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February 2023
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WHAT IS SEEN IS THE REALITY1/30/2019 I have been browsing some websites of organizations lately.
I noticed a few things that stand out from my observation. 1. Websites that are dated are not tended and updated on a regular basis. 2. Websites that are unattractive are dated and not updated too. 3. Websites of organizations that are unattractive have disadvantages because people do not want to spend more time learning about the organization, therefore not being able to get them to donate, get involved, and become their supporters 4. Websites that are not well-maintained reflects the organization in a negative light, either they are too preoccupied with their operations, have no resources to get better websites or they do not care how they look online All these things are assumptions people tend to make when they visit a website and found it lacking in many ways. What we see with our own eyes is reality. And when we a great website, we know that the organization is probably great or doing a good job with their mission. These assumptions are made on the basis of the first impression- the online presence. Make your online presence the best representation of the organization- interesting, relevant, and well-differentiated.
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THE SEARCH FOR PERFECT STRATEGIES1/28/2019 Organizations looking for the perfect strategy ends up shooting their foot in the process.
There is no such thing as a perfect strategy. Strategies are products of their own time and influences. It is what you make it collectively that will create the conditions for proper implementation and engagement. There is too much time devoted to planning that as soon as the strategies are done, the tendency is to undermine it by saying the strategies aren't good enough for their standards, etc. The real reason behind the dissatisfaction is not because the strategies aren't any good. It is because they cannot implement it in a way that justifies their actions. Having another strategy to conform to another set of conditions is like putting monies down the drain. Unless the conditions that impede or block effective implementation are addressed, the organization is acting like the cycling hamster. Too much effort for nothing.
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LOSING EFFORTS WITHOUT LOSING YOURSELF1/21/2019 What can you say of a person that tries to lose more monies in a bad deal? It starts with S and ends with D.
In the face of overwhelming evidence that the deal, business, venture, or enterprise is doomed to fail, why it's even possible that more resources are being invested to it? Is it wishful thinking, or losing face, or not looking bad in the eyes of the neighbors? Is it about pride? Is it about bad data or bad analysis? Is it about fear of facing the reality or consequences? It is about not accepting that it failed? Regardless, it is a bad idea to pour money over bad money. The logic of the day is to cut your losses and run! But when people stubbornly refuse to let go of a failed venture, and turned a blind eye on reality, it is more emotional than anything logical at this point. You can teach a person to become logical about decision-making but you can't teach a person to be honest with himself. Being authentic starts from within.
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PLANNING FOR STATUS QUO?1/16/2019 Are you planning to improve your organization this year? or are you gearing up to do the same-old, same-old?
A lot of organizations these days tend to do the latter. They think that by cruising along and being more busy (than means doubling up on the amount of programs and activities), they are being strategic and effective. Effectiveness here means in my vocabulary the ability to achieve the outcomes and results they wish to seek through their efforts. Businesses, nonprofits, and governments cruising along and wishfully thinking that they can copy past success by doing the same thing are totally misled. If there is no effort to improve and surpass past year's performance, status can keeps mean sweeping the problem under the rug delaying the resolution of some of the issues pestering the organization that will actually help the organization move forward. Are you stalling to discuss the next direction of your organization for fear of catching more problems than anticipated? What about the changing environment where complacency doesn't do you any good? Get out of your comfort bubble and tackle the obstacles in building a new and secure strategic direction before an overwhelming situation compels it at your own expense
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NEGOTIATE FOR YOUR INTEREST1/11/2019 This is one of the learnings of all time.
If you want to get a better deal, ask for it. Negotiating your interest and what favors you is very important. There is no one on earth who can actually speak for you than yourself. Whether it is asking for a raise, getting your internet provider/cable costs reduced, getting clients to honor payment deadlines, subcontractors working on their deliverables, buying a house, getting bought out, selling your business, these things do not go in your favor naturally. The other party would have their interests as their main driver/motivation. Did you notice that usually the one giving advice to you has their interest on their own and not yours? Some time ago, a new acquaintance said that I have to get trained on this particular model to get a particular client's business or even attention. Well, to tell you the truth, getting to another training to get certified is not the best use of time. It does not guarantee business at all. With that and a ticket, you can get on the bus. There is nothing wrong with getting your deal the way that you want it. Sometimes, you wont and sometimes you do. But asking all the time and not accepting blindly what is being offered is the best policy. Have you actually asked for a better deal? Do not ask for permission, ask for a better deal.
