Friday, October 7, 2011

Changing Times, Job Security and ...YOU!




With the economic mess around the world, managers are trying to figure out how to stay ahead of the game both personally as well as for their businesse's during these rapidly changing times.

As I sat on the plane in the Chicago Airport for my 106th take off (so far this year), I thought of how so much has changed and how quickly it has happened. I remember the old DC 3 of Frontier Airlines and my first trip. Wow, how exciting it was to fly on a plane! Now, it's as routine as getting into my pick up truck. I recalled how all the business folks would scramble for the bank of phones in the terminal to check in with the office. Now, when the plane lands it's instant messaging with a variety of hand held devices. There are 90 trillion emails sent each year. That's 2.8 million per second. 1.5 billion tweets per month. Then throw in Facebook, Linkedin, and text messages!!!!.
  All of these technological advances have placed many people and organizations in irrelevant peril.

 I remembered what Steve Jobs said concerning companies who focus on meeting the customer needs. You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. ..., people don't know what they want until you show it to them. ... "You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new."

Many of the firms I work with are not necessarily high tech organizations but high tech is part of the improvement in their processe's. There are organizations out there right now who are working toward providing you the competitive advantage with technology you may not have even thought about or know you need. Competing in a global economy will compel us to KEEP up with what's out there. Believe me, your competition is. Go to trade shows, tool shows, industry events. Talk with your customers, they will tell you what your competitors are doing to get the business.

But you know, even though there are major changes in our business world, there are still fundamentals which organizations continue to ignore. THAT is what will eventually stunt their growth and enhance their vulnerability in the market place..

> Leadership. It begins and ends here. "As the leader goes, so goes the organization." Almost nothing happens unless leadership is passionate, consistent and worthy of trust. Subordinates care about what the boss cares about. Board members should be looking at the CEO's and CEO's should be looking at their senior operating staff, etc.

> Proper staffing. As Jim Collins says, "You've got to have the right people sitting in the right seats on the bus." I stand amazed at the number of incompetent people who still have their jobs because they have "seniority" or because they are in some "protected class." Run your business wisely and don't be paralyzed by things that will probably never happen.

> Financial common sense. Too many organizations are still being controlled by CFO's who's only solution through these tough times is "cut cost,"when in reality, there's more money lost in poor and inefficient operations than most companies know. They either do not know how to recognize or are unwilling to deal with the problems.


> Engaging all of your employees. Someone once said "None of us, are as smart as all of us." I get weary of hearing managers talk about how engaged their employees are when, in fact, the discussion about improved business practices are still reserved for the self perceived "super brains" of these managers.

> Strategic process improvement. It does not always require new technology to make a big difference for your competitiveness. I know many organizations who have made huge gains with out spending more money. They got "lean." It does require a planned process for improvement solutions.

> Live your values and operating principles. I personally know companies who have posted on walls around the organizations their Value Statements which declare their honesty and integrity, while at the same time will intentionally not pay their creditors. They will espouse their concern for their employees, however their daily actions demonstrate just the opposite.

> Create Customers. It's more than market research, but it requires sound market strategic planning.

> Have a plan for personal and professional development. READ the WSJ, Financial Times along with leadership books and magazines. Read out side of your speciality once in awhile. Develop a holistic view of business. Take a "personal retreat". Get in to a routine of physical exercise.

I'm not a "tech nerd" and don't have all the gadgets. But I'm plugged in enough to stay competitive. As I prepared myself for my 106th landing I pondered why my business is secure and even growing. It's because there are still a lot of organizations who need someone to coach them through the steps described in this blog article.

How are you doing? Rate yourself and your firm on the above. If you can and will adhere to all described above, YOU will have a better chance to thrive in these changing times and secure your job for the future.