 and came with a one year service plan that was going to expire in 8 weeks. The software, easy to use, did require the drivers of the service vans to report back to the shop what they used on a service run and when the techs should get their van serviced. Consequently, there had been 25 days of vans not being operational and the estimate of getting to the job site without the proper inventory in the van was listed at 200 lost hours of work. So the $12,000 software had an additional cost of:
DO SOMETHING because you can always do something else if the first DOING doesn't get the results you want.
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Five Steps for Overcoming Procrastination
Overcoming procrastination will bring you joy and increase your bottom line. If procrastination in your life leaves you feeling bad about yourself, then it's time to implement a process for overcoming procrastination. Following the five step Conscious Transformation Process will make overcoming procrastination easier for you. The five steps are:
Be gentle with yourself and when you notice self-critical thoughts, stop those in their tracks and don't forget to reward yourself for making progress. Be grateful along the way.
There's no quick fix for overcoming procrastination, but if you follow these five steps, you will notice a slow but sure transformation from procrastination to productivity.
Smart companies, big and small, sometimes struggle using knowledge in everyday work. A small service tech company I worked with had paid for a complete software application to track their inventory and vehicle maintenance schedule. The software was $12,000 and came with a one year service plan that was going to expire in 8 weeks. The software, easy to use, did require the drivers of the service vans to report back to the shop what they used on a service run and when the techs should get their van serviced. Consequently, there had been 25 days of vans not being operational and the estimate of getting to the job site without the proper inventory in the van was listed at 200 lost hours of work. So the $12,000 software had an additional cost of:
Van downtime - $1000 average lost revenue per day $25,000
Driving back to get supply $100/hour lost billing $ 2,000
Someone in this company KNEW that the software could save time, but the process of DOING was never completed. The knowing-Doing Gap is a documented growth factor for successful businesses. According to Jeffry Pffeffer of Harvard, statically, businesses that DO will surpass those that KNOW and fail to implement. In a Lean Culture, we often say:
DO SOMETHING because you can always do something else if the first DOING doesn't get the results you want.
What do you KNOW about your business that you are not DOING? Related articles.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/ 419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Five Steps for Overcoming Procrastination
Overcoming procrastination will bring you joy and increase your bottom line. If procrastination in your life leaves you feeling bad about yourself, then it's time to implement a process for overcoming procrastination. Following the five step Conscious Transformation Process will make overcoming procrastination easier for you. The five steps are:
Announce - analyze your procrastination to gain clarity about why, when and how you procrastinate. Just don't make overcoming procrastination a procrastination technique that keeps you from doing important work! Download the Transformations Breakthrough Process to work through your own process. Once you've analyzed your procrastination patterns, determine how you will BE when procrastination is no longer part of your life. You may want to be productive, energetic, joyful, timely, relaxed, etc. Use this free tool Contrast Brings Clearness to help you gain clarity about your state of being as a non-procrastinator.
Align - adopt techniques that help you get back into balance when you notice that you are procrastinating. For example, you might use affirmations, visualization or journaling to return to the state of being you identified in the Announce step.
Act - create a plan of action based upon inspiration, incorporating activities that resonate with you. Some example actions that help with overcoming procrastination include:
- Start each day with a plan and goals. Decide one thing that you are going to do to be productive that day and be specific. For example, make 10 calls to set up one-on-one sales appointments between 9 am and 10 am.
- Create a productive environment. Go someplace where you aren't distracted, turn off your Internet, or close your office door. Do whatever makes sense for you so that you can be productive.
- Set a time limit. If you are working on a large project, decide to just work for one or two hours each day until the project is completed. Or maybe you just need 15 minutes a day. Choose the amount of time that seems right for you to complete your project on time.
Allow - in order to succeed in overcoming procrastination, you must believe in yourself, detach from the outcome and be grateful throughout the process.
Be gentle with yourself and when you notice self-critical thoughts, stop those in their tracks and don't forget to reward yourself for making progress. Be grateful along the way.
