So you’re facing a bit of a business crisis. It might mean answering to shareholders, investment being put on hold, or even layoffs.
At a lower level, it may be that bonuses aren’t paid, promotions are passed over or individuals are held accountable.
It’s a problem, right?
Wrong.
How can the result be THE problem, when the result comes at the end?
Yes, the result may cause a problem and bring consequences, leading to a different set of decisions.
The real problem came earlier – and it was probably one of these:
- The Unhelpful Mindset. Often driven by the size of the target, the quality or price position of the product or service or even how well your people feel supported by their manager, colleagues or other departments will reduce performance.
- Reward Strategies. It could be the way you manage your people. Do they feel valued and appreciated? If there is a perception that others are valued more, then this ‘treatment’ will lead to a sense of unfairness and unhappiness and lower productivity – or worse.
- Systems and Processes that make it hard for people to do their job can be immensely frustrating. Whether I am trying to win business, serve customers or support the internal teams I want to feel like I have the tools to do my job well. ‘Fighting the internal systems and processes is frustrating and reduces productivity. Worse still, you’ll lose your good people.
- Measurement. When you measure the wrong things, you not only drive the wrong behaviours and limit your performance, you seriously p*** off your people. They don’t get it and you end up creating value destroying processes just to report on the wrong things.
Facing one of these issues is bad enough, but more than one and you’re in big trouble!
Ask yourself – to what extent …
… is your peoples’ mindset focused on ‘how to’?
… is the way you reward and acknowledge their contribution motivating them?
… are your systems and processes enablers for your people?
… do you measure the things that add the most significant value to your business?
Thinking Focus specialises in transforming business performance by unlocking potential in people. Why not give us a call to discuss your current situation and how we can help? You can also tune in to our podcast series – ‘The Question is…’ available now on iTunes.