Author Archives: Inspiring Innovations, Inc.
TRIPLE III TIME: Quality Ownership
“The backbone of Total Quality Management at its biggest challenge, is motivating all employees and the company’s suppliers to achieve quality goals. Leaders of the quality movement use various methods and resources to foster a quality focus, such as training, verbal encouragement, teamwork, and trying compensation to work quality. When those efforts succeed, employees and suppliers will ultimately accept quality ownership, the idea that quality belongs to each person who creates it while performing a job.”
This excerpt taken from a book entitled: Business Essentials, written by Ronald J. Ebert and Ricky W. Griffin provides a solid statement of why and how everyone in your workplace needs to support Quality Ownership.
Whether you work in a private or public sector employment situation, knowing the responsibility for providing quality products and services to everyone that walks through the door… is YOUR job! The costs for poor quality at all levels in an organization or business can result in lost revenue, increased competition, negative public opinions and even loss of reliable employees. And with the unbelievable expansion and speed of social media messaging… the sharing of poor quality service or product examples often gets shared faster than good information.
Bottomline: Never… NEVER underestimate the high-value nature of providing quality outputs. If you are in a one-on-one meeting… be sure you share accurate, up-to-date, relatable information to your customer. Regardless of what service level the individual you are meeting with comes to you for help… quality never should be taken for granted.
Also, I believe it is critical that everyone should think about quality if it’s YOUR name on the company door. And that view of Quality Ownership should bring out your best everyday… EVERYDAY!
LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast: Succession Planning “EXTRAS”
Did you ever have the opportunity to participate in a succession planning activity when an employee decides to leave…and/or retire. It is always a challenge finding the new – right person but typically you only hear the “succession” word when an employee is leaving or retiring… right?
Well this month’s Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast recommends taking the traditional limits off the succession planning activity and offers a few Succession Planning “EXTRAS”!
There is a lot of discussion contained in this LEARNING MOMENTS message. Maybe listen to it a few times to make sure all the podcast minutes make progress sense!
TRIPLE III TIME: What’s in YOUR Professional TOOL BOX?
Diversity on-the-job seems to be growing… no matter the occupation you hold. Whether it is the list of expectations contained in a job description… or pops-up as one of those “Other Duties As Assigned”… expanding the duties of many employees has become a more standard mode-of-operation.
So is there anything specific one can do to better prepare for this workforce expansion area? Well maybe a quick review of: What’s In YOUR Professional TOOL BOX?… is a good place to start.
First it is important to understand that your Professional TOOL BOX is not just a copy of your resumé and related credentials. Rather your TOOL BOX is a physical and mental container of products, information and materials that exemplify why you are solid, growing professional. Consider a personal FACT SHEET that contributes to concepts that make you special in the workplace. Something different than a resumé but highlights similar growth achievements and your potential assets to the organization?!
Next I believe your TOOL BOX should contain a list of unique values you offer to any job. Do others know what YOU consider important employment and responsibility values? Also rather than a standard list of professional references… how about an extended list of teachers that have made a difference in your world and/or colleagues that you have partnered/worked with to make a product/service better or more profitable?
A computer and cell phone in your professional TOOL BOX would be more than logical and appropriate… as long as they were always up-to-date and flexible enough for any progressive opportunity that may occur. Today’s world demands more adaptability, critical foresight, managed patience and a pre-packaged TOOL BOX of confidence.
So seriously challenge yourself today and ask: What’s In YOUR Professional TOOL BOX?
TRIPLE III TIME: Success Requires CONTINUOUS Energy & Passion
Sometimes the “right” TRIPLE III TIME topic seems to find me… just when I need it most.
This week was the official start of classes for the community college I teach American Government & Politics for. And as always I began my “restart” planning by searching for some of my old class beginnings notes. But because my filing system has gotten worse every year… I felt a strong “anxiety pain” when I couldn’t’ find any of my old stuff! However, weirdly I pulled out an article I had copied long ago by Richard St. John (a very successful marketer) that was titled: Be A Success By Playing The Long Game. And in it I had highlighted a quote that said: “Success is NOT a “one and done” deal… but something that requires continuous energy and passion!”
Well guess what… I drafted a brand new set of class start-up notes and yes they were more accurate, current and full of modern energy and passion about the political world we live in. But how does this experience translate into a cool TRIPLE III TIME message? Well in basic terms I guess what I am trying to say is to never assume what worked in the past is good enough going forward. Think about it. If you want to be continuously successful in whatever you do… you must always remember what actions you took to be successful in the past… and be equally creative and innovative and unique for your organizational or company “long-game.”
