and there is a RIGHT way to make them.

Remember the time you “put up” with a task or procedure at work – it was awkwardly designed or arranged and caused you needless trouble? You finally worked out a better way that would have made it safer and easier. You wanted to tell your boss, but he wasn’t the kind of guy who was easy to talk to, so you never mentioned it to him?

Your good idea died.

Or perhaps you remember a time the boss “sprung” her new method on you and you had a pretty hard time swallowing it?

And you won’t forget the time the boss had an idea and asked for your opinion. You made several sound suggestions for improvements to his plan but he never did instigate your ideas.

Perhaps you remember a time when your “better way” was put into effect—and it worked! You can still feel the satisfaction that gave you.

As a coach or supervisor, job improvement always has been a part of your job. Today you are being asked to do more with fewer resources, staff, and customers—yet still grow the bottom line.

One of the main reasons change fails is that we try to go after the big pieces first. We want to plan our new department or purchase the latest and greatest technology.

When the Wright brothers invented the flying machine, commercial air travel didn’t happen the next month, year, or even decade. It took 30 years of continuous improvement before it became a reality. And think of the improvements since then. And so it is with us.

We need to look for the hundreds of small things we can improve, such as tasks that use existing equipment. Before tackling the bigger issues, we need some small wins because it is those small wins that encourage the team.

I remember going to work for a company that had been purchased recently. Right off the bat, the new owners instituted a number of major changes and they couldn’t understand why they were facing such resistance from the employees.

They had forgotten the way you make improvements—if you want them to stick!

The following steps have worked in thousands of cases, across industries and companies.

There are FOUR steps to be followed. Don’t omit any of the steps!

Step 1: Break Down the Job

Start with any job, list all the current details and methods of a specific job. Make your list on the spot—don’t go back to your desk to research or recall details. If you do, you will overlook something.

Remember you don’t need to be the “Undercover Boss” here. Let your staff know exactly what you are doing.

Step 2: Question Every Detail

Ask questions such as these:

* Why is it necessary?
* What is its purpose?
* Where should it be done?
* When should it be done?
* Who is best qualified to do it?
* What is the best way to do it?

Question the materials, the equipment, machines, tools, product design, layout, workplace, safety, and housekeeping.

Here’s a caution. You won’t get very far until you start to see the big picture. Hold off on the urge “to fix that one item.” First get all the details. Otherwise you may improve only a part of the job and thus overlook a broader, more useful improvement.

Step 3: Develop the New Method

Eliminate unnecessary details so you aren’t wasting material or manpower. Can items be combined or possibly rearranged? Simplify all the important processes. Remember to involve all the right people from the start. Don’t work it out alone, then spring your new idea on your team. That simply won’t work.

Step 4: Apply the New Idea

You may have to sell the boss to get the trial period you need. And you may have to get the staff people more information so they will give the new method a fair shot. The bottom line, however, is that the new method can yield increased production only after it’s actually working.

By the way, make sure you give credit where credit is due. Don’t steal someone’s idea, then make people think it was your own. That will surely sabotage any future chances of success.

New methods may pop into your head without working through the four steps. That is to be expected. Those flashes will soon be exhausted. Don’t expect them to continue.

Remember your purpose is to make the job easier and safer—not to make people work harder or faster. Job improvement is not a “speed up” plan. It is to show people how to work more effectively. Keep that basic purpose in mind and you can’t fail.

Until Next Time,

Neal J. Diamond

Business Improvement Strategist

www.maximumimpact.ca

How wonderful to be alive, to observe beauty, grace and possibility, to have the freedom of choice and to contribute in significant ways to this amazing world.

It’s true, your business and community is much richer because of your life and your leadership.  Yet often the reality of a demanding schedule, the incessant appeal for your time, your skills and your resources may leave you exhausted while still longing for the grand vision that resides deep within.

Explicit awareness of personal beliefs and core values are the soulful foundation of every extraordinary influencer.   When values are not aligned self-doubt and fear, the infamous twin saboteurs, will consume a sizeable portion of your energy. The unwavering sparkle for purpose and intention will wane, the negative will begin to trump the positive and boredom, blame or criticism become the new drivers of actions and attitudes.

You may have the exceptional ability to build lofty, prestigious buildings and to leap over them with an amazing dexterity of brilliant strategies.  Yet if the foundation is not rock-solid, even the grandest architectural achievements will not stand secure in the sands of time – or vision.

