Workflow,  it's a simple thing.  Or at least it's a simple thing to define.  Or is it?  Numerous times in the last few months I've related this story about our new hire who came into my office and showed me a sketch that succinctly described, in a single hand drawn picture, one of our client industry's workflow.  Not only was the drawing simple and accurate, it was presented with an almost insulting "that's all there is right?"

We should all be so lucky to see things so clearly and as easy to improve by adding a few "systems" and taking out others.  But we don't.  Particularly because of how much "smarter" we are.  Just do a quick Google search for Workflow Images and you'll be presented with a dizzying array of charts.  It's no wonder that when we think of workflow, we get nervous about how to change and execute it.   But the fact is we must.  And the good news is, for most of us, it doesn't need to look anything like the search results you found if you ran the search I just suggested.  So here's the deal; to be successful, to do what I suggested in the title of this blog - "successfully execute", you must do three things. 

• Start with the end in mind.  Not the end result of what you want the process improvement to accomplish, like faster turn-around times, fewer mistakes, a better product or even happier clients.  The "end" is having everyone who is going to be doing the "work" on board.   Everyone.  Yes, it's ok to have some who are less enthusiastic than others, but you cannot have someone who doesn't agree to participate.
• Draw and then document the workflow in as few steps as possible.  It's important you create a picture, not just words.  It's said that genius is the ability to reduce the complicated to simple.  Do it; be genius in this part.  If the first drawings are highly detailed because your people are analytical, keep insisting on taking out the small stuff and only document the biggest steps.
• Set a "no miss" deadline for final implementation.  To use a sports analogy, the game doesn't get put off because there wasn't enough time for practice.  The game doesn't get changed to another day and time because someone on the team didn't do what they were supposed to.  The game didn't get cancelled because the coach found out the competing team is tougher than first thought.

I hope you'll trust me when I say that individuals and businesses cannot afford to ignore the changes in their environment and continue to do things the way they've always done them.  As technology advances, the workforce gets younger and most important your customer base changes. It is even more important to make necessary changes in how you do things better.  Staying the same could literally make or break your company or your personal success.  So once you've decided that at a bare minimum, you want to sustain your earnings, overcome daily business challenges and keep an upper hand over your competition, please think "inside the box" and improve HOW you do things.  And if you're closing out this year with plans for 2014 to be stellar, there's no doubt you'll want to incorporate the stuff I laid out here starting right now.  That way you'll have the benefit of a "fresh start" after the holiday, leaving the running blocks at full speed while your competition is just starting to gather the team for practice! And I hope you'll send me some pictures!