One major business publication states the world's top 200 companies lose 10 percent with their profits to managing complexity, not overcoming it. I'll wager that your company, even if it's not inside the top 200 is losing money to complexity too. All too often an overzealous mid-level manager or C-level executive will complicate things inside the name of innovation and creativity. They implement new procedures or processes since they feel they should look productive, while in fact, doing the alternative could yield greater results. What happens if they removed a step or process? Simplicity as being a business method is an often forgotten, yet successful approach.
Ride the Storm: Navigating Through Unstable Periods / Katerina Rudko (Belka G...
Simplicity Like a Business Strategy
1. simplicity as being a business
One major business publication states that this world's top 200 companies lose 10 percent with
their profits to managing complexity, not overcoming it. I'll wager your company, even when it's
not within the top 200 is losing money to complexity too. All too often an overzealous mid-level
manager or C-level executive will complicate things from the name of innovation and creativity.
They implement new procedures or processes mainly because they feel they should look
productive, during times of fact, doing the contrary could yield greater results. What happens if
they removed a step or process? Simplicity like a business approach is an often forgotten, yet
very effective approach.
Problem #1 - The Gee Whiz Company sees profits slipping. The call goes out for innovative,
creative solutions. Instead of pausing to realign and reaffirm the company's vision, goals or
mission, managers propose more steps, whiplash changes, or faster action.
Solution - Adding something inside the name of improvement isn't always the best solution. Recall
the KISS axiom, about keeping it simple? Sometimes removing one step, simplifying an activity or
dialing back pressure brings about greater workflow and greater buy in. Your workforce
recognizes and values common sense and revels once they recognize that the executive suite
values it too.
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Problem #2 - The Do It Today organization is at a scramble to exchange a priceless top level
manager that had been retiring. The audience was stuck inside the "How will we ever replace
her?" mindset. These were quickly complicating the method by assuming they couldn't find
anyone to match up on the previous employee.
Solution - Rather than overloading the wish list to the new candidate, utilize tools and
assessments to recognize the skills and attributes of the outgoing manager, take a look for those
same attributes in potential hires. This helps eliminate the emotional part of the hiring process and
streamline and clarify the prerequisites. By using a tool such as the Attribute Index, the
corporation could identify their top requirements and screen candidates against those. The
process reduced time table and identified talent within their network, enabling a simplified
transition.
In the heat of action, it's not unusual for management to miss the complete picture. When the
world's top 200 companies fall prey to this particular, chances are you are struggling too.
When you find yourself mired down in complicated processes, it's hard to find your path out.
Someone outside of the trenches may take an impartial look at the overall operation, workflow or
process. Talking with employees in an unbiased environment will yield candid and useful input
that may set people and processes in alignment. Asking the question, "What could we subtract?"
gives a new perspective if you are kept in the improvement mindset.