Merry Christmas

Have you wished your customers a Merry Christmas? Of course, you have. Looking after them is your number 1 priority.

Tech can help

I do not normally encourage smaller firms to be technology leaders ... but they must not stand by and miss the benefits that can accrue from the use of well-proven technologies. But sometimes, the gains from an emerging technology come to the early adopters. So the lesson is to be 'cautious innovators' ... keep a watching brief and 'jump in' when the gains look good and the risks are manageable. Sounds like any other investment ... and it should!

Does technology help?

Being at the forefront of technology (the 'bleeding' edge) is expensive and risky. However, failing to recognise what technology can do for your company is also expensive and risky. Keep an eye on what the big boys in your sector are doing ... and when they've burned their fingers, think what lessons you can learn ... and think about what you've saved by waiting a short time before deploying a new technology.

From the ground up

When we build a house, we build from the ground up (for obvious reasons). When we build an organisation, we often build from the top down. Why? ..... and why are we surprised when the foundations look shaky!

Success has a simple recipe

The iPhone success shows one fundamental thing ... Being first is very important ... but only if you are also right.  Apple's success came from:  reading customer's needs and wants; good design; excellent execution. Not a bad recipe if you think about it!

Make it better!

I picked up a pen the other day. It felt more comfortable than the one I normally use. I examined it and found it was a 'freebie' promotional pen ... but I have continued to use it.

The lessons -

1. 'Quality' and 'Function' are NOT always related to price.
2. Even the humblest product can be improved.

Know the figures

The Yorkshire & Humberside region of the UK produces 600 tonnes of waste for every £1 million of goods produced. Is this good? or bad?

You have to know your figures and you have to have a comparator. Ask around. Read.

Measure your performance and compare it to somebody else's. Only then can you can work out if you are doing OK.