• Please read any of our newsletters to discover what and how we make change happen, sustainably
• A different New Year. This time, Chinese style.
• ...and fittingly, it's the year of the Snake.
  
  
  Why would snakes be a fitting metaphor for process, project and change management? It's a question with a stunningly simple answer. Which isn't that the snake is charming! Although...
  
  According to the Chinese Zodiac, people born in the Year of the Snake - which starts Sunday February 10th - are seductive, charming, analytical, slightly dangerous, smart, and good with money. They rely on gut feelings, are hard-working and intelligent.
  
  Perhaps it's a fitting metaphor after all, for those involved in process, project and change management. We like to think we're some of the above. Not seductive, necessarily - unless you count successful change, improved effectiveness and increased profitability as seductive...
  
  We do offer careful analysis, smart solutions, and value for money, though. And this month, we're focusing on process and change. We hope our articles will seduce you into taking action. And the scales drop from your eyes!
  
  Pun intended. Sorry...
  
  
• New Year. Western style...
• New Year...
  ...new beginnings. In theory, anyway.
  
  Most people, apparently, only keep their resolutions for nine days. Unsurprisingly... After all, if people can wait until January 1st to start something, perhaps they weren't that serious anyway. Or, they should have made themselves a promise that only needed to be kept for eight days...
  
  Here in Oakview, we've always said that those who want to change won't wait for some spurious date. They'll get going. They'll think about "what will be different, tomorrow", and make it happen. They'll control their own destiny.
  
  So, this newsletter is about implementing plans, and being ready for change.
  
  
• The end of Summer 2012. And what a summer...
• September. Already. And what a summer we've had.
  
  Regardless of the weather, we've enjoyed the Olympics; are enjoying the Paralympics - and just loved the smiles and rewards that come from the successful culmination of hard work and focused preparation.
  
  In the meantime, the rest of life continues - the fact that the media are picking up again on the parlous state of the economy, and the challenges facing business doesn't mean those issues have gone away.
  
  If anything, life is getting tougher. It was a good time for the Chartered Quality Institute to issue their report on the benefits of good process management. Amongst other things, it emphasises that lots of little improvements eventually add up to a huge difference.
  
  Just ask the Olympians, who had their best haul of medals ever. Every tenth of a second they could save during an event made a difference. Gold, in some cases.
  
  
• The start of Summer 2012. Lots to look forward to...
• June. Already. Where did the first half of 2012 go?
  
  Already the football season is over. Or not...
  
  Summer is here. Or not...
  
  The Olympics are just around the corner. Or will be...
  
  It'll be a great sports summer, with cricket here, bike racing due soon, and Wimbledon not far away.
  
  So, put your feet up and watch the winners. They'll be the ones who got to the top of their chosen profession through hard graft, sweating the details, and focusing on their end result.
  
  Lessons for us, perhaps?
  
  
• The 2012 Valentine issue. Sort of...
• February, already.
  
  Having just begun a new Chinese Year (The dragon, since you ask), we're moving into what is reckoned to be a month of purification, according to its Latin roots.
  
  
  Some of us might prefer to think of it as the month of love, of course.
  
  So, with links that Radio 2 would be proud of, this month's articles have disruption, cleaning and roses as themes.
  
  We hope you like them!
  
• January 2012 - and it's all about you
• A new year. A new beginning. Time to look ahead, make change happen, and pick up the pace. Although, in truth, if you wait until January 1st to make changes to your your organisation...well, how much time have you wasted.
  
  That's if you want to change the way you do things.
  
  
  We work with organisations who want to change; we've nearly worked with some who say they want change...but won't, don't, or can't. Which camp do you fall into? Times change. Do you?
  
  We're changing. Our Process Improvement, Project and Change Management services focus on the professional and financial services sector, and Not for Profit organisations; and we give Business Continuity support to insurance brokers who work with clients to improve their resilience.
  
• Just for a change... December 2011
• Time. A Christmas present. From you, to you.
  
  For some, the festive break allows time to quietly reflect on the last twelve months, and think about the next year. An opportunity to review your business, and ask whether your business is functioning as efficiently and effectively as possible.
  
  Why? With revenue harder to grow, and customers demanding fast, cost-effective, quality service, process is increasingly important to the bottom line. Our first article might trigger some thought - and action? - about why and how you can improve the way you work.
  
  And...you know that changing process works better with people's commitment. So our second article considers why we should get their involvement in making changes. You don't have to, but...
  
• Out of the blue... October 2011 happens
• Well. Plus ça change.
  
  Last time we wrote, shamefully over three months ago, we talked about change, and the kind of tools and techniques that those leading change might use to improve their chances of success.
  
  And we're sure that without too much effort, you'll be able to identify some areas over the last three months where change and leadership has (or not) made a difference. Anyone fancy leading Europe at the moment? Or Greece...
  
  In your own organisation, change is either happening, or will be. Organisations will have to change to survive or thrive in the near future. What will you do?
  
• Summer 2011 Summary
• Summer already. At least, in theory...
  
  The funny thing is that as soon as attention was drawn to droughts in much of the South, more rain fell!
  
  If the same approach worked with projects, change, and business continuity, things would be more easily led! Sadly, none of these receive quite the attention they deserve.
  
  So, the Icelandic volcano warnings of 2010 passed us by. Until the same group erupted in Spring 2011; in addition to volcanic problems in Chile and now Eritrea. See the article below for other warnings that should be heeded.
  
  Similarly with Projects and Change - too many warnings signs are missed, and so we see increasing failure rates.
  
  Not for you, obviously... Or, not?
  
• February 2011, and 17%
• February. Already.
  
  Amazingly, 17% of the year is over. And what have you done. With apologies to John Lennon, of course...
  
  The economic climate remains uncertain. Competition remains fierce. Inflation continues to rise. Profits are under pressure. The tax burden increases. What to do...
  
  Our belief is that because we can't influence the things beyond our control - we should concentrate on the things we can change. Such as managing costs, improving quality, implementing change, and protecting your investment.
  
• New Year, new start. Make 2011 different
• appy New Year! Have you made any resolutions?
  
  Change gurus say not to wait until some arbitrary date to make big decisions...although the festive break does allows us all time to review...and plan.
  
  So we did. And were delighted to note that we continued to create significant value for our clients through process improvement and project management. We also delivered various Data Protection and Business Continuity audits and plans. And saw some clients grow their businesses dramatically - in one instance, by over 50% in the year.
  
  And we had some fun doing it, although we worked hard, too. We'll continue to focus on those key areas, and contribute to our client's success through advice, implementation and continual improvement.
  
• Christmas 2010
• Weather we do, whether we don't...
• October 2010
• September 2010
• July 2010
• June 2010
• October
• Swine flu update
• Aug 2009
• July 2009
• May 2010
• Springing into action - March 2010
• Feb 2010
• Jan 2010
• December 2009
• November 2009
• Credit Insurance - why it's hard to find, and where to get it;
  Business Angels - for companies in distress;
  Business Planning - and implementation;
  Outsourcing - do you really know the risks?
• October 2009
• Business Funding;
  Co Act update;
  October 1 legal update;
  Business Continuity software
• Swine flu update
• Employer's liabilities
• September 2009
• Supply Chain disruption;
  Swine flu, and employer liabilities;
  Data Protection Act problems;
• August 2009
• Business Continuity;
  Project Management;
  Planning;
  Swine flu update

Oakview Consulting Ltd
71b High Street
Milton Keynes, MK11 1AY
+44 (0)844 8484 853

Join our Mailing List!