Bottomline: Sometimes people sit back and feel good in their past success “comfort zone” and actually stop doing special things that made them a “stand-out” in the first place. So, was I falling into that “comfort zone” by using my old class start-up notes from past years for NEW students? YES! I guess old habits don’t change quick.
Therefore… we all need to remember that innovative and creative Success Requires CONTINUOUS Energy & Passion! Don’t substitute old options for groups that deserve your best newness everyday… EVERYDAY!
TRIPLE III TIME: “Giving Back”… Does NOT Have To Wait!
Many times as people age and they think back about their careers…achievements…family highlights…and/or special events that they were part of…they become involved in actions of sharing these unique occurrences with others as a form of “Giving Back”. And just to be clear about what “Giving Back” is all about…here is a Google definition:
“The act of giving back is the altruistic dedication of your time, resources, money, or skills to support, improve, or uplift your community or society at large, often driven by a sense of gratitude for your own opportunities or success.”
I can’t remember at what point in my life/career I started making “Giving Back” a regular priority…but for sure I will admit that age 60 comes to mind! But now in retrospect…I realize and try to let everyone know: “Giving Back”…Does NOT Have To Wait! It should not be just a “retirement time thing”!
Think about a high school senior telling 6th graders about the challenges and benefits of playing sports or being involved with music programs? Or young adults sharing their beginning jobs stories with teenagers and the benefit of showing up on time…stepping up for special assignments and/or learning more about the business/organization that employs them.
“Giving Back”…Does NOT Have To Wait!
Volunteering to help a senior citizen with their yard work or a veteran that needs a better ramp to enter their home can be an any-age opportunity. Or maybe tutoring an elementary student…not because you are a retired teacher…but because you are a middle-aged person studying to become a teacher! Or in any occupational area…when you “go-the-extra-mile” and complete a project ahead of schedule and quietly give the “new-be’s” a solid work ethic example to follow.
Never have a doubt that YOU have the potential to make a difference by “Giving Back” whenever you can…no matter your age, work history or family situation. And always remember: “Giving Back”…Does NOT Have To Wait!
TRIPLE III TIME: “MY ACE For The Week”
How many times when you start a conversation with someone and the first part of it is always a “report” about something negative? You all know what I mean! When you basically ask someone: “How is it going?” Isn’t it true that many times they say: “Work isn’t going great…the kids did something wrong…or everything in the world costs too much?”
Think about it. And yes I am talking both personally and professionally. Wouldn’t it be super progressive if we make a promise to reverse the negative first trend and possibly start every interaction with a positive concept maybe called: “MY ACE For The Week!”
Well this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message will be a fun TOP 10 list of suggestions to help you begin a creative…progressive ritual to focus more on positive actions and occurrences (ACES) impacting YOU each week. Give these some thought:
1. Look for specialized, unique… one-of-a-kind ACES every day.
2. Begin making a day-by-day list of ACES as a progress activity.
3. Plan to pick “the BEST ACE” to be “MY ACE For The Week”.
4. Allow ACES to be selected from all aspects of your life/work.
5. Determine who, when, where and how your ACE made a positive impact.
6. Select ACE areas that are NOT “all about me”.
7. Share your ACE record-keeping practice with others.
8. Consider ACES that are partner-based and share the positives.
9. Maintain an ACE log as a regular reminder that POSITIVITY MATTERS.
10. And finally NEVER believe you can’t identify an ACE for any week.
Sharing positive actions/occurrences is a good…GREAT habit to practice. Having fun with keeping track of “MY ACE For The Week” might just help those around you in the most simple of ways…looking forward instead of backward.
LEARNING MOMENTS: INNOVATION is “Easier” Today!
It is always fun to think about… write about and talk about INNOVATION! In my mind INNOVATION no matter its application, target or purpose… always provides a special spark of creative energy that has “staying power.”
Well this month in my Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENT podcast, I have tried to explain and in words demonstrate how and why: INNOVATION is “Easier” Today! In every sector, smaller spin-off ideas of INNOVATION have made a great impact in all areas of our life and work. The end result is that innovativity (I hope that’s a real word) has become more common and “Easier” than ever before.
I hope this month’s podcast motivates everyone to “exercise” their INNOVATION muscles and offer more unique options to benefit us all.
Enjoy the listen.
TRIPLE III TIME: Give Someone “The Benefit of a Doubt?”
The toughest part of any and all jobs is working with people. Everyone has a different viewpoint and opinion. Everyone has a diverse background and list of experiences. And no two people operate at the same level of intensity or urgency. RIGHT?
So when it is decision time… what is the best formula or approach to Give Someone “The Benefit of a Doubt?”