There's no quick fix for overcoming procrastination, but if you follow these five steps, you will notice a slow but sure transformation from procrastination to productivity.
Copyright 2011 About the author. Pat Altvater partners with solo entrepreneurs to implement a sales and marketing process and plan that brings them joy and increases their bottom line. She is the author of Choose Success - Ignite the Power Within and President of Transformations Institute. Learn more about perfectionism and procrastination at her blog Patti Perfect's Perfectionism Blog http://pattiperfectsperfectionismblog.com/ and her Facebook fan page Patti Perfect Says http://www.facebook.com/pattiperfectsays.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Budgeting is Alive and Well
It's Alive, It's Alive
Budgeting is alive and it is everywhere from federal spending all the way down to the cities we live in and organizations we work with on a daily basis. Although budget is not a four letter word, it is often treated that way.
A budget goes hand and hand with a business plan. The plan's goals (metircs) usually come from our projections. The budget is created from those projections. To start a budget, gather together the business plan, projections and key metrics. We will keep these points in mind as we set forth to budget.
Keep it Simple. Don't over complicate things, it is a estimate of where we want to be at the end of a given period.
Review and Consult. Review the history and consult with others - your business partner; key staff members; trusted advisors. Getting another set of eyes on the budget will help our staff buy into the budget.
Keep it Real. Be realistic about profit, expenses, sales and asset use. Being honest with ourselves about what is likely will be key - NOT what we really would like.
Be Thorough. Include all necessary information -- fixed costs, direct costs and overhead. Don't forget to budget owner compensation, marketing and any interest changes that may affect the bottom line.
Be Flexible. Since the budget is based on historical data and best guesses of the future, realize that unknowns can happen. Budgets will need to be adjusted when markets and economies dramatically change. Otherwise, use it is a guidepost to help reach the goals.
A live, working budget will help a business stay on plan and on target for the future vision.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Leadership - The Short Course
There are a plethora of books on leadership and how to succeed in life. However, in my opinion there is a very simple formula that, if followed, will enable you to succeed at whatever it is you are called to do. Here is my list (no book required).
1 - Be nice to people.
2 - Do what you say and say what you do.
3 - Celebrate mistakes and learn from them.
4 - Be humble when you succeed.
5 - Repeat steps 1 through 4.
Copyright 2011 Ron Pereira
http://lssacademy.com/BETA/about/
Budgeting is alive and it is everywhere from federal spending all the way down to the cities we live in and organizations we work with on a daily basis. Although budget is not a four letter word, it is often treated that way.
A budget goes hand and hand with a business plan. The plan's goals (metircs) usually come from our projections. The budget is created from those projections. To start a budget, gather together the business plan, projections and key metrics. We will keep these points in mind as we set forth to budget.
Keep it Simple. Don't over complicate things, it is a estimate of where we want to be at the end of a given period.
Review and Consult. Review the history and consult with others - your business partner; key staff members; trusted advisors. Getting another set of eyes on the budget will help our staff buy into the budget.
Keep it Real. Be realistic about profit, expenses, sales and asset use. Being honest with ourselves about what is likely will be key - NOT what we really would like.
Be Thorough. Include all necessary information -- fixed costs, direct costs and overhead. Don't forget to budget owner compensation, marketing and any interest changes that may affect the bottom line.
Be Flexible. Since the budget is based on historical data and best guesses of the future, realize that unknowns can happen. Budgets will need to be adjusted when markets and economies dramatically change. Otherwise, use it is a guidepost to help reach the goals.
A live, working budget will help a business stay on plan and on target for the future vision.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Leadership - The Short Course
There are a plethora of books on leadership and how to succeed in life. However, in my opinion there is a very simple formula that, if followed, will enable you to succeed at whatever it is you are called to do. Here is my list (no book required).
1 - Be nice to people.
2 - Do what you say and say what you do.
3 - Celebrate mistakes and learn from them.
4 - Be humble when you succeed.
5 - Repeat steps 1 through 4.