Define and articulate your values every morning.  As you diligently honour them throughout the day your confidence will remain stalwart, your resolve will be as steel and you will uncover powerful options for former ‘impossibilities’.

What changes will you make to prioritize your ‘foundation’?

All that you are and all that you have to offer is built on the bedrock of your core values. Be unstoppable for that which truly matters to your heart and soul. Live your highest and best from this day forward.

Lorraine Richmond
Certified Life Coach
New Day Life Coaching

Good Leadership is the unseen key behind all success. Poor leadership or lack of leadership is evident to everyone in the midst of failure. We readily sense when leadership is missing but hardly notice it when all is flowing well. Here are some random observations and ideas to help you take notice of your leadership and ramp up your success in 2010:

1-“Rules without Relationship Leads to Rebellion” – Andy Stanley

I like the way Andy Stanley phrases that. Civil, corporate or family order is important butrelationships are KING. John Maxwell says, “People don’t care what you say until they know that you care.”

Performance is often dependent on how people “feel” at any given time. When relationships are “ON” people feel better about themselves and their environment and stay on top of their game longer.

2-“Most anyone can stand adversity, but to test a man’s character give him power.” Abraham Lincoln

Power is the great leadership differentiator. Some people use power for personal gain, others use their power for the good of the whole. Power is part of leadership and the way we use or abuse the power we are given defines our leadership.

3-Leaders facilitate their team’s Energy-Generation Station

I believe that all people who are directly connected to team (which is all people!) either supply energy or suck energy. Leaders influence both inwardly and outwardly-directed team energy. Leaders must therefore constantly observe the team energy flow and influence the direction in which it is coming or going. I have heard it said that there are two types of people on every team: thermostats or thermometers; one measures the temperature and the other influences it. I disagree. We all do both. Players know the temperature of the team and actively or passively influence its fluctuation.

4-Great Leaders know they don’t have all the answers

Influence comes from not trying to have all the answers because, realistically, no one leader can. Today’s world is too complex for one person to rule. Have the “MEETING” before you have the “MEETING!”

In other words, what I now do is first have the influencing group in to discuss their ideas around the subject that I need to meet on. I develop a consensus or direction with this group, and then meet with the larger group. Having participated in creating the answers, these influencers will now help send and support the message. NHL Coach Dave King calls this technique “developing Carriers” and it works!

5-Leaders inspire their people to focus on solutions rather than complaints

People focus on what is wrong in their environment unless they are constantly reminded of where the group is heading and are invited to be part of the solution. Solutions come from input. If leaders rule with a my-way-or-the-highway approach they receive NO input and little focus on solution.

6-Great leaders know that success is a process, not a destination

John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, never focused on winning. He said, “I don’t worry too much about winning or losing. I worry (or focus) a lot on practicing the details that give us the win.” This is a leadership GIFT from the world of sport. As soon as athletes focus on the prize they take their eyes off the process that gets them the prize.

Some leaders categorize people as “winners or losers,” and this disappoints me. All of us are in the process of winning or losing throughout our lifetime. Pat Quinn mounted this great quote on the wall of his coach’s office: “A failed project is not a failed person.”Each of us is on the process road… Great Leaders help keep people focused on the “details” that give them the win!

I have closely watched these 6 leadership characteristics play out over the past 12 months across different teams in the NHL. Your team is no different than my team. These concepts create same or similar outcomes because of the “human factor.” We are all, at any moment, leading or being led.

If truth be told… every hour, every day, every season, every year… we are doing both!
“Nothing is more powerful for your future than being a gatherer of good ideas and information. That’s called doing your homework.”
- Jim Rohn

About the Author:

Ryan Walter retired from Professional Hockey in 1993 after playing 15 seasons and over 1000 games in the National Hockey League.  Following his career with the NHL, Ryan was a TV hockey analyst for Rogers Sportsnet, and a hockey adviser and actor for both television and movies.  He is currently an Assistant Coach for the Vancouver Canucks and professional speaker and leadership coach.

Ryan has a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership/Business and is the author of 3 books, Off the Bench and Into the Game, which has sold over 20,000 copies worldwide, mPower Forward -Leading Strategies for Winning Teams , and Simply the Best: Insights and Strategies from Great Hockey Coaches, and the creator of the board game Trade Deadline Hockey.

To be your very best in 2010 let Ryan deliver his inspiring videos, articles and podcasts every Monday Morning sign up at www.inspiringyourbestgame.com