Is The World Flat?

Let me share a story that happened just last week...

I was sitting across the table from a prospective client when they say, "We need an industry expert to help us do..."

It made me laugh a bit, but, I felt compelled to ask, "Why? Is it because you want to do what your competition is already doing?"

Do you really think you need industry experts to deliver desired outcomes?

Think again.

These widely held beliefs, provided by “experts” at the time, were proven wrong by people who were considered “outsiders” and “heretics” in their day:

- The World is Flat
- The Sun is A Fiery Stone
- We Are the Center of the Universe

Sometimes you need a different point of view.

The Best Practices Group brings an “outsiders” perspective to the table. We don’t pretend to have all the answers. We think that such an attitude only limits thinking. Instead, we help your highly knowledgeable staff develop the solutions that are right for you — driving results through the use of our proven planning methodologies.

Frankly, you know your business. Sometimes you just need a catalyst to help you think outside-the-box. The Best Practices Group can help you cultivate and advance the breakthrough thinking needed to compete.

After all, the Earth isn’t flat. Your strategic thinking shouldn’t be, either.

CLICK here for a summary of the break-through services that we offer.

Allow Me To Introduce Myself

Happy 2012!  This year, we enter our 21st year in practice, so we thought that we would spruce things up a bit -- make the experience more enriching.  So, here's our first video.

Follow the link below and let me know what you think of it.

Best Practices Group's Intro Video

The spot appears in several places on the website, too.

As always, I encourage you to join in on the conversation with a tweet or a call.

Thanks.

2012 Vision Story

As the year comes to an end, I thought it may be a good time to think about the vision for next year. A rock-solid strategic vision is not a simple slogan that can be printed on a business card (as so many are these days), but, rather it should be developed as story framed by the long-term financial goals and containing adequate coverage of such organizational characteristics as:

Leadership Models / Management Style
Customer Demographics / Growth Strategies
Service Delivery / Brand Value
Operating Model / Flexible Workforce
Communication Infrastructure (Internal / External)
Diversity & Inclusion / Product/Service Sets
Product Distribution / New Business Partnerships
Organizational Structure / Process Transformation
Performance Metrics / Project Portfolios (Work Management Structures)
Governance Frameworks


Once the vision story is written, time must be dedicated to raising awareness of its content among staff and management, alike. An entire employee engagement and Vision Socialization effort should quickly follow. People want to be part of something bigger than themselves. It's our job as senior leaders to give them something to believe in.

As always, chat it up, tweet and call me.

Happy Holidays!

A “New Normal” Must Be Established

The changing economic times of the past few years have dictated changes in the way work is done. Businesses can ill afford to adopt a “more of the same” philosophy. Staffing levels have declined to a new equilibrium that is above the point of diminishing returns. Vacancies are refilled on a limited basis with good justification. Budget and expenditure scrutiny are common occurrences. The enterprise has had to tighten its belt. As a result a “new normal” has been established. One marked by efficient execution, customer-friendly service delivery and timely decision-making.

In order to establish a “New Normal”, firms must adopt these three principles:


1. We will embrace an “Outside-In” perspective

A paradigm shift of brilliant proportions has taken place within the organization. The leadership team has begun to place needed emphasis on the service delivery aspects of the Company. By doing so, it has come to realize that the best results are achieved by embracing an “outside-in” point of view – one that considers the impact of the organization policy and procedural changes on the customer and other outside constituents before implementation. In this way, mistakes can be avoided and need for rework minimized.

2. We will enthusiastically implement an “In It Together” management style

The old ways of running the Company have given way to a new style of business management. The new style can be characterized as one where “we’re in it together” (a topic that I have written about extensively – http://www.management-issues.com/2011/10/10/opinion/leadership-were-in-it-together.asp)

Leaders and management is there to set direction and enable success. It welcomes rigor and discipline and encourages calculated risk-taking, as long as all of the issues are well understood and that the actions to be taken are consistent with the way the senior leadership wants to conduct business.

3. We will seek outside perspectives as an essential business practice

Prior to the adoption of the “outside-in” perspective, the Company was often seen as a closed operation – one that rarely sought advice from the outside. This philosophy has changed. Outside viewpoints are routinely solicited in order for the enterprise to better service the business community. From the engagement of management consultants to use of ad-hoc external client advisory boards the petitioning of outside counsel has become an essential business practice within the organization.

Employee Engagement+ Program Offering

A management program that engages staff and aligns the organization

Plan, Create, Execute

Based on the research presented in my latest book, The Best Practices Enterprise: A Guide to Achieving Sustainable World-Class Performance, this stellar offering helps organizations plan, create and execute a comprehensive Employee Engagement+ Program.

The Engagement+ Program Plan is comprised of these core deliverables:

Work Culture Baseline Assessment;

A client-specific, prioritized list of
needed Engagement Projects and Programs;

A timeline for execution of the
projects and programs identified;

First-cut Project Plans for the
highest priority initiatives, and;

An Engagement Program Admin-istration
process for how to maintain and manage the
Engagement+ Program™.

For More Information: E: info@best-practices-enterprise.com P: 860-632-0580
Who We Have Helped: http://www.best-practices-enterprise.com/biographies/clients/
Legal Statement: Exclusive property of Kerr Systems International, LLC - Copyright 2011

The Results Are In!!

My survey on Strategic Themes articles is officially closed.

I want to thank those that participated and share the results:

Findings:

1) We had an amazing 62% reply rate -- thanks!

2) 72% of respondents "Often" or "Always" read my articles -- when we include the "Sometimes" response we get over 95% reading the articles -- a heartfelt thank you!

3) All of the topic areas gained high approval. There was a fairly even spread among them. However, "Leadership" was the most favorite topic of interest (with 19% of respondents rating it first (Strategic Vision and Organizational Design each ran a close 2nd at 17% rating these as their favorite topics))

4) "New Idea" and "Unique Perspective" were highest rated article attributes with 54% rating each of these as the most important driver for reader satisfaction. Interestingly, "Humor" and "Quick Read" were the least important attributes.

5) 81% of respondents "Fold it into their thinking" or "Pass it On/Discuss" the articles that resonate with them -- I like that!

6) Not surprisingly, there was a 50/50 split on "author contact" -- some people reach out to me, some don't.

As a management consultant/advisor, paid for "thought leadership," I welcome feedback and discussion of my ideas. It's how I generate business. So, if the idea makes sense, call on me.

Thanks again.

Need Your Thoughts

TGIF! I need some help before the weekend comes. I'm looking for your thoughts about the business articles that I write.

If you have 5 minutes today, please complete this simple survey:

http://gs-survey.com/s.asp?s=17927

There are only 5 multiple choice questions. It's anonymous, and, the results will help me to target my future thought pieces (so, I can better deliver what you want to read).

As always, I encourage you to join in on the conversation with a tweet or a call.

Thanks For Your Help.