Posts from — June 2008
Reduce Rate for New Media Expo
Don’t forget New Media Expo Registration rate of $349 is good until June 30th and $399 after that. You can register for FREE, if you just want to visit the Exhibit Hall and Keynotes.
June 26, 2008 No Comments
Problem Solver vs. Symptom Sleuth
Are you a problem solver? Can you define the problem, gather data, expand the team, brainstorm solutions, and execute on the best one? Great! That puts you way ahead of the pack. Problem solving skills are highly valued by every manager around. But, what about sniffing out the bigger problem? Is there a bigger problem? Whenever I see a problem, I do try to accomplish the above steps AND see if the problem could be a symptom of a bigger problem.
I think so many people are satisfied just by completing the first part – just solving the problem. That is great and most managers will be very happy you did that.
But, I’m challenging you to look beyond the immediate and see if there is a trend or a larger issue that needs to be resolved. This secondary problem will certainly be more abstract and strategic in nature. This problem may be beyond the scope of your position to resolve – maybe even beyond your manager’s scope or interest. That just means it is an even more important problem to solve. Keep gathering data on the smaller problems and the bigger issue you think they point to. Then present to your manager or you manager’s boss.
Are you sympton sleuth AND a problem solver?
June 20, 2008 2 Comments
Risk Averse vs. Risk Tolerant
How many times have your heard:
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“Safety is Job 1”
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“Safety before anything else”
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“The first step is Safety”
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“Safety is no accident”
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“Safety is our business”
If you have, my guess is that you come from some operational background – manufacturing, construction, production…
In many industries, safety has to and does come first. The danger is when this risk aversion carries over into managerial decision making. Managers can not afford to be risk averse when making decisions about innovation, technology, or strategic direction. As the epic, Roman poet, Virgil said, “Fortune favors the bold.”
In my discussions with managers, I have helped them separate Operational Risk from Managerial Risk. When a manager has “grown” up in operational environment before moving into a managerial position, they can be risk averse. This makes perfect sense. They were groomed to be risk averse. Risk is bad. An accident could cost you your job or your life. “Be careful out there.”
But, at the same time, risk taking is not always bad. Risk taking is often lauded. Spending money on innovation, R&D, and the unknown is risky, but with a possible healthy reward. To quote Robert F. Kennedy: “There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.” Action in the face of is good.
So, why blog about this? When considering any decision, managers need to assess whether it involves operational risk or managerial risk. If it is operational risk, safety first. If it is managerial risk, then go for it. The key is to not apply an automatic, learned risk aversion. Operational risk should be avoided AND managerial risk should be embraced.
Are you operationally risk averse and mangerially risk tolerant?
June 11, 2008 No Comments
