Many people assess how hard they work by referring to the number of hours they work. Working the maximum number of hours or being the first into the office and the last to leave is, for some a macho badge of honour. In reality, in many cases, these are the…
For years supply chains have been getting increasingly complex. An entire industry has grown up around them consisting of supply chain consultants, universities producing masters students and doctorates of supply chain strategy and more supply chain theories from business schools than you can shake a stick at. This is probably…
Norman Peale wrote a very influential self help book with the title “The Power Of Positive Thinking” and it is certainly worth a read but positive thinking is nothing without the power of positive action. Remember when you were taking exams. How many people spent hours diligently preparing the revision…
Assuming that you are signed up to the idea of becoming more effective then how do you go about it? Here are five steps to becoming effective. STEP ONE – SET THE GOAL / OBJECTIVE Without this you are lost. You need to very carefully consider what is your ultimate…
It is vitally important that we allow people and projects to fail, it is the only way forward, but here’s why rewards for failure don’t help anyone. There is a big difference between reward and encouragement. If someone has improved or is trying hard then they should be encouraged. Personally…
I have no interest in football except that it got me thinking the other day – why do people go to football matches and what can it teach us about effectiveness? I realised the answer is a great example of why effective and efficient are not the same thing. For…
It is always said that it is far easier and cheaper to keep and look after an existing customer than try to get new ones and this is certainly true in most cases. Many businesses pride themselves on the amount of repeat business they get, but how loyal are your…
The problem with so many people is that despite their best intentions that tomorrow will be different to today when the clock ticks over to the next day all the old problems and time consuming issues reappear and tomorrow ends up looking very much like today. So, how to make…
If you study Lean Six Sigma techniques then it is made very clear that the Voice Of The Customer is all important. Common sense dictates that it is always a good idea to listen to our customers or clients but this should not always be our first port of call.…
I have been involved with many organisations who have boasted about “pulling and all nighter” In other words working all night to complete something. I have to admit that when I was young and stupid I also believed this con job and worked several all nighters to get something finished…