by Rick Baker
On Sep 18, 2013
Some businesses have slipped away into unprofitable territory.
Some businesses have taken a serious hit and are sinking.
Some business are doing OK, but/and face an opportunity to climb to the next level.
Some of these businesses will gain advantage under a turnaround; all of these businesses will gain advantage under a TurnAhead.
What's a TurnAhead?
The first step in a TurnAhead is getting control of Cashflow and tied to this, solidifying Gross Margin. With the 80/20 Rule in mind, what things have the greatest impact on Gross Margin - particularly, what Revenue pieces have the greatest impact on Gross Margin? Focus on those pieces. Solidify them. Expand them. Duplicate them.
This first step involves clear and accurate communication with the most-trusted people available in the organization. This means a series of simple questions followed by simple answers. Questions beyond simple ones are the wrong questions. Answers beyond simple ones are signals of confusion and unhelpful thinking.
The roots of big problems are simple roots.
The keys to big opportunities are simple keys.
The challenge you will always face is: simple does not mean evident or obvious...in foresight. Simple means simple in hindsight and, if you are really skilled, simple means common sense in real-time.
So, when you are working on a TurnAhead:
- concentrate on trusted people who think accurately,
- focus on Gross Margin and Cashflow,
- ask and repeat simple, clear questions, &
- act only on the simple, clear answers.
by Rick Baker
On Sep 17, 2013
Thought Tweet #827.5 Take your big treasure chest of Curiosity off the shelf...dust it off...open it up...and put its contents to good use.
The Thinking Behind The Tweet
At one time, you were an incessantly curious and creative person. You were chock full of curiosity. Over the years and through the criticism, you've locked much of your curiosity away...right beside your childhood dreams...and near your adolescent dreams.
Choose to take your big treasure chest of Curiosity off the shelf.
by Rick Baker
On Sep 17, 2013
Why do some people resist achieving goals?
I don't mean, Why do people fail to achieve goals?
I mean, Why do people intentionally fail to achieve goals?
Are those people:
- expressing objections to authority...i.e., are they working to rule?
- attempting to build job security...by ensuring a queue of work?
- children seeking long-lost parental controls?
- permanently soured on work?
- thinking "Damn the Rich...this one's for Me!"?
What goes through people's heads when they know what their employer wants them to do, are capable of doing it, yet refuse to do so?
What can we do to help those people feel comfortable exploring middle ground?
What questions can we ask to gain a better understanding of what might motivate those people?
What actions can we take to spark their enthusiasm for a job well done?