Bus Members...

From time to time I compelled....drawn to... revisit some of the Jim Collins materials (website and book). In some ways it revitalizes me...in some ways it depresses me because I feel like some folks still "just don't get it..."

Take this excerpt from article by Jim Collins titled: "Good to Great and the Social Sectors."

Yet a finding from our research [key word here folks, research...not an opinion or hypothesis] is instructive: the key variable is not how (or how much) you pay, but who you have on the bus. The comparison companies in our research—those that failed to become great—placed greater emphasis on using incentives to “motivate” otherwise unmotivated or undisciplined people. The great companies, in contrast, focused on getting and hanging on to the right people in the first place—those who are productively neurotic, those who are self-motivated and self-disciplined, those who wake up every day, compulsively driven to do the best they can because it is simply part of their DNA.

Don't get me wrong...I believe as well as most that compensation is a KEY ingredient in motivation (no, not always #1) but the point being made here is that it doesn't matter how much you pay someone who doesn't care or isn't committed...it won't make your Org. better. A core concept for success once again is ...."Getting the right people on the bus!"

I find so much satisfaction in reading and hearing that concept...frankly because I firmly believe it's central towards becoming the best you can be. If you settle for something less...well...then you are....settling for something LESS. I know of companies that believe and LIVE the "Good to Great" concepts...and honestly they are some of the finest companies I know of....hmmm, maybe something to that....

I leave you today with a question: Are you, "...productively neurotic, ...self-motivated and self-disciplined, ...(do you) wake up every day, compulsively driven to do the best (you) can because it is simply part of (your) DNA." ???

TAFN

Planning...

I've been spending more time than I care too recently trying to figure out ways to stretch my family budget. Gasoline prices @ $3.49 per gallon, milk per gallon is over $4, hamburger prices are up and my latest car insurance statement reflects a 5% increase in premiums (and we're a four car family!). It seems that EVERYTHING is costing my family more. As a result, we are spending much more time consciously thinking about ways to save some money...we need every penny to help pay for something else that has gone up in price!

We are reducing the number of times we run here or there for things we "want" but may not "need." We're working hard with our children to impress upon them the need to limit vehicle trips. We've even gone as far as to actually suggest they stay at home one night per week (this was a much bigger deal to them it seems) instead of "on-the-go" seven days per week. We are combining trips to include shopping for groceries, gas fill ups, video return, etc. Yes, money has become tighter and frankly the forecast for the immediate, foreseeable future doesn't look much better for any of these costs to fall.

So in essence, my family and I are PLANNING. We are giving conscious thought to how much money is coming in and where it's going out. Not that this is a revelation for us...we've always lived on a budget---the diff here is that we seem to have much less predictability over what our costs will actually be. When gasoline jumps 5, 10 or even 22 cents per gallon over night---it's tough to predict a monthly gas account. And then there's the grocery store....I've seen prices jump 10-20% on items during the course of a few days....on a several hundred dollar per month grocery bill--that jump can really add up. We are "on the hunt" for bargains...for ways to reduce our budget impact...lower priced items...or even not buying some less important "things."

You might be saying OK Jim...you're not telling me anything new...we are doing the same exact thing! My reply is COOL!, Great!....that's what I was hoping to hear. That means you understand budget limitations...the issues with needless or foolish spending during times of budget pressure!! Carrying your personal situation over to your work now.....things are becoming tighter for MDC now too. Revenue forecast aren't looking the best...that means tighter, leaner budgets. That means we must get much smarter about how and where we invest/spend our limited resources.

Let's face it folks.....it should always be that way...but we know human nature. When money influx seems to be pretty good, our decision making usually changes...purchases may be made that during tighter/leaner times wouldn't. Well so our current and immediate future seems to point to leaner times now...so we MUST adjust our thinking and how we conduct business. No different that you do at home.

Bring your home thought process over to your job....are you looking for ways at work to reduce costs? Are you trying to save money? Is it a conscious thought process you have every day??? ...like it is at home? If it isn't...it should be! At every level in this Org. employees are expected to contribute to working smarter and that includes financial aspects too.

Certainly the work we perform in IT can contribute to helping save some Agency greenbacks too. We should working diligently towards finding and implementing technology that could provide, at minimum, the same worker productivity level (or better yet improve it), while saving money. Look at service contracts...is there a better way to get service? Should we purchase spare hardware and drop some service contracts? What about boning up on your negotiation skills....negotiate for lower prices on hardware/software and other IT costs....push vendors to give us better pricing. Drive less---no brainer! THINK! and re-think business processes...how can we gain some efficiencies?

I challenge each of you...apply some of the thinking you do at home to save some of "your" money ...to help save "our" money. Put on your thinking caps and think EFFICIENCIES, Productivity gains, better processes, streamline...etc.

I eagerly look forward to hearing and seeing the results of your focused attention at helping to "work smarter"

TAFN

Who's Driving...

It's been a long dry spell as to my posting to this Blog...for a number of reasons. Numerous changes within the IT Org at MDC has kept my focus and time elsewhere...and then there's just pure laziness I guess....

Wow, lots of things new for me as I moved back into the Network Services program administration role and assumed the duties of the Telephony and Radio (Telecommunications) Program. Catching up on the projects the Network folks have been working on was dwarfed by the need to learn more about the Telecommunications efforts. Ya know, you think you have an idea as to what's going on and generally the basics of what someone is doing....I'm hear to tell you...you really DON'T until you walk in their shoes.

So now that the small re-org has taken place.... what changes for you? Initally not too much and that should have been evident for those of you that are keeping score. But, going forward, now that I've had a little time to acclimate myself to the programs---I see some definate need to re-evaluate some direction, programs, and processes we do. Anything and everything is possible....the intent of any changes of course are to improve Conservation. So that will be my focus....how can we do that. What changes can we implement that will bring about faster service, better service, improved response time, allow us to have more time for R&D, get more done, bring new technologies to bear, etc......all a focus moving forward.

I'm interested in opinions, thoughts, perspectives...general input from those involved in any "Network Services" Program. You can have a say in the future direction, but only if you're willing to speak up. I'm visiting with staffers internal to these programs and even external folks to gleen insight...I'll use those thoughts to help mold improvements down the road. So if you have something to say----I'd love to hear it. Look at it this way.....if you could change anything in this group....what would that be?

Will there be changes? You bet! When, how much, how wide spread, etc will be part of the evaluation and subsequent planning stages. But, I'm convinced that change is neeeded.

What part of that change are you going to be? Are you going to be one that is driving that change for improvements...or are you going to sit back and leave the driving to someone else? Be forewarned those who ride could incur a charge---perhaps you'll recall an older adage: "No one rides for free..." I read an article yesterday titled: "Who's Driving Quality Today?"...as I read that I thought of the work we do here....ask yourself that question---Is the answer you?

The point is...we are going to implement some change...you can either be an active partner in bringing about that change or you can be pulled along dragging, kicking, and screaming. Change is inevitable....if we're not changing, we're standing still...and I see little value in standing still.

There shall be more discussion on this topic in the coming days, weeks, months....some here on this Blog...some in person. Stay tuned, be alert, be aware, be a part....of the future.

(For the readers in the crowd...consider Driving Change )

tafn