Tag Archive for Management

Managing on the fringe of ineffective or disruptive systems.


ISystems
Hope lingers beyond the confines of our daily obstacles with better models!

Our world may seem to shrink as compromises accumulate and options become limited. The typical mindset for convenient solutions relies too much on that magic bullet when ineffective systems or disruptive technologies can dominate to create further turmoil, if not managed.

Disruptive technologies considering their infancy may harness the potential industry game changer to overcome ineffective systems or it could add to our problems without some resemblance of direction or control, e.g. Streaming –Music, Crowd funding, mobile payments, Fintech – finance, drone management – delivery+, sharing economy (e.g.uber and Airbnb), big data to the internet of things.

Despite the years of investment and commitment given to some industries or cultures there is a need for a better direction or transformation as seen with the following examples:

  • The current surge of FinTech, latest financial technology opportunities to replace what could become redundant financial systems tomorrow.
  • Deceptive advertising that contributes to growing distrust.
  • Global challenges with disheartening trends and adverse effects, e.g. creating a waste society and the growing dependency on more elaborate security.
  • Health system that relies on new medications at the exclusion of more creative solutions.
  • Political systems filled with good intentions that falls short to inhibit creativity while generating more issues.
  • Legal systems that make poor band aid solutions to mental health, political unrest, or under resourced challenges.
  • Deteriorating Business to Business relations as profit takes priority over sustainability.
  • The many cultures of indulgence that extends beyond junk food and casual alcohol to decisions where rationalizing dominates over reason.
  • Education systems conditioning self-imposed limitations and a mindset to accept the status quo.

Potential solutions may remain unexplored with a growing need for common insights, alignment and supported visions for actions towards a better direction. This article continues to suggest possible transformations in a few areas:

    • Education.
    • Politics.
    • Law.
    • Finance.
    • Business.

….To read the rest of this article either subscribe or download the article.
See below...


That elusive challenge.


Challenges
Wisdom embodies more than the current body of knowledge to unmask the elusive challenge!

Challenges come in all shapes and sizes, while the elusive challenge can be front and centre with all our attention or taunting with dwindling hope or worse, accepted as a lost cause and another self-imposed barrier.
Even with our best efforts, what might not be so obvious are the challenges that are never resolved, that appear every year despite any form of continuous improvement. These reflect on the organisations maturity level, or weaknesses that can define us. Then, there are the challenges that are never considered, as complacent organisations ignore outstanding issues, missed opportunities or broader visions, needed to explore a greater potential.
Whether it is the ROI challenge, pursuit of profit, efficiency, growth, unravelling a paradox, cultures of oppression, stigmas, close to death experiences or implementing a strategy, the key to each challenge has the same underlining premise; to develop beyond the confines of our conditioning or limitations. This may require some additional skills or extraordinary efforts as described in the sections of this article:

  • Research
  • Problem solving.
  • Management skills.
  • Implementing a plan or strategy.
  • Evolving

….To read the rest of this article either subscribe or download the article.
See below...


Critical skills for decision making.


DecisionSkills
Good decisions are not based on titles, qualifications, or popularity;
Try compassion, intelligence and lots of imagination, knowledge and skills.!

The way we make decisions can have a significant impact in all our lives from business to daily decisions that can affect our success and quality of life.
Some decisions can have devastating consequences or impact our reputation or financial situation to create a long and difficult challenge to recover.
We can all appreciate the many situations that can result in poor decisions, from a lack of knowledge to emotional reactions, like impulse buying that can cripple any budget even if budgeting enables better choices.
We tend to be limited and habitual in how we make decisions, unconsciously constrained by our own understanding, the politics of the situation, conditioning and clouded influences to be driven by emotions, need to conform, rationalise, compromise, meet expectations, avoid any risk or commitment.
There is an opportunity to make better decisions if we make decision making a more conscious process and develop key capabilities. Some areas that we could improve beyond the traditional models include :

  • Broader intelligence.
  • Drive to pursue a better understanding and much needed insights.
  • Critical thinking and analytical abilities.
  • Decision making strategies.
  • Negotiation skills.
  • Simple steps to decision making and navigation.

….To read the rest of this article either subscribe or download the article.
See below...


Strategies to live by.


LiveS
Eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive!
Perpetuate trust, love and encouragement!

Life is as much fun or as difficult as we make it. With an inspired Vision, sensible objectives, managed risks and a good strategy supported with quality decisions and growing competence, anything is possible. Each challenge keeps it interesting and our values and loved ones give it purpose and substance.
Strategies to live by typically include some overwhelming pearls of wisdom that may encapsulate personal and business goals, and utilise our networks in pursuit of some balance. Like a Mission that sets a purpose and direction, it can also define an underlying strategy on how to succeed.
Those that live the 80/20 rule, "The Parento Principle" for growth and profit may overlook many goals and objectives that can help instil substance, sustainability and the desired outcome without having to rationalize short comings or the consequences of poor decisions, or indecision.
Shared values at different levels of maturity may resonate in our work and lives to help us appreciate some of the strategies needed to evolve further (i.e. bias for action). We can explore the strategies behind some key values:-

  • Respect, Trust and confidence
  • Responsibility and Commitment
  • Equity, Inclusion and Diversity
  • Openness and opportunity
  • Accountability and transparency
  • Fairness and justice
  • Reputation

….To read the rest of this article either subscribe or download the article.
See below...


Create bargaining positions to negotiate better conditions, opportunities and prospects


Bargain

Make the most of today, leverage your advantages with research,
analysis, insights, smart tactics and strategies!
The decisions you make today can impact the rest of your life!

There are so many contracts or propositions with poor conditions and inbuilt disadvantages that set a challenge to explore and create better bargaining positions. Most proposals remain unchallenged while their conditions only get worse with time. Meanwhile opportunities just go unnoticed, unexplored and with time can be lost or become more difficult to envisage.
The time taken to research the proposed agreement can improve any bargaining position and the prospect to negotiate better terms that will also improve your position for the future. The biggest challenge is when the whole industry adopts the same bad practices to depict a deteriorating situation as no other option is evident or easily attainable. Investigating the dynamics involved will uncover the potential consequences of accepting the status quo, conforming and taking no corrective action.
This applies to so many areas, from employment contracts, purchases, properties, partnerships, to the facilities that you use.
So how do you recognise your opportunities to negotiate and improve your bargaining position?
For many it starts by recognising the challenge, a dilemma or specific issue to fuel the drive that can break the cycle of poor decisions or many mistakes with the steps that can set a positive direction:

  • Review the current arrangement or proposition that might not be favourable, to set a goal that can achieve something better with a vision of how things could be.
  • Consider what skills you might need to develop further or include in your team to succeed.
  • Uncover the dynamics and the barriers.
  • Create a position to leverage your advantages.
  • Set the ground work to enable opportunities.
  • Develop new driving forces and opportunities.
  • Build trust and a vision that all parties can support.
  • Secure the deal and its execution.

….To read the rest of this article either subscribe or download the article.
See below...