Copyright 2011 Ron Pereira
http://lssacademy.com/BETA/about/
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Manage What You Mean
Manage What You Mean
We have all heard a manager joke to employees saying "Do what I say, not what I do". Managing by modeling the behavior we need is often the first step in Great Leadership.
Business Owners know "if you don't have the time to practice what you preach, you don't believe IT yourself!" Having your business and personal core values aligned is a first step to greatness. Take time this week to identify those values you will never leave home without and watch your business grow.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
2. Get very clear on the traits of your perfect client/customer so that you begin attracting customers that are a great match for you. Here's what you can do. Download my FREE Contrast Brings Clearness worksheet (http://www.salescoachforwomenentrepreneurs.com/freetools.html) and make a list first in the bottom section of the worksheet of all the traits that you don't want your clients to have. Then using the top of the form, reframe those to the traits that you do want your ideal client to possess. Once you get on a roll, write more and more traits that you can think of so you begin attracting customers that are perfect for you.
3. Once you have listed everything you can think of, tear off the bottom section, and then review the upper half of the list daily. When you review it, see yourself attracting customers easily. Fill your heart with love and appreciation for those perfect clients and then let that feeling spread throughout your entire being. Visualize yourself providing your service or products to help them solve their problems or meet their goals, and
4. Stay positive and optimistic throughout your day.
Partnering with women entrepreneurs to implement a sales process that brings them joy and increases their bottom line.
We have all heard a manager joke to employees saying "Do what I say, not what I do". Managing by modeling the behavior we need is often the first step in Great Leadership.
- If we want our employees and peers to be on time, we need to be on time ourselves.
- If we want our neighborhood litter free, we know not to litter and keep our area free of litter.
- If we want our customers to respect us, we will have responsive customer service.
- If we want to be profitable, we will manage our expenses and margins.
- If we want to grow our businesses, we will to manage our assets and liabilities.
Business Owners know "if you don't have the time to practice what you preach, you don't believe IT yourself!" Having your business and personal core values aligned is a first step to greatness. Take time this week to identify those values you will never leave home without and watch your business grow.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Attracting Customers Made Easy!
One of the biggest mistakes, probably the biggest mistake, people make in any business is that they fall in love with the wrong things. They fall in love with their product, service, or company. You should believe passionately in your product, service or company. But you should fall in love with your clients.' Jay Abraham, Getting All You Can Out of All You've GotCan you think of any marketing technique that is more effective than attracting customers with genuine, sincere concern for them coupled with a true desire to assist them in solving their problems and/or satisfying their goals? I can't!
If you currently could use help attracting customesrs, here are four easy steps for you:
1. Be grateful for the customers you have right now, 2. Get very clear on the traits of your perfect client/customer so that you begin attracting customers that are a great match for you. Here's what you can do. Download my FREE Contrast Brings Clearness worksheet (http://www.salescoachforwomenentrepreneurs.com/freetools.html) and make a list first in the bottom section of the worksheet of all the traits that you don't want your clients to have. Then using the top of the form, reframe those to the traits that you do want your ideal client to possess. Once you get on a roll, write more and more traits that you can think of so you begin attracting customers that are perfect for you.
3. Once you have listed everything you can think of, tear off the bottom section, and then review the upper half of the list daily. When you review it, see yourself attracting customers easily. Fill your heart with love and appreciation for those perfect clients and then let that feeling spread throughout your entire being. Visualize yourself providing your service or products to help them solve their problems or meet their goals, and
4. Stay positive and optimistic throughout your day.
Cultivate that lovin' feeling and your perfect client will feel it and show up at your door! Attracting customers through maintaining the wonderful emotions of love, gratitude and optimism throughout your day will not only attract clients but also will nurture your personal energy so you can enjoy your days, feeling great and operating up to your potential.
Copyright 2011 Pat Altvater
http://www.salescoachforwomanentrepreneurs.com/ Partnering with women entrepreneurs to implement a sales process that brings them joy and increases their bottom line.
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