Complexity...

I hope you enjoyed the recent Christmas Holiday and spent some quality time with those you care about.

It's a been a while since my last post and perhaps you've enjoyed that break too.... I was recently cc'd on an article that think is worth sharing with all of you. The first sentence begins:
“Complexity is the defining character of our age.” My favorite quote in the entire article was, “Complexity is a symptom of confusion, not a cause.” I'll let you read the article and formulate your own opinions on where our work, no check that...where YOUR work falls when illuminated with the thoughts contained in this article.

How do you feel about what you just read? Are you one of those that shrug it off and say, "it's just more propaganda" or after you read it, did specific thoughts come to mind and/or did you see some examples of the work being done right here in our Organization? Were you able to cite specific examples of this "confusion"...and even more importantly...did the little light bulb go off in you head and a voice screamed ah ha!...and now you're formulating a plan to reduce the confusion...??

Of course the real value in this is the latter...the ability to take what you read and apply it to your current situation and formulate a plan, is where the real value come into play. If you did this, congratulations and welcome aboard the bus. If not, there's still hope....re-read the article and try to think of specific examples in your work life where this could be true...and THEN--ask yourself-- "Is there something that I can do differently that would change (read improve here) this process."

We all have a responsibility to find ways to improve -- improve in ways that enhance our work output, enhance our deliverables, enhance communications....whatever it is. I believe one of the best ways to improve...is to continuously ask the question(s). If you ask the right questions, the answers will reveal where improvement are needed. I think the article does a good job of asking the right question.

As we finish up the last days of 2007, give substantial thought towards what and how you will make improvements in the coming year. Both, on a professional and a personal front....YOU and this Agency will be better as a result.

TAFN/PO

Christmas...Give the Gift of ....IT

Well, at least I think the title is at least something that should make those who read it think… “Is this guy really thinking we should give a gift of IT?” Well yes actually I am…but perhaps not in the sense of giving in the sense that all folks might think. In this particular context…let’s let the “IT” just stand for, something used to represent a concept, thought, action, circumstance, idea, thing, person or animal….or something close to that.

Christmas season is certainly very meaningful to a multitude of people in a multitude of different ways. To some-- it represents the gift from God as in the birth of Jesus Christ into this world; to some it’s a strictly a gift giving time or a time to make big cash; to some it’s just another excuse to party; and to others it doesn’t mean much at all. Whatever your thoughts about the Christmas season, I’d ask you to consider a couple thoughts. The first is to consider giving…giving something, (preferably something positive), something that could help someone accomplish something in their lives. The second would be….just to enjoy “it.”

The gift of giving can be a motivating factor for those who enjoy watching people on the receiving end of the gift…certainly many parents could share pleasant stories of watching their children open gifts at Christmas. There seems to be a certain joy in that giving for most folks…the satisfaction of knowing (seeing in some cases) how warmly received your gift is/was. While my main point here is just to get you thinking about giving (giving of yourself in some cases) and in that mindset the gifts can be anything…my intent is also to stir up your thoughts about “what you can give.”

The “gift” you give could be anything…yes, it could be money or presents….or “it” could be something related to work. Did I just ruin it for you? I hope not, I hope you’ll read on and hear me out. Your gift this year will hopefully include some thoughts about what you could do differently at work, or perhaps even what you could do daily in your job that might be considered a “gift” by those receiving it. Maybe…your level of customer service is something that could be thought of in this case. Consider providing a level of customer service that those on the receiving end would feel like they just received the Christmas present they always wanted. Imagine how that would impact those folks…imagine if you will, how the perception of MDC IT would be affected…. Gosh, what a concept, customer feels great…and you feel good knowing what YOU did made them feel that way!!

I won’t harp on the idea of you giving a gift..back to work. I would ask that you at least consider the thought…and imagine how the workplace might change.

Regardless, I do hope that you, and those you care about, will experience the joy that this time of year can provide. I hope that you too are on the receiving end of a gift that will change your life or at least make it better…

Merry Christmas!

TAFN