This got me thinking about how my use of software has moved from the desktop to the web over the past few years.

This has not been a conscious or deliberate change and I’ve been analysing what has driven this:

1. Development Technologies - have improved to allow web applications to be created more quickly and with more functionality and usability
2. Infrastructure – lower costs  have made deployment environments with great reliability possible
3. Cost – reduced cost of development and deployment has resulted in low (free!) cost online applications
4. Mobility – my work has required access to information, data and applications wherever I am, using multiple devices
5. Confidence – I have more “trust” in the security and longevity of providers
6. Accessibility – the proliferation of “good” web access at home, work and roaming WiFi has made access almost a given
7. Risk reduction – whether it be data backup or replacement applications I have a combination of simple “standby” options that will keep me operational whatever happens.

Although there are few areas where I still need my powerful notebook/desktop I wonder how long it will be before I move to the latest generation of Netbooks and desktop applications are a thing of the past?….

Are you the same? What issues stop you or are you already a web based Netbook worker?

Be passionate, never stop learning and always aim to enjoy it

I find everything else is a lot easier when I do this.

Passion – if you are going to do anything, have some feeling/passion about it otherwise you can never achieve what you are capable of, or give the task/project what it deserves. I don’t understand why people approach things with anything less than 100 per cent effort and commitment. It’s fine to question what you are doing or why, but then move forward with passion! You are often judged by how well you deal with the less inspiring things and I can guarantee you will do a better job and time will fly if you inject a little passion.

Learning – I have always enjoyed learning new things and never pass up the chance to add to my knowledge. When I make errors or things go wrong I always try to find out why and learn from it. I am equally inspired by new technology as I am by discovering an area of history I didn’t know about – I guess I am just lucky to have that kind of mind.

Enjoy it – why not?…..it’s not about taking things lightly or not caring.  It’s about a state of mind…..

If you can’t follow this rule, then go and find something else to do….life is certainly short enough already

“The one thing you need to know about sustained individual success: Discover what you don’t like doing and stop doing it.”
Marcus Buckingham, The One Thing You Need to Know

So often I hear people (especially at grass roots level) say “because we have to have it for legal reasons” or “because it’s the right thing to do” or even sometimes “it’s only political correctness”.

Clearly IT IS the right thing to do and there are legal requirements BUT focusing solely on these presents it as a requirement or even a rule/negative point – especially for those who feel they fit into the highlighted groups!

To me it’s far more positive and proactive than that – it’s the right business decision!

Having the best people from all backgrounds, cultures, sexes etc is common sense – why?

• Best people - surely you want the best people? If so then you MUST work to attract people from everywhere OR you miss out – unless you believe that only old white Anglo Saxon men can contribute!
• Reflect your audiences – if you are going to sell or service a particular audience you MUST reflect them – if not how can you honestly know what they need and want?

Ask yourself:

• If 80% of my customer base is female why does my team and management and board not reflect this?
• If I provide services to homeless people, how many of my team have ever lived on the streets?
• If 50 pct of my products are bought by people over 45 then why is my whole r&d team aged under 25?
• If I am looking for new blood then where should I look – perhaps the real “new” and exciting people don’t read the same old publications?

The point is that equal opportunities and diversity are VITAL, ESSENTIAL and POSITIVE for the future of your organisation NOT just because you have to….

Too often I see the extremes: on the one hand, cut-throat operations that have little care for those who don’t put in 15+ hours work a day or dare to have a home life, whilst on the other hand, the so called “caring” employers who simply remove any form of monitoring or accountability, allowing people too often to do as they please.

For some reason, “softly softly” organisations appear to feel that avoiding issues of non-performance or lack of commitment is acceptable and even appreciated by staff! On the flip side, I see people sidelined, left behind and eventually pushed out for lacking the so called “right attitude”.

In both cases, the so called “leaders” are only fooling themselves.

We spend the majority of our adult life in organisations and I feel we should start off with some facts as I see them:

• Enjoyment - people would rather enjoy coming to work than dread it
• Entrepreneur – I believe everyone has it in them to contribute, to add something and everyone starts off wanting to do so
• Expectation – people deserve to know what is expected of them and how they fit in
• Every role – if their role does not contribute to the organisation, then it’s better to question why and deal with it
• Everyone - if you have a workforce of 64 people, then 64 people should be involved, consulted and rewarded
• Excellence – if you don’t want to strive to do an excellent job in everything you do, then go and do something else!
• Explain – people must be told what is happening – good and bad – with the organisation and their contribution
• Educate – always invest in helping people improve their skills and contribution

I believe the right way is to create an environment where everyone buys into the “Cause”, where you continually strive for excellence, where everyone has a part to play and knows what it is, where everyone is helped to develop themselves – maybe even enjoy doing it!

Surely it’s better than the alternative?

From the numerous things he said I added my own interpretation and came up with a short list of MUST HAVES for success:

• The “Cause” - the organisation (department or team) to understand and believe in
• The Location - somewhere people want to come to with the space to do things
• The People (right) – realise you are not Tiger Woods – you need others to do that stuff
• Plan – short term detail/longer term concept – get the balance right
• Do stuff - “FIRE” – quick wins and keep moving
• Learn/change/adapt - do more stuff
• Consult everyone - a team of 60 is a TEAM of 60 – always!
• Decency - give respect, grace, integrity
• Communicate – personal!
• Persevere
• Support - at every stage – financial/administration …..

All sounds so simple!

www.tompeters.com

….he also said…..

A Leader…..MUST be determined to create a legacy of earthshaking transformation in their domain create/must necessarily create organizations which are …no less than Cathedrals in which the full and awesome power of the Imagination and Spirit and native Entrepreneurial flair of diverse individuals is unleashed … In passionate pursuit of jointly perceived soaring purpose and personal and community and client service Excellence.

Think!

He has a great list to follow:

1. Ready. Fire! Aim.

2. If it ain’t broke … Break it!

3. Hire crazies.

4. Ask dumb questions.

5. Pursue failure.

6. Lead, follow … or get out of the way!

7. Spread confusion.

8. Ditch your office.

9. Read odd stuff.

10. Avoid moderation!

Worth thinking about

www.saatchikevin.com

1. Movement - in all you do/say/act, think about how you move and the message it sends

2. Focus - future/positive things – ALWAYS

3. Language - use questions; choose positive words

You set the tone

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Gandhi

1. The CEO must own the marketing – how often do I see the top person ignore this!

2. Keep the marketing team small and flat – avoid large/layered organisations

3. Maintain direct contact with customers

4. Be careful with market research

5. Hire missionaries not marketeers – love this one

6. Love and respect customers – not numbers

7. Create customer communities

8. Rethink the marketing mix

9. Use common sense and be fresh and different

10. Be true to the Brand

Interesting ideas and certainly food for thought

www.samhillonline.com

Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive – Harvey Mackay

Almost 20 years since I first read it, but I still stopped, sat down and spent a couple of hours enthralled by it…

Hundreds of thoughts and observations including:

• You’ll always get the good news; it’s how quickly you get the bad news that counts
• Little things don’t mean a lot; they mean everything
• Treat your people the way you treat your customers
• There is no future in saying it can’t be done

More information…Amazon >>