simple problem = less time, complex problem = more time

Today I talked with A/P department for one of our larger government customers. We had two invoices outstanding with them, both of which had a problem with their respective packing slips. In trying to solve the problem, the conversation went something like this:

Andrew: "When can we expect payment on these two invoices?"
Customer: "Their is a problem with the packing slips for both of them."
(pause)
Andrew:"What is the problem?"
Customer: "One is missing the sizes."
Andrew:"Ok, both of them or just one?"
Customer:"Just one."
(pause)
Andrew:"Ok, what is the problem with the other?"
Customer:"Its missing two sizes. I faxed you the one that was missing one size."
(pause)
Andrew:"Can you fax me the other?"
(pause...the customer sighs...)
Customer:"Yes."

While this doesn't blatantly outline a lack of problem solving ability, it was a 2 minute conversation that should have been 15 seconds. There was a clear simple solution that it seemed like the customer was trying to get around, for one reason or another. Maybe she was busy, maybe not. It was a poor reflection on her. If she made something as simple as this so complicated, what about a complicated problem? It reminds me to find the logical, simple answer as quickly as possible. When trying to find the quickest solution to a mutual (customer/supplier) problem, find the one that creates the LEAST mutually-combined inconvenience. Even better, take on the inconvenience, people will appreciate it.

Strangers

So I was walking down the street tonight and two ladies (mid 20's)started talking to me. They mentioned that they had been creeping on me for a couple blocks, quite funny if you ask me. But we started into a delightful conversation about Toronto and England, where one of them was from. We chatted about the CN tower and its anti-climacticness, the nature in Toronto and various other things. On a night of introspection, they provided me with a solid reminder that people are generally good. People are generally looking for someone to talk with, to connect with.

In life its easy to focus on the negative and the bad, but as a conversation walking down the can remind us, we are all alike and generally we are good. Thank you Moreen and Dahlia for the reminder.

A new course for universities to think about...

I am sitting at my desk with a pile of 'crap' that is slowing reach a depth of one foot - and four feet wide. This is one solid mass of paper, I can hear my desk creaking under the weight. So I ask myself, how is it possible that me, a university trained, moderately well-read person can't keep my desk organized. It worries me too, think of what my bosses are thinking when they walk by as well as the people that I am supposed to be leading. Time for a change, time to get organized. However, I am almost certain that 2 days from now, its going to be the same situation.

So...Why didn't they teach me about organization is high school? Why not university? While obviously this is not an original thought, it amazes me that in teaching the future leaders of tomorrow, we don't teach them the basics of self-organization. The argument may be made that each job has different requirements but each management job has similarities. Overall, things to do, things to do now, things to do RIGHT NOW and people to please. A good university course is sorely needed.

My one suggestion, for right now, is to have a list of people that you need to make happy. On this list write down what is important to these people and then each morning make sure that they are going to be happy THAT day.

I am starting off on a search (to Chapters) to find a book on management organization. Will post it once I find a good one.

Ghandi and The Secret

A few posts back I wrote about Ghandi. It was a quote from Mohadev Desai about how Ghandi was able to have his thoughts, feelings and actions in line with each other. What he thought, he felt, what he felt, he did. I will say it again, there is tremendous power in this synchronicity.

There is a good chance you have been living in a hole if you haven't heard of The Secret. However, one criticism (not too focus on the negative though) of The Secret is that it focuses too much on imagining what you want in life, neglecting to emphasize the necessary action behind each thought. Remember, when you hear a truth, lead it into each of three areas mentioned above. Don't force it, or try to trick yourself, rather use that part of your brain that if your true self. The voice that is always right, anytime you listen to it.

As an example of coordinating your inner self, say you choose not to lie and believe this to be a foundation and truth for your life. It must become a thought, a feeling and an action. Tell your mind that you have chosen not to lie anymore regardless of the consequences, feel it in your bones - I often do this by looking at great leaders and feeling their strength - and don't forget, most importantly, not to lie. This action will allow you to draw tremendous strength. A solid foundation for your life and for your mind.

