Four problem-solving guidelines for your business
Analysis requires “analysis”.
52 Maxims
How many customer’s should you have?
There is only one ‘customer’.
The key to consistently hitting your numbers
This maxim reflects one of the most important principles in our methodology for implementing changes in organizations. People manage against "requirements" much more effectively than they do against "goals."
Why it’s better to sell aspirins…
People are more prone to take action if the consequences of that action are immediate, certain, and affect them personally.
Why are ten key points, seven too many?
In our experience, three is the magical number. People absorb ideas or concepts better if they are delivered in groups of threes.
Why you can’t build yourself up by knocking down others
Never knock the competition.
Why it’s important to stand your ground
To implement change in an organization it is very important that there is mutual respect between managers and consultants (or performance improvement staff).
Why you should keep the main thing, the main thing
This maxim reminds us that it is very easy to get distracted and start putting energy and focus into areas that are not necessarily important or relevant. This can and does happen on projects, in presentations, in meetings, and in daily communication.
The never ending search for expertise
There is a tendency in our business (management consulting) to think we know quite a lot about the functional areas or businesses we study.
The importance of managing your message
Manage the headlines.
Why change requires a crisis
Change requires a crisis.
How to build business relationships that last
In project-based work like ours, a strong start is critical because the customer may be slightly uneasy having just made a significant buying decision.