What do you desire?

If you don't start asking yourself this question today, will you ever?

Fixing "That Thing"

One of the largest problems in business is largely avoidable. 

It's caused by the friction of competing priorities and employees managing the risk of their businesses and the risk of their own careers. Opting to take the safe path limits their business to mediocrity, and they think ensures safety for their own careers (while generating mediocrity there as well).

At the end of the day you end up with a very mediocre business, filled with very mediocre people that feel secure.

Everyone can agree there's a better way to do things.

That process that's broken. That product that doesn't live up to anyone's expectations. That problem around employee retention. That other thing that everyone knows could be better.

It's easy to point to something and understand that things could be better.  It's much harder to actually make something better.

No one wants to give anything up.

It's so hard to actually make things work better because no one wants to give anything up. Those broken processes, which we all know are broken, are still processes and creating new ones is hard.

"What if the new and improved 'thing' isn't better after all? Someone will be upset, and they'll point the finger at me." 

So, often what we end up with is something that is less risky in the meantime, doesn't advance the business' goals, and keeps people 'tucked into the corners' in companies longer than is beneficial.

How to make a positive change.

1. Get data on things that don't work properly. How much time is spent? How much money is lost? What is the opportunity cost to continuing on the current path?

2. Propose new solutions. Consult with peers that also understand the risk of under-performance, subject matter experts, managers, and front-line employees.

3. Get/project data on new solutions. Having some forecasts/metrics up front about new solutions that you're proposing make people feel better about a change.

4. Get used to being measured and held accountable. It's likely that things are broken, because no one was actually held accountable in a meaningful way. Volunteering to be responsible will only put you in a positive light.

5. Evangelize success or progress. Offering updates on the new 'thing' will show that you're invested and have fully taken responsibility for effecting change.

Avoiding risk and the danger of CYA

Seth Godin recently wrote a blog post entitled "A hierarchy of business to business needs" - it struck me immediately as completely true and I printed it out and stuck it to my cork board. If you'll notice, the list is in order of primary needs on down. 'Avoiding Risk' - is number one, 'Making a profit' is last. Frightening stuff.

Lets say, that this is true for only 50% of businesses (but, I think you'll agree that number is probably larger) this means that half of all people going to work everyday are first and foremost looking to minimize their risk - both of their organization and personal. Not make a better product. Not listen to customers. Not make a better work environment for their employees. But instead, minimizing risk.

This is just dripping with CYA. And, when you're busy covering your ass, and avoiding risk, you're missing opportunities.

Instead of finding something, you're avoiding something.

What demotivates workers?

Absolutely great video from Big Think on what really demotivates great people...try to watch this and not agree with every point made in the video - impossible.

Hype
A failure to acknowledge the real difficulties the organization faces.
Futurism
Always “pointing down the road” at distant goals and not at the tangible results of employees’ recent efforts. 
False democracy
Inviting people’s input when you’ve already made up your mind. 

...Because It's True

This popular video from BigThink really made me rethink how time is (mis)spent at the office.

I've been following the 37signals gang for a few years and they're ideas are cutting edge. Actually, they're not - but the back to basics approach they take to business seems so innovative because no one operates that way anymore.  Just watch the video and see if you don't agree with virtually everything in it.


This got me thinking.  A few weeks ago I was headed on vacation, after I wrapped up some loose ends at the office that is.  During that day - I got much more done than normal.  Why?  I didn't have tomorrow as an excuse. When you have tomorrow, next week, or an unlimited amount of time - its almost impossible to get through things.


There is simply not enough urgency.  If you worked just four days a week as if you would be out of the office the following day just think about how much you could get accomplished.  I mean if you really dedicated your time and didn't allow distractions to infest your day - your productivity (and the people around you) would be exponentially greater.


Work as if your vacation depends on it!