First, let me declare… I don’t have a special TRIPLE III TIME formula for giving someone “The Benefit of a Doubt?” But I do have a few recommendations of when and how to apply it. For starters TRUST is a huge factor when applying “The Benefit of a Doubt?” consideration. Whether TRUST is felt based on a long-term friendship or business partnership… giving someone “The Benefit of a Doubt?” (regarding necessary actions with family or finances) using TRUST as an initial consideration is truly appropriate.
Next I would recommend someone’s PROFESSIONAL HISTORY as a solid measuring stick for determining “The Benefit of a Doubt?” status with someone. Think about it. Does the individual have a history of positive… progressive professionalism? Do they regularly reflect a culture that encourages a growth mindset? Would others be drawn to them for advice and encouragement at home or in the workplace? PROFESSIONAL HISTORY matters!
Finally, I guess this standard of operation seems almost too simple to say… but in my career I have followed a principle to Give Someone “The Benefit of a Doubt?”… until they abuse it!! You know what I am referring to. Because sometimes you feel like you can TRUST someone and they have a pretty good PROFESSIONAL HISTORY, but for reasons you probably will never understand… they abuse or take advantage of “The Benefit of a Doubt?” privilege.
Bottomline: With today’s tremendous information-sharing and diverse life/work-based world… to Give Someone “The Benefit of a Doubt?” will take a little more consideration time and assessment. However, it is also critical for the sake of progress… to carefully assign TRUST via PROFESSIONAL HISTORY and plan for positive results.
TRIPLE III TIME: Workplace Communication
As a professional development consultant… it is necessary to look around and make sure the issues you cover with your client-customers are relevant and current. So as I was doing some research on Workplace Communication… I came across an article prepared by a group known as Compassionate Navigation that identified 5 “patterns” that are a major concern in our worlds-of-work.
Here they are:
“1. Important conversations are waiting too long. Concerns are often recognized, but conversations are delayed-sometimes for weeks or months.
2. Encouraging employees to speak up isn’t the hard part. Responding consistently is. The most common breakdown occurred after someone raised a concern.
3. This isn’t a healthcare problem. Or an education problem. The same communication challenges appeared across healthcare, education, government, nonprofit and business.
4. Most communication problems become expensive long before anyone notices them. Concerns develop and escalate quietly, creating operational, cultural, and financial costs.
5. Organizations believe earlier conversations would change outcomes. Leaders and professionals overwhelmingly believe earlier intervention would have made a difference.”
So ask yourself… do one or all of these concern areas exist/operate in your workplace? Are issues like trust, collaboration, culture, turnover, burnout and lost productivity a potential natural outcome of the communication challenges identified by the Compassionate Navigation organization?
GREAT Workplace Communication is EVERYONE’S responsibility. No matter one’s job title or area of productivity within the organization… healthy dialogue and better listening need to become and remain a major priority! The end result is that innovation and quality organization performance often become two of the best outcomes when people communicate better.
My thanks to Compassionate Navigation for re-emphasizing the high value of professional Workplace Communication within their publications and making this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message timeless in it’s progressive business application.
TRIPLE III TIME: Evolution of YOUR Brand
Today I believe it is more important than at any time in the past to consistently consider the: Evolution of YOUR Brand in the marketplace!
Now first don’t misunderstand the main point of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message. If you have a solid recognizable Brand… product… service… name… don’t take any remarketing steps to drastically change “what-got-you-there!” However, in so many business and organization situations, changes in what you represent or sell have occurred but no new promo action has been taken to give creditability/awareness to the quiet Evolution of YOUR Brand.
Think about it.
Have you initiated a new set of service opportunities… but have done little to highlight their value to our new AI times? Has your store expanded it’s line-up of more battery-driven equipment thereby allowing more “transportability” of their use? Do people (customers) really know that home visits… home delivery… home techno-service sessions can be a regular part of an agency’s/company’s progressive make-up?
In order to remain “SPECIAL” to the customers you currently service and the potential customers you would like to draw in… here are a few thoughts to improve the Evolution of YOUR Brand.
- Look at all components of your Brand promotion. Ads, flyers, radio commercials, social media posts… whatever and assess them for up-to-date (non-outdated) information.
- Review the Brand promotion efforts of your competition. Does their information seem more “cool”, modern than yours?
- Ask YOUR customers/clients their opinions on YOUR Branding efforts! Will they say: “It’s the same old stuff info”… or will their comments indicate: “I didn’t know you can help in this area or that must be brand new service!”
- Don’t allow yourself to become too comfortable with regard to the “like-ability” of your Brand.
The Evolution of YOUR Brand should/must be a regular part of your weekly planning activities. People really do care more about “where are you going”… instead of “where have you been”… with regard to Brand, products and services! Prioritize the Evolution of YOUR Brand everyday… EVERYDAY and progressive/positive results will follow.
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 