3 ways to get better value from your overheads

In difficult times such as these, the first reaction can be to cut overheads to the bone.
I would recommend getting more value from what you’ve got before instigating across the board cuts.
For this purpose I would define overheads as all departments who are providing central services and not dealing direct with the customer – this [...]

8 steps to developing a great organisational culture

STEP ONE – THE TWO V’S
Align vision and values with the business and human resource objectives. Add context to ensure understanding.

STEP TWO – OBSESSED ABOUT PEOPLE

Be as obsessed about your internal customers as you are your external customers. Use the five reward levels – just for fun, no cost, low cost, achievement and [...]

Planning next year’s strategy

Over the last few weeks I have been meeting with each of our managers to discuss their plans for their service over the next few years. Today I spent a bit of time pulling it all together to give some structure to next year.

Photo: shoothead
Things naturally fell into three categories which I will be expecting [...]

Is how you do something more important than the result?

Do you remember at school when you had to show your workings to get full marks? Just giving the right answer wasn’t enough you had to show how you got there.
Most people are constantly looking for quick, easy solutions to problems which require the minimum of effort. But does this miss the point? Is the [...]

Use the right tools to be effective

Today I saw a guy trying to cut back a huge hedge with a small pair of shears.
I guess he’s still going at it now and not making much progress.
The moral of the story?
If you want to be effective in your activities then you need to find the right tool.
This could be the right piece [...]