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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Thought Tweet #891

by Rick Baker
On Dec 16, 2013

Thought Tweet #891 The greatest of leaders change themselves. They mould their character to remove the bad habits that prevent leadership.


The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Sometimes they replace combative attitudes with kind attitudes. Sometimes they toughen up their softness. Either way they mould their character to remove the bad habits that prevent leadership.

 

Tags:

Leaders' Thoughts | Thought Tweets

Demystify Business Process - Inspire People - Grow Profits

by Rick Baker
On Dec 16, 2013

Business Contains only 3 Things: People, Process, & Situations

 

And there are only 3 types of business processes: Simple, Complicated, & Complex.

Here's a good way to visualize the 3 types...

When you boil things down, each business process contains a sequence of tasks...

Some argue this way of looking at Processes is too simplistic. They argue that their business lives are over-full of intertwined 'things'...they say things like, "Sure there are tasks but there are also lots of other things that cannot be expressed in simple words like 'Tasks'." The fact is, that just isn't true. When people argue against the simplicity of the above pictures, for example, they are expressing sounds and words in sequences known as sentences.

We can define syllables as verbal steps or tasks which combine in sequences to create words which, in turn, combine in sequences to create sentences which, in turn, combine in sequences to create paragraphs which, in turn, combine in sequences to create arguments which, in turn, combine in sequences with other things to complete a communication process.

Similarly, all physical activity is comprised of sequences of small steps which we can call Tasks.

Think about everything you do...is it not true that when you take the time to think about it, everything can be broken down into steps [which can be thought of as Tasks].

You might ask, "What' the point?"

You might ask, "What's In It For ME?"

You might ask, "WHY should I spend a bit of time getting comfortable with simple straightforward thoughts & pictures around Business Tasks and Business Processes?"

Here's WHY

When you look at Business Actions as sequences of Tasks you demystify Business Processes.

And that's a good thing. With the help of simple 'models' you will reduce frustration levels at your business. You will improve communication at your business. You will expand your people's ability to Take Talent to Task.

You will inspire your people. You will influence their action in clear, forward directions. You will grow profits.

So -

Demystify discussion of tasks & processes and energize performance & profits.

 

PS: About the difference between SIMPLE, COMPLICATED, & COMPLEX processes.

As the saying goes...

  • When you follow a cake-box recipe and bake a cake - that's a SIMPLE process.
  • When NASA sends a man to walk on the moon and returns him safely to Earth - that's a COMPLICATED process.
  • And raising children - well, that's a COMPLEX process.

Tags:

Definitions - Spirited Words Defined

Thought Tweet #890

by Rick Baker
On Dec 13, 2013

Thought Tweet #890 Bad behaviour drains us. Interpersonal dysfunction eats up positive energy. [So, put a stop to it.]


The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Dysfunctional interactions de-energize. They wound spirit, sometimes fatally. 

We have choices. We can choose to participate in bad behaviour. We can choose to not participate in bad behaviour. We can choose to stand by and watch others participate in bad behaviour. We can choose to step up and help others not participate in bad behaviour.


Tags:

Attitude: Creating Positive Attitude | Change: Creating Positive Change | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #889

by Rick Baker
On Dec 12, 2013

Thought Tweet #889 When you are beating your head against an unbudging brick wall, don't make your next decision another bad one.


The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Common sense sends strong suggestions to direct our thoughts. We just need to allow them to sink in and register. 

Tags:

Delegation & Decisions | Thought Tweets

It is time to take Future Shock more seriously

by Rick Baker
On Dec 11, 2013

There are lots of problematic people issues out there. Many people are struggling with anxiety. Many people are struggling with depression. Many people are struggling with respiratory issues and allergies. Many people are struggling with stress and a range of other maladies.

In reaction to these maladies, we have many new government rules... accessibility rules, scent-free rules, non-smoking rules, and a range of rules covering food preparation and food services. And, in reaction to these maladies we have much advertising...cold remedies, flu shots, breakfast cereal vitamins... and medicines to ease or cure everything from shingles & COPD to hair loss & erectile dysfunction. You know all these things and more; you watch TV.

"Future shock is the shattering stress and disorientation that we induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time."

"Man has a limited biological capacity for change. When this capacity is overwhelmed, the capacity is in future shock."

Alvin Toffler

'Future Shock', (1970)

Clearly, many people are struggling with varieties of physical-health and mental-health problems.

And there is a great deal of activity aimed at helping people with their problems. In addition to government rules and the media, 'wellness' products and services are being introduced into business environments. Much time, effort, ad money is being spent to address the maladies experienced by business people.

About people maladies in the small-business sector…

For the most part, the small-business sector is being tolerant, silent, perhaps confused, and perhaps with blinders on. In the tolerant & silent small-business sector, maladies consume vast quantities of energy and create a broad-and-deep range of interpersonal dysfunction and sunk personnel expenses.

In summary:

Technologies have changed exponentially.

People have not.

People have taken on then fed on maladies.

What’s missing in the small-business sector?

The missing ingredient is common sense…simple common-sense thinking and simple common-sense action. The missing thinking & action awaits accurate perceptions and simple/straightforward plans.

And, the missing thinking & action begins with self. 

Consider your maladies.

Don't embrace them. Cut them down to size.

Throw away the thought that you are too busy...know - You DO have time! Time is yours now...this instant.

You DO have time! You have time this very moment to begin to adjust your thinking. You have time this very instant to avoid the sweeping wave of 'Future Shock' that, apparently, is catching so many others.

Recognize 'Future Shock' is an avoidable and treatable malady. It feeds on "I am too busy" and "I do not have time". It feeds on tolerance of woes, misery loving company, & tolerance-avoidance of unacceptable symptoms. It feeds on laziness. It feeds on bad news. It feeds on negative media. It feeds on TV prescriptions. It feeds on mind-numbing 'Reality Shows'. It feeds on the ignorance of other people.

And, most dangerous of all, it feeds on ignorance of self.

Immunize yourself!

 

***

"The illiterate of the future will not be the person who cannot read. It will be the person who does not know how to learn."

Alvin Toffler

***

 

PS: This 'Future Shock' is so vile and pernicious it is even squeezing the joy out of NFL football. 

Thought Tweet #888

by Rick Baker
On Dec 11, 2013

Thought Tweet #888 Dysfunctional behaviour is an example of leadership. (It's the type of leadership you don't want.)

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Don't be fooled.

Everything people do has leadership potential.

Even the most dysfunctional behaviour can induce followers...to follow, to mirror...to expand dysfunction.

So, nip dysfunction in the bud.

Tags:

Leaders' Thoughts | Thought Tweets

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