2007-07-20

BJ#11 Process & Execution

Talking is Just the Start - Need to Do it
Most people have the understanding that talking is enough. Issues are raised in meeting and ended when the meeting ends. There is no follow-up work. They, even CEOs, may feel that their job is to raise the issue and others are to do the work. Knowing the issue and do nothing about it is like building on the sands Mt 7:24-27 ... the rain descended, the floods came,.... great was its fall. Business Magazine surveys show that <10% style="font-weight: bold;">Doing is About Process
We need to design and align the Processes that deliver the maximum impact on our chosen customers. In the Strategy Map driven Balanced Scorecard We have set-up measures and targets for the Internal Process Strategic Objectives (SO). If we have SO and there is no process, we need to design one. If there is a process, but the SO target is not achieved, then we need to change the process to one that can achieve the target.

Just Do it
Once we have designed the Process, then we must boldly do it accordingly. Go the customers and deliver your product & services - Mark 1:39 Jesus went to their meeting places to preach and cast out demons. Do not worry Mat 6:34 (this verse does not tell us not to plan, just not to worry but trust God). Do those thongs under your control, leave the growing or changes to God.
  • Mark 4:26-29 (KJV) ... a man should cast seed into the ground; [27] And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. [28] For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. [29] But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Operation Excellence
Almost all companies' strategies include the Operation Excellence theme. It involves principles taught by Jesus.
  1. Proper Use of Things.
    Mark 2:21 ...is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
  2. Watchout for the Multiplier Effects - Both ways - For Good or Bad
    Mark 4:30-32 (KJV) [31] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: [32] But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
  3. Sharing of Best Practices
    Mark 5:19 (KJV) Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
  4. Internalize the Practice, not just for show (or to pass ISO certification)
    Seeing the practice as a guide for efficiency and effectiveness and not as a necessary evils improve the performance in the long run. Following them not just to the letters of the laws but in the spirit is key for productivity.
    • Fasting Mat 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
    • Giving Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
    • Praying Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

  5. The Template - Get them Aligned towards Types of Customers Served.
    Typical company processes have the following and we need to have processes designed for them. The key is not just the processes but the design must be aligned to deliver the impact on the customers. For example, a company trying to build intimate key customer relationship must have its processes tuned to deliver that intimate relationship of trust, flexibility, innovation etc. It cannot be supported by a process that produce goods and services for the general customers. e.g. Dell's processes for the retail customers cannot be used to support IBM's key intimate customers.

    The Value Chain:
    Supply (SCM) -> Production -> Distribute -> Customer (CRM)
    ...............\---- Corp Perf Mgt (EIS, ESS, CPM) --/

    For Customer Relationship Management (CRM), the selection, acquiring, retention and growth.

    There is need for Innovation and also to be aware of the Government and other Regulatory controls. There is a need for Risk Management through out the engagement process from Customers to the Suppliers.

  6. Innovation
    This area is the greatest needs for any company to days. With globalization and Internet, many barriers are broken. Breaking free from commoditized world and markets by creating your own new differentiated market needs innovations. Innovations is more than just technology breakthrough. It could be in processes, services, and business models. There are many companies selling breads but Breadtalk seems to out shine and out run others. Old Chang Kee used to be just a small shop selling Curry Puff but is now an internationally business.

    Innovation relates to creativity. Most people were taught that Creativity means Breaking Rules. That is not a correct wording. Breaking Rules should be changed to "Breaking man made traditions, prejudices, biases, lies and deception" and "Knowing the Real Truth".

    • John 8:32 ... know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
      Lie is an untruth or deception that we thought is the truth and that binds us.

    Creativity is not limited by lack resources. Everyone can do more when given more. The larger companies you are competing with have more resources to outdo you. It takes creativity to do more with less. Please read my BVITS for systematic break through innovations and my blog on thinking to become more innovative.

  7. Follow Deming - Blame the System not the Trained People

    If a process does not deliver the targets, change the process and not blame the people, especially when they have be trained do the job accordingly. Please read the writings of E W Deming. The key thoughts are:

    • All measure has a value and a variation. Take actions only when they are out of control limits. Don't jump on variation within the limits.
    • Don't fire the people when the system is at faults
See also Bible for Business Seminar#12 Processes
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BJ#0 Business According to Jesus TOC --|--BJ#12 Learning & Growth - Strategic Job Roles

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