March 11, 2010 – 2:21 pm |
In today’s information rich world, where you can find out absolutely anything at the touch of a button and be communicating simultaneously to three different people (or in practice, many more), business needs to find a simpler way of connecting with their staff and customers. So this year we are becoming the champion for keeping things simple. We’d love to hear your stories and experiences where you have been able to make a difference in this way or where you have observed or experienced the absurdities of overly complex procedures or job’s worth attitudes to getting things done.
We are still in the grips of an incredibly tough trading climate yet one of the positive things to come out of these times is our focus to challenge existing practices and explore better, more cost effective and simpler ways of working. Please share your stories with us and others so that we can all make the difference that will help us steer a stronger, more sustainable course in the future.
February 3, 2010 – 11:50 am |
I love watching Phineas and Ferb with my children (secretly I also watch it with my husband too but don’t tell anyone!) http://bit.ly/dpNPs4 It’s simply the best thing around about two boys who invent things, incredible things. Meanwhile, their pet Platypus, Perry, is really a Secret Agent who is busy stopping the evil Dr Doofenschmurtz creating havoc. It’s fun, innovative and every single episode makes you go wow. Their principle of life is the avoidance of boredom and in doing so ensure that others have a great time too.
So what can we learn from this programme (did I say you simply must watch it). Two things:
- Lessons from Perry – Dr Doofenschmurtz is so obsessed with showing off to his nemesis Agent P (Perry) that he never manages to fulfil his evil intentions. How much time, money, and resource do you and/or your organisation spend looking at your competition and trying to outdo them? What could you more fruitfully achieve if you spent that time creatively asking and listening to your customers instead? I hear the constant obsession by some organisations with enticing customers from competitors through early deals and seductive promises that we forget the thousands/ millions of customers with whom we already have a relationship. Research shows that businesses are doing everything in their power to make it as easy as possible to switch but are they deploying the same amount of resources on helping customers to stay? Which leads me nicely to the second learning from Phineas and Ferb
- Each day they invent the impossible. Each episode starts with “Hey Ferb, I know what we are going to do today!” With conviction, passion and enthusiasm their inventiveness has rubbed off on the most unusual bunch of children who gather to help. If you started each day with that same mantra with the same energy and conviction, what new ideas do you think you and your team could have to help your customers stay. Often the boys create inventions to thrill their friends and has nothing to do with their own motives. They get their kicks simply by helping or creating something for others. So why not spend the next week just talking to your customers, delving a little deeper and showing that you really care. Ask your staff too also. You never know what you mind find out to help them stay loyal to you.
January 29, 2010 – 12:41 pm |
A new year often drives a period of reflection. This can be more prevalent when times are tough. There are many opinions about the whys and hows of our current economic situation. This debate has focused my attention on my decision making, especially those decisions about money and how I spend and save.
If we reflect on the conversations about Bankers, their part in the recession and indeed in its recovery, what can we learn as managers and family members about decision making and how we can make the most robust and proactive decisions possible.
Here are just a few things I have been thinking about:
- Go with your gut feel if you sense something is going to happen, take action immediately – read Malcolm Gladwell’s book ‘Blink’. This will help you understand more about how and why intuition is an important part of the decision making process. You can get this on Amazon and also look at the reviews here http://bit.ly/cErAVb
- Plan for tomorrow and not just today and remember to add a contingency
- Remember for those of you who are managers, that even though we are clawing our way out of the recession, your staff may still be anxious – communicate widely about any changes that are taking place in the company and help them see how they are valuable to you and the organisation
- Members of your team may have been deeply effected by the recession – perhaps a partner or family member has lost a job, perhaps their level of debt is too high and perhaps they are begin chased by creditors. You need them to focus whilst at work so do whatever is in your power to help them. The first step is to notice subtle changes in their attitude, energy and focus and to ask gentle questions to determine if this is a problem for them
- Rather than focusing on stopping using post its and closing down spend start asking a new set of questions that help the business to thrive. E.g. “how can I get £5 value out of every £1 I spend?”
And for you personally, some additional thoughts:
- Budget, budget, budget! Go to www.moneysavingexpert.com great savings and templates
- When you buy things go for quality goods that will last. Buy the best that you can, it’s likely to last longer
- Save first for what you want rather than buy on credit that may be difficult to pay back later. If you still want it after you have saved for it, it is likely you will enjoy it more and certainly appreciate its value more
- When buying presents for close family or friends who are under 18 always give a cheque it’s a double whammy they can’t spend it immediately and it encourages them to think about saving. (they might think you are boring but trust me when they are older they will thank you)
- Always ask for a discount. I negotiated a 40% discount on an item I really wanted recently. Another item I got a 25% discount. All because I asked. Don’t be afraid to ask – you have nothing to lose
