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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Not Key Success Factors – Key Success Rules

by Rick Baker
On Apr 28, 2011
Spirited Leaders conducts a series of 6 workshops, designed to share our key thoughts about 6 areas where Leadership skill results in ‘big ROI’.
 
The 6 areas are:
  1. Leader’s Values
  2. Leader’s Vision
  3. Ideal Clients
  4. Key Success Rules [formerly, Key Success Factors or Critical Success Factors]
  5. Goals
  6. Performance Measurement
As we revisited our plan for Workshop #4, we decided to replace the words ‘Key Success Factors’ with the words ‘Key Success Rules’.
 
Some might view this as a small change, ie, a slight tweaking of the wording.
 
Others might view this as a major alteration of the thrust and requirements of strategic planning.
 
We understand both viewpoints.
 
Here is why we made the change to ‘Key Success Rules’ it and why this change warrants some attention:
  • The word ‘factor’ is nebulous. The word ‘rule’ is not...or, at least, it is much less nebulous. We do better when we use clear words during the strategic planning process. Clear words lead to better communication. Clear words lead to more interest in communication.
  • ‘Rules’ are needed in business. We do not need to mince words about rules. We need to state rules clearly. The sports and games we enjoy so much teach us important lessons about rules. For example, if we can accept and maybe even enjoy the rules of the sports and games we play then we can certainly be comfortable accepting rules when we go to work. Rules set boundaries for fair play. Rules give direction to accurate thinking.
  • In the business planning process, Key Success Rules [formerly called Key Success Factors] connect strategy to action. Here, we mean the Leader’s Vision, Values, and most-desired Clients are the main pieces of strategic thought. Something is required to serve as the bridge from those strategic thoughts to the actions needed to bring about the desired outcomes/results. Key Success Rules are that bridge.
Summing this up…
 
When we view Key Success Rules as the bridge between strategic thought and practical action we construct a clear connection. Key action-tests are clear. And the planning process is a quicker and more-enjoyable experience. In addition, Key Success Rules promote accurate thinking about the important operational details to follow.

Tags:

INSPIRE PEOPLE - GROW PROFITS! | Master Rules | Spirited Leaders | Values: Personal Values

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Sales Tweet #204

by Rick Baker
On Apr 28, 2011
Sales Tweet #204 When The Boss saw Ernest Seller's shirt untucked he asked if the aliens forgot to redress him.
 
The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet
Yes - The Boss is quite a character. In a recent meeting of his sales team he said "Next year's number one goal is to remove the deadwood in my department"…Half of the sales team left the meeting thinking The Boss had announced his early retirement…Ernest didn’t know what to make of it....Ernest made a mental note to follow up with The Boss at the next meeting.

Tags:

Ernest Seller | Thought Tweets

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Personal Values: your little Panel of Judges

by Rick Baker
On Apr 27, 2011
Your personal values act like a little panel of judges.
 
This little panel of judges renders judgements with lightning speed.
 
This little panel of judges can render judgements with lightning speed because the judges do not have to think.
 
Many of the judgements are not just lightning-fast but also clear and simple:
  • This is RIGHT
  • That is WRONG
  • This is GOOD
  • That is BAD
These types of clear and simple judgements are your moral compass. They happen when all your judges are in agreement, when the vote is unanimous.
 
There are other types of clear and simple judgments. Your little panel of judges often deliver these sorts of judgments in reaction to other people. Every judge on the panel tends to be biased in your favour. After all, they are your panel of judges.
 
If you are like most people then your panel of judges can be very harsh when confronted with the actions of other people.
 
If you are like most people then your panel of judges rarely miss the opportunity to render judgement on other people…after all, they are there to protect your interest…and they are vigilant.
 
Sometimes your panel of judges cannot reach a unanimous judgment.
 
I mean, sometimes judges are in conflict with one another.
 
For example, one of your judges works to ensure you take care of your physical health. Meanwhile, another of your judges works to ensure you take care of your financial wealth. Sometimes these two interests compete.
 
Yes - from time to time, your judges are conflicted.
 
When they are conflicted they let you know.
 
And, you begin to think…and maybe you begin to worry…and to overcome that worry maybe you begin to use your logic skills to take over where your little panel of judges left off.
 
More about the little panel of judges in future Thought Posts…

Tags:

Master Rules | Values: Personal Values

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Problems still confound the motivational experts

by Rick Baker
On Apr 26, 2011
I recently listened to a well-known and respected motivational speaker.
 
I was surprised to hear him say we must not use the word ‘Problem’.
 
He advised, instead of saying ‘Problem’ we should say ‘Challenge’.
 
For at least 2 good reasons, I think this is bad advice:
  1. The word ‘Problem’ is not the problem with problems. The problem with problems is the reaction we have when they visit us. Motivational speakers, including the one I just listened to, know this. They make it clear we must adjust our reaction to problems…which many of them prefer to call – challenges. And, they give advice on how we can adjust our reactions. Regardless, many of them say the use of the word ‘Problem’ is a part of the problem with problems. If their thinking is accurate and the use of the word ‘Problem’ contributes to the problem of problems then…soon…after we all are accustomed to using the word ‘Challenge’ in place of the ‘P-word’…soon…the word ‘Challenge’ will become part of the challenge of challenges. We will have gone through a full word circle to get to the same place we are now.
     
    At the risk of flogging a dead horse: the word ‘Problem’ has evolved from the Greek word ‘problema’… "a problem, a question"…literally "a thing put forward". So, a word that started as a thing put forward has become such a problem of a word we need to change it to challenge. If we do this then sooner or later we will also end up having to change the word challenge… some new word.
     
  2. I do not believe we can trick the subconscious mind into believing those things called Problems somehow are eased by changing their names to Challenges. Maybe, they would be eased over generations…but, that wouldn’t solve this matter because #1 [above] would happen at a similar pace.
Conclusions:
  1. We will always have Problems. And, we will always have a word for them…that word might as well be ‘Problems’. At least, we are used to that word.
     
  2. We will always do better if we learn how to adjust our reaction to Problems. That takes time and thought and effort. Tools help.
     
    That’s why we created the P=2S+O© tool.
     
    For every Problem you can come up with at least 2 Solutions and, from time to time, you will uncover Opportunities.
     
    A link to P=2S+O.
Footnote:
 
“Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them.” Albert Einstein

Tags:

Change: Creating Positive Change | Hero Worship | Solutions & Opportunities

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Sales Tweet #202

by Rick Baker
On Apr 26, 2011
Sales Tweet #202 The Boss to Ernest Seller: I know you are nobody's fool, but maybe someone will adopt you one day.
 
The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet
Yes - The Boss is quite a character. Here's an example. When he is on a crowded elevator he makes a production of opening his briefcase just a crack and saying, "Got enough air in there?"

Tags:

Ernest Seller | Thought Tweets

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Sales Tweet #201

by Rick Baker
On Apr 25, 2011
Sales Tweet #201 Ernest Seller wonders if computers will ever laugh at The Boss's jokes.
 
The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet
The Boss is quite a character. He knows a sense of humour can help people overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with unexpected problems, and smile through the unbearable. That's why he uses his sense of humour whenever Ernest is around.

Tags:

Ernest Seller | Thought Tweets

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