Way More Than Plastics

Do You Know My Time is Valuable?...by Jeff Kaczperski

As business people, we need to be improving our ability to help clients meet their schedules…which are tighter and shorter.  Whether you are in accounting, real estate, manufacturing, or whatever, the precious commodity of time continues to rise in value.   As your customer, help me get there smoother and more efficiently.  I’m overworked and under-resourced.  Make it convenient for me.  Please don’t make me wait in this line or repeat information or listen to your average canned sales pitch.  I’m nice and I understand, but I’m ready to buy from someone else the minute they offer a way for me to save time. And if you can't do that, your only opportunity with me is to create a positive memorable experience.  Not easy but reality.

 

R.I.P. Kindle?...by Chris Buch

I like the thinking that's being put into play here.  Markets change, shift, flip-flop, extinguish, or appear with little or no warning at times - typically out of our control.  Even when there is warning, as was the case with Kindle and iPad, it's still often difficult to figure out how to stay relevant in the marketplace.  During the recent "Big 3" downturn here in Detroit, I was amazed at how many business owners just kind of shrugged their shoulders and disappeared.  They couldn't find a way to make themselves relevant in the "new" market dynamics they were facing. 

At Omega, we spend a full day or two each quarter in strategic planning efforts for our business.  One of the topics we always spend time on is a discussion on what's happening outside of our four walls that could significantly change our business - positively or negatively.  We aren't perfect, and our hindsight is always 20/20 (just like everybody else's), but engaging in this process has helped us strengthen our position in the market.  We aren't surprised when shifts occur.  We aren't afraid to face change as it happens because we've likely already addressed it and put some creative thought around it. 

The Kindle will be relegated to the scrap heap of technology past unless they change in creative ways to stay relevant.  We'll see.  

"Unreality"...by Jeff Kaczperski

Over the weekend, I found myself lecturing my kids on the "unreality" of TV and much of the entertainment industry; after all, a great portion of that work would cease to entertain if it was based on reality.  This link is a simple example of what I'm talking about. 

 

Well, during this same weekend, I played Texas Hold'em (free electronic version...I work too hard to lose real money so fast) and learned the power of the bluff.  Like in entertainment, you're left to figure out what is real and what isn't.  Jim Collins book "Good to Great" explains that great companies have the ability to face the brutal facts of reality...to not buy in to the distortion or the bluff.  Think of how much unreality we accept in our work day.... "we are unique so that won't work for us" or "we know what the client wants because we've worked with them for years" or "that key process is working perfectly".  One of the best tools I've come across to find reality is the routine auditing of activities that are important to you and your team.  The purpose of the audit is to find reality; it is not to complete some quality checklist!  Pick something that is important to your business and go expose unreality.  Get through the information filters.  Resist the urge to play along.  Dig in, find out, see it clearly. Plans and decisions made off the brutal facts of reality are better for you, your customer, and your team.

Just Stop Already...by Jeff Kaczperski

I’m convinced one of the most important lists is the “stop doing” list.  It can be surprisingly hard to stop unproductive activities due to habit and preference…. ”But I really like that spreadsheet” (though it hasn’t been used in any important decision making)…..”But I always call my customers on Friday to see how they are” (well, one customer likes it and the rest really have no value for it).    It’s kind of like our legal system….Congress keeps making laws but rarely are any taken away.  Think of that one task/meeting/report that you know is useless….now stop doing it (or appropriately challenge your boss to be “free” of it)…it will feel great.

Why should I change?...by Chris Buch

We hear a lot about "change" these days.  The changing marketplace.  Changing the way we do business.  Embracing change.  Change is good.  Change is bad.  There are many differing perspectives on the concept of change. 

One thing that seems universal, however, is that change is difficult for almost everyone.  Most of us are creatures of habit.  Most of us take solace in those things that are constant in our lives.  It's nice to be comfortable. 

For any change that takes us out of our established comfort zone, there is typically a good reason to do so.  Sometimes change comes from necessity due to changing conditions.  Sometimes we change to increase our comfort for the long term.  We might change because we see a deficiency that needs correcting.  There are all types of reasons to implement change - rarely do we change just for the sake of change. 

In business, the strongest companies are able to change and adapt to an ever-changing world.  The very best seem to do it on a moment's notice and "turn-on-a-dime" when the market demands it.  I would be willing to bet that these companies are able to do so because they've not only defined what change needs to take place; they've also clearly communicated the reason for the change with the people that make it happen.  People can change and adapt, but they need a good reason to embrace it.  Absent that, change will come eventually, but not at the pace that's necessary to stay ahead of market drivers.

Give your people the "why" behind the "what" when it comes to needed change.  You might be surprised at how quickly it can happen.