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WHAT BUSINESS ARE YOU IN?1/9/2019 This is one of the best questions you can ask an organization.
What business are you in? If you are selling ice cream, you can't be selling computers next year. That is out of your character, identity, and your mission. If selling the highest quality of ice cream all over the world is your objective, then please stick to that and do not attempt to be the best of something else, or else, you lose your personality and you confuse your audience, market, and buyers. The tendency to be-all for everyone is a strong temptation. Resisting is a must if you can be seen as a credible player in your field. The marketplace is very unforgiving. It does not care if you lose focus or patience. It is for the quickest and the strongest of all. Clear differentiation is the best weapon for businesses to stand out in the crowd. You may be the best barber or social media or marketing professional, but if you do not provide the clear value proposition and significant difference from the pack, it will be hard to attract the right audience for what you do. It is in the mind of your audience that you have be in the front, centre, and clearly the best choice of all.
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TIME MANAGEMENT IS SELF-MANAGEMENT1/9/2019 Have you noticed that whatever effort you put to manage your time it ended up poorly?
Well, time management is self-management. If you cannot manage yourself, set healthy boundaries, and intentionally create that balance that you need to succeed in all aspects of life: self, family, business, spirituality, abundance, and belonging- then, it will not happen in your life time. Don't let time wasters and disruptions occupy your schedule. There is time to check in for emails, texts, and calls that can wait until you are done. Returning an important call can be scheduled within a few hours in a day. Don't cram your schedule to the maximum feeling like you have accomplished more but in fact, you run yourself out of fuel and have not really made any progress towards quality but just ticking the to-do lists of assorted unrelated tasks. Cluster your work in the way that it comes together strategically operating on the best use of time for that greatest result that you can get out of it. Take time to have peace and calmness in your mind. The last thing that you can do is stay up late and being unable to sleep because the preoccupation of the mind has not settled in. Being grateful for how the day turned out regardless, is the best antidote for a restless sleep. Spend more time with family and those you love and cherish the most. They wont be there all the time with you. When work is done, close the computer, table, phone, laptop, and other electronic devices and focus on creating memories that last. Time well spent start with the end in mind (Stephen Covey). There are many things to do but are you doing the right things or doing things right? Quality versus quantity. Efficiency versus Effectiveness.
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LOSING MOMENTUM1/9/2019 After the holidays, my family went home recently and started to resume our normal routines. My husband said that he lost the momentum after a while- eating more than usual, staying late than usual, and doing less than usual! I, myself, have felt the same thing. The body started to entropy and lost the formal balance when not being used to its former state.
That is the same as in many businesses and organizations that lose its balance, fell prey to the recent shiny object, and wasted enormous amount of energy looking for that formula for success. One County Manager has asked me, 'what is your secret, Maiden to that success in engagement? I said, there is no secret. You put in work, day in and day out, and accomplish what you have set out to do, even surpass it. The secret (which is the book) is the biggest scam on earth including all the pyramid schemes that exist. Until now, people fall prey to it despite the fact that is proven to be fake and unethical, keeping the founders rich but not the latest entrants. People want quick fixes for less amount of money, time, and energy. The momentum allows us to keep doing what we ought to being done at less energy because we are in that zone. Some call it the field, or some call it, just everyday effectiveness, which is to me, what is it all about, sans all the esoteric names some gurus put to it. The problem with all of organizations and businesses is that they prolonged the time to go back to current performance and preoccupation because of many disruptions, distractions, and discontinuities that prevail in their minds. The longer you return to your normality (whatever new normal would that be) the harder it gets. Being in limbo is not a good thing. If you want to get more effectiveness insights, subscribe to my newsletters or contact me at the Contact Page for more support for your organization. Please email directly at engage@globalstakesconsulting.com. |
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