James Michael Ray, from The Secret, calls it going "Three for Three". Build your thoughts, your feeling and your actions all together.

http://www.oprah.com/spiritself/slide/20070208/ss_20070208_284_105.jhtml

ADD A "FAILURES" SECTION TO MY RESUME

I think I am going to add a section titled "Failures" to my resume. The more I rustle this idea around in my head - been about 20 minutes at time of this writing - the more I like it. Everyone hears about how we should learn from our failures...that we learn more from failing than succeeding, etc etc. Logically, one can then conclude, that our failures may actually may be our successes. So why shouldn't it be on a resume?

In my life, I can count a good solid three or four real mess-ups (plus about 8 million small ones). Investments that went wrong, relationships that were ruined and events that nothing good, but what I learnt, came from them. Why NOT display them? This section will share the real estate after my education and work experience; if you think about it, its all basically experience anyways.

I will post my resume in an upcoming post that will include this Failures section. While I don't see myself searching for a job anytime in the near future (you never know tho!), it may turn out that my Failures section is, in itself, a failure. Which I then could include in my Failures section...hmm...wait a second...anyways. I heard a quote once, I like it - "If you aren't failing at something every day than you aren't trying enough". That would make a nice long resume!

Tell a Damn Good Story

I have started reading "The Dream Society" by Rolf Jensen. Six pages in and its amazing. The message so far has been tremendously revealing and as far as I can tell, true. Jensen communicates that we are leaving the Information Era and entering the Imagination Era.

In the Imagination Era, it is no longer the company with the right product or the best market research, companies with the best stories will win. Its no longer the product but the story behind the product that will drive its success. Think organic eggs. We are paying companies to be inefficient (more space for chickens), why? Because we like the idea (read idea as 'story'). These eggs we are buying are not commodity products any longer, they are stories, stories of us helping the chickens live better lives. Will we ever see this chickens or even go near a farm, not likely, but our imaginations can picture the happy little chickens with more room.

While the story behind a product will drive its success, its also applies to people as well. Nobody cares anymore what material goods you posses. Owning a Porsche on a micro level is fun, on a macro level, nobody gives a shit. What matters is your story. What you possess on the inside and what you have experienced are worth far more than what you have. So...whats your story?

So often we are in a race to get the material things that we forget that it's now the stories that will get us there (stories drive us to the material possessions). Stories are experience and people will pay for experience. Look at the next five years of your life and ask yourself, whats my story going to be?

Nasty link below to the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Society-Information-Imagination-Transform/dp/0071379681/ref=sr_1_1/102-7583050-6720922?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175739892&sr=8-1

If your not pissed off then you dont care!

I got pissed off last week. Really pissed off.

Takes a lot to get me there too! Mess with my work, my family or my health and I get mad. I have made a concentrated effort to take swearing out of my vocabulary (can express myself better) but I more than made up for the past few months. So why did I get so mad? All came down to someone being late for a very important meeting.

This person was bringing some crucial stuff and was late. It was the turning point for the whole deal and we almost messed it up. The time that I didn't spend swearing was spent trying to think of an excuse. There were none, my pants were down.

Fortunately it worked out well, albeit barely. We got the contract and our revenue is going up. But what if hadn't worked out? It all would have came down to this person being late (unnecessarily too!).

Looking back, I kinda wish I hadn't sworn or yelled as much. But the more I think about it, the more I don't mind. Lots was on the line, I had the right. Maybe it wasn't so bad that some of the employees (and bosses) saw me getting mad. Emotion is passion and I had lots of both. Sometimes it pays not to be in control and steady.

The lesson I learnt: Use being pissed off very cautiously (once quarterly). Be steady and in control the rest of the time. Don't let be being pissed off get in the way of your effectiveness and do your best to get mad at the situation, not the person.

And the advice from my mom, use the "next time" rule. Tell the person that screwed up what would be better for next time. The past is the past, help them learn from it.