Information loading

We know two things about information.  One - we need  it ... as the basis of decision-making.  Two - we get too much of it.  The latter has got worse over recent years as it has become easier to disseminate information.

 

So - when you get the time between reading all the information that lands on your desk - do a simple information audit.  Ask one or two employees about the information on their desks - and how much of it they need - and use. Then work out how to get rid of some or all of the rest ... and you'll have a grateful - and more productive - employee.

Coach to success

Coaching and mentoring is now big business ... presumably because it is effective in changing (and improving) the performance of those being coached and mentored.  After all, if it works in athletics, why shouldn't it work in business.

 

In small businesses, owner/managers often need mentoring but do not have ready access to suitable individuals ... and often (claim that they) don't have the time.  Improving your own performance is something you MUST have time for ... so make the time available.  If you can find the time, you can also find a coach ... go to a business club ... or just use yellow pages.

 

Jus talking through issues with a confidante often helps in itself ... but a coach also has knowledge of perofrmance improvement techniques.

 

Try it - it might make a big difference ... and the risk is very small.

Take a look at the conditions under which your staff work

You can perform good work in poor space and under poor conditions, but it is always easier to do so when the 'environment' is conducive to prolonged effort, provides what is necessary and makes the workers feel good about themselves.

 

So take a look at the conditions under which your staff work. Are they 'up to scratch'?  If not, is it because you really can't afford better, or simply that you haven't bothered to look before ... and have accidentally shackled your workers by not bothering to think of their real needs.

Small may be good ... but its not an easy fight.

Small is beautiful. Right?  Well, small businesses are the backbone of most economies. They end up growing ... or failing ... or, just occasionally, staying as stable, small bushinesses.

Thomas Friedman, in The World is Flat, suggested that technology is a real boon to a small business ... no-one knows you are small from your website .. and you can do things now that only the big boys could do 20 years ago.

However, tech costs. So, small businesses have to borrow (and then they are owned by the big guys ... and especially the banks) ... or they have to tread very slowly (and they get overtaken buy the big guys coming late but with lots of money) or they have to be innovative ... doing things the big guys haven't yet thought of.

What's your 'edge' ... why will you succeed in the face of competition from the big guys. If you don't know the answer, your chances of success are slim.

Keep it simple

Innovation is often very simple.

You will have seen LED lights - strong light but a bit harsh. Philips has gor round this probem (of harshness) by painting the inside of lightbulbs with yellow paint to soften the light.  Cheap, effective ,,, and (pardon the pun) brilliant!

Poor returns

I recently read some research which suggests (not surprisingly) that 58% of shoppers will abandon an online retailer if they suffer a bad experience with deliveries or returns. After all they get little direct pleasure from the purchasing process (though they do get the sense of anticipation) ... so delivery is a major part of the overall transaction.

Get it wrong and this research says you're half way to losing a customer ... and you might have had to work very hard on marketing and promotion to get that customer in the first place!

Don't be surprised by surprises

I was reading through some press releases recently (yes, I know I have a sad life) and came across one that referred to Dolly Parton ... pointing out that a particular air cargo handler had secured the contract to move books for her charity which distributes books to libraries and to kids.  The juxtaposition of 'Dolly Parton', 'books' and 'charity' almost surprised me .. but I've learnt to expect the unexpected.  Its how you spot opportunities!