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November 27, 2006
What Information Do You Need?
This past weekend, I ran across an interview with late Peter F. Drucker (the absolute guru of management and widely acclaimed as the father of modern management) who was discussing the role of the computer and it's effect on management. In the interview with Computerworld editor, Gary Anthes, Drucker noted 4 very important points that got me to thinking:
1) technology's greatest impact has been to automate traditional operations (his comment was that a bureaucrat is an expensive microchip).
2) we get hypnotized by the technology that we don't look at what real results we need (we can do things with the computer faster and faster but are we looking at doing the right things?)
3) the second most important question that an executive can ask (not only of the IT team but also of oneself) is: what information do I need, in what form, and in what frequency to most effectively do my job?
4) Finally, the most critical question that an executive can and should ask of oneself is "what do I expect to achieve and what performance do I expect of myself?" He then takes it one step further to suggest that the executive sit down with the person who manages the executive to see if the executive's and senior executive's lists are congruent.
Posted by chitch at 8:19 AM | Comments (0)
November 20, 2006
Thank a Vet Today
Veteran's Day was last Saturday and I missed the opportunity to thank the thousands of Veterans in our local Veteran's Day Parade.
This past week, I was fortunate enough to sit in on some classes where I was snout to jowl next to a number of men and women who were logistics experts and learning more about management and leadership. I have not frequently enough taken the time to simply say "thank you" to these vets. Some went unwillingly, some still battle demons, most are proud of their service, and many are on both sides of the debate over our involvement in the Middle East,but whatever their story, our country is "The land of the free because of the brave."
Thanks to Scott, Roger, Larry, Maria, Tim, Jeff, Dan, Don, Jeramiah and the untold number like you who have kept our families safe.
Posted by chitch at 7:26 PM | Comments (0)
November 18, 2006
America's Best Leaders (from US News and World Report)
The October 30 issue of U.S. News and World Report (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/leaders/) has as their cover story a ranking of America's Best Leaders. One of the comments of the reporter noted that:
"What, then, is the 21st-century leader all about? It is being authentic, uniquely yourself, the genuine article. Authentic leaders know who they are. They are "good in their skin," so good they don't feel a need to impress or please others. They not only inspire those around them, they bring people together around a shared purpose and a common set of values and motivate them to create value for everyone involved."
They have profiled 18 people as their leaders this year-I was impressed with the mix of backgrounds-public, private, nonprofit, government, old, young.
Well worth checking out.
Link is http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/leaders/
Posted by chitch at 8:43 PM | Comments (1)
November 14, 2006
Escaping from PowerPoint Purgatory (part 2)
An earlier post on PowerPoint Purgatory noted some suggestions on improving your PowerPoint slides. Worked with a client this week who was trying to put together a presentation for a group and he had over 120 slides (which he agreed was too much). He wasn't ready to go to a complete version of pictures and wanted to start by just cutting down on the number of slides and words on the slide. After some time together, r we came up with some "rules" for his presentation:
1-What do you want to accomplish with the presentation?
2-Who is the audience?
3-No more than 12 words per slide
4-Remember it is NOT an art project or movie-the transition effects are a distraction, not a help
5-What 3-5 questions will they want answered?
6-What are your answers?
THAT is your PPT presentation.
Posted by chitch at 8:28 AM | Comments (0)
November 12, 2006
The Saltshaker Theory of Management
The October edition of Inc. magazine had a guest column about Danny Meyer, who has received a great deal of buzz recently. Mssr. Meyer is a restauranteur who first came to my attention when I read Small Giants, by Bo Burlingame (good read, by the way).
Since then, he has been in a number of articles ranging from the Wall Street Journal to the Inc magazine article. I'm constantly on the lookout for better ways to manage, lead, and communicate with others. Meyer's bit on "Constant Gentle Pressure" is a good reminder:
Constant-never lower your standards
Gentle-coach and reteach while keeping other's dignity intact
Pressure-consistency and watching to make sure that the core of excellence stays intact.
The rest of the article is well worth the 5 minutes to read but fair warning-the implications of this article has kept me thinking on my daily commute....
Posted by chitch at 3:02 AM | Comments (0)
November 5, 2006
Another David Maister Gem
Here's another Maister gem.
On one of his recent posts, he asks the question, "Think about the best manager you have ever experienced. What specific things did this person DO that made them so effective in raising your performance?
Please share real stories about real people-no theories, generalizations, or principles.
What did the BEST manager do?
Posted by chitch at 5:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 2, 2006
A School Principal's Blog
Last evening, I ran across a blog by a school principal in AZ. I've never met Steve Poling but I enjoyed reading his perspectives on the principalship.
Hats off to him for sharing his perspective.
Interesting reading.
C
Posted by chitch at 10:40 PM | Comments (1)