 |
|
New Year...Chinese style, this time
| |
...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... |
|
|
Procedures Manuals...
...what's the point?
 It's a bigger question than you might imagine. Or even care about, perhaps. Yet a question we posted on Linked In, trying to get views on whether this kind of manual is something that has any value, drew strong - and surprisingly passionate - debate between supporters and detractors.
The main argument for PMs seemed to be that they are key to being cost-effective, and help reduce waste and improve quality. Good process management also made sure that those who 'do the doing' helped ensure Procedures Manuals were good enough for the business.
We think they are key for businesses who want to make sure that they deliver.
There were more cynics, though. Their view was that the practical problem of keeping any Manuals up to date with actual practices was too costly. Procedures will change, and the administrative task of keeping reality and documentation was seen by the sceptics as unnecessarily bureaucratic.
Our view is that organisations are better with Procedures Manuals than without. We've seen the problems of non-standard working habits at first-hand. However, good PMs are only as detailed as necessary. And they have to be regularly reviewed. We believe there are ten reasons to review your processes regularly.
So what do you think? Do you have Procedures Manuals? When did you last review processes? And what are you missing out on?
Let us know what you think...
|
From Snakes...to monkeys...
...because we like monkeys.
 Less for the Chinese New Year connection (the next year of the monkey is 2016, so some way away!); more because we've written about monkeys this month. Whether eating bananas, or jumping into action in cages, we see a lot of 'us' in 'them', when thinking about human interaction and our presumptions. Not only are they genetically close, they behave like us, too. We've seen behaviours that would shame a monkey, by adults as well as children, by the way. Go visit any zoo, and watch both sides of the fence... This month, we've used them as a metaphor for toxic culture and poor staff morale. In organisations, though. Not as in cages. Although... Find out why, here...
|
Speaking of changing...
...here's a great resource we've found.
We're big into Continuous Professional Development. In fact, it's one of the commitments we make to you, our clients, in our Quality Statement.
So we were really pleased to stumble upon Scoop It, as it's a great way of finding and keeping any number of web-based articles keeping us up to speed with current thinking - and reminders of past lessons.
And the good thing is that you can start your own page, gathering together (alright, scooping...) insights for your own chosen subject. It's a fun way to learn.
Go look. Go try. You never know...
|
|
|
Oakview Consulting helps business leaders to implement sustainable improvements.
We're all about change: we help you become more efficient, more effective, more compliant - and more profitable.
Our track record is of successfully using proven tools and techniques in process, project and change management, to make things happen. We work with organisations in the professional and financial services arenas, and the not for profit sector - and have experience of working with retailers and manufacturers, too.
Or, talk to us on
08448 484853
|
|
|
|
|
|
