Process Power

The lack of effective process is usually not the reason why business fail. But it is the reason why business do not excel. We often consider the constraints to excellence are the traditional lack of money, lack of customers and the usual "dog ate my homework" stuff. Not that these do not impact performance but often may be the symptom not the cause.

The problem with process be it in big and small business is that it is usually considered to be another form of rule, another way that disengages creativity and free spirited behavior. It is the proverbial root canal to achieving anything around here.

That been said how can we promote the "process power" aspect to this scenario.

Well there has to be a story about everything. For some of our followers you know we mostly write about things that happen in the field.

John is a real go getter his business unit has recently been separated from the mother ship  and now face the daunting task of having to do everything for themselves. John shoots first then has a quick look to see the damage done and moves on to the next target.  Brian on the other hand is a team member who does things a little different. He measures twice sometimes three times before he "cuts".

John sales are extraordinary with a top line that reaches the tallest cloud. Brian sales are good but no one can be a John when it comes to sales. There are many other characters in this saga but for the sake of not overextending my limited typing skills we will stay with John and Brain.

Like with all fairy tales the story has to have a twist. I think most of you by now know where this is going. John perfect top line does not always translate in a pretty bottom line. When it comes to executing these sales something inevitably goes wrong. John has ordered the wrong materials (which he is not supposed to do in the first place), the sub contracting crew bring the wrong equipment, and the stuff hits the fan one thing after the next. Brian lands up having to fix things with a fire extinguisher that is bigger than the truck that he drives. Brian turns on the fire hose before he brushes his teeth in the morning.

Its not there is no process in fact the process are reasonably well established. What happened or happening behind the scenes:

• There was no process buy in
• Processes established in many instances were cumbersome

• Process adherence were considered by some a great thing as long as it is someone else job.

The big gig is the process buy in. It is amazing in that it fixes pretty much every thing else.

Conducing a PROCESS SNAP SHOT meetings that are short (no longer than a hour) targeted at specific activities are a great way to gain buy in especially if you have a bunch of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder we often refer it to PDD Process Deficit Disorder) people in the group.

The secret to these snap shot meetings is to present the WHY. The traditional approach is to explain the process and what people have to do to adhere.

Starting with the why provides the ability to people to participate in the solution. In John case the why was formulated based on making the customer happy. To do so each job required the right people based on the job complexity, the right equipment and all the materials required to perform. Most simple when you are only doing one job when you have to do this with hundreds of jobs the simple becomes complex.

The snap shot meeting need not try to resolve all the issues but it must be focused on at least one key activity. In johns case the activity could be materials acquisition. The secret is to present alternative ways of doing things before the current or required process is reinforced.

John could be the person that does the ordering however this would mean that he would have to ensure that the items are delivered at the right place in the right quantities with the  components in place.

Demonstrating how this would impact John life may change the way that John feels about what needs to be done opening the door to gain the buy in on what the right way should be.

I know that after reading this may think that it seems so obvious but the reality is that so few organizations focus on effective process. Fewer revise and review process effectiveness on an ongoing basis.

Please make the snap shot meeting part of your agenda within other meetings that you hold. By focusing on one activity you good outcomes in short periods of time.

By Andre Gien

Andre and his team provide business improvement programs using your financial statements as the foundation for discovery and opportunity identification.

We deliver business performance as measured in your financial statements that improve profit cash and returns. Linking strategy, people and process to financial statement outcomes.