13 critical skills... mastered by GREAT LEADERS
Comprehensive Self-Assessment
Comprehensive Self-Assessment
relevAnt background...
This assessment process has roots that date back to the 1980's as Dr Deming's successes in Japan with Toyota & others were rocking the manufacturing world and the research by Peters & Waterman's - In Search of Excellence - were fueling the need for an all-new BUSINESS MODEL... the world of manufacturing was undergoing a catharsis. At this same moment, I was fortunate to serve as Rockwell International's representative on the American Productivity & Quality Center's (APQC), 2-year landmark action/research study on White Collar Productivity & Leadership... all of which greatly enhanced the development of my Protocol for Leaders... much more shortly.
Subsequently as I leveraged my expertise as a Turnaround Specialist... to 6 troubled companies... Yale University - School of Management, SOM - learning of my turnaround successes, contacted me asking if I was interested in being an Adjunct Professor to their 1997 MBA class of 215 full-time MBA students. They were on a mission to improve the national ranking of their SOM School and were hoping I would instruct their Post Graduate course... The Strategic Environment of Management.
I did... and the experience was not only very enlightening for the MBA students and the SOM professors that would regularly attend... but this level of academic interface allowed me to fine tune my Leadership Protocol. So now I can offer you an unparalleled World-Class methodology to grow your leadership skills & maximize profits.
"And now... as I've moved into this new phase of my life... I am no longer working on site and charging thousands of dollars for this World-Class Turnaround Methodology... with its proven successes in the US, Europe and Mexico... but I am... >>> ???
Subsequently as I leveraged my expertise as a Turnaround Specialist... to 6 troubled companies... Yale University - School of Management, SOM - learning of my turnaround successes, contacted me asking if I was interested in being an Adjunct Professor to their 1997 MBA class of 215 full-time MBA students. They were on a mission to improve the national ranking of their SOM School and were hoping I would instruct their Post Graduate course... The Strategic Environment of Management.
I did... and the experience was not only very enlightening for the MBA students and the SOM professors that would regularly attend... but this level of academic interface allowed me to fine tune my Leadership Protocol. So now I can offer you an unparalleled World-Class methodology to grow your leadership skills & maximize profits.
"And now... as I've moved into this new phase of my life... I am no longer working on site and charging thousands of dollars for this World-Class Turnaround Methodology... with its proven successes in the US, Europe and Mexico... but I am... >>> ???
So...
Welcome To The -
'PROTOCOL FOR LEADERS'
Welcome To The -
'PROTOCOL FOR LEADERS'
MY straightf0rd business philosophy
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Q: Who is responsible for a business's profits and all of the factors... that impact its performance?
A: Of course, there are many people involved... filling key functions... making improvement suggestions... receiving regular performance feedback... growing their skills... but at the end of the day there is only one person completely committed to success. So, whatever business you're in - product or service - how complex the technology... the total array of factors that drive profitability rests with one person - the P/L Executive... PERIOD!! Now let's be sure you're up for the task... |
This philosophy is supported by 13 core elements... skills... truths. Of these 13, the first 7 have proven to be required for long-term business viability. This is a crucial point for you to understand so let me make this crystal clear...
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"Your success as a P/L leader will require,
yes require, you are highly accomplished in each of these first 7 Leadership skills." |
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We will review those first 4... one more time
Now, take your time as you read thru
each of these 7 Core skills... then
honestly evaluate yourself on each.
Now, take your time as you read thru
each of these 7 Core skills... then
honestly evaluate yourself on each.
Group 1
* * * Pillars Of Leadership * * *
* * * Pillars Of Leadership * * *
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Every strong leader learns to protect their business's financial health by mastering their proficiency with these 7 elements.
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The major point here is not learning the 7 core skills... but you must default to them whenever you face a major issue or problem.
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Again, if you're the P/L Executive and want to grow your profits... you first must grow your Leadership skills... so hang on as we prepare you for this challenging journey.
A quick recap: STEP 1, we agreed to work together to grow your profits... I'm sharing my knowledge with you for free... please use it wisely. STEP 2, you completed a SWOT analysis, then expanded it with input from outside individuals. Now you are about to start STEP 3, a very important assessment of... YOU. I will ask that you be extremely honest as you rank yourself on a scale from 1 to 10 for each of the 13 core elements... starting with those all-important - first 7, The Pillars of Leadership.
"Remember, this Leadership Protocol has been a work in-progress over decades... each element having a deep background that I will attempt to quickly share with you... using real world examples at times. Then I suggest you make whatever personal notes you need to support your rankings of yourself and be honest as no one will ever see these... JUST YOU.
"Remember, this Leadership Protocol has been a work in-progress over decades... each element having a deep background that I will attempt to quickly share with you... using real world examples at times. Then I suggest you make whatever personal notes you need to support your rankings of yourself and be honest as no one will ever see these... JUST YOU.
Message from Robert: "My entire career has been focused on improving the operations of business. Starting as a young Cost Accountant at Ford - to a researcher with the APQC - or as an Adjunct Professor at Yale University - and to owning my own tier 1 Automotive supply firm in Germany... yes, a career built around learning to improve business operations. Now in my 7th decade... my goal, my mission... is to share my insights - my wisdom... with those willing to learn."
For those on the journey to leadership
this image sums things up nicely...
this image sums things up nicely...
7 Elements - You Must Master
NOW, BEING VERY HONEST...
RANK YOURSELF (1 - 10) ON EACH
"No need to cheat... these are only seen by you"
RANK YOURSELF (1 - 10) ON EACH
"No need to cheat... these are only seen by you"
1. VISION
This is where you tell the world... why your company exists... what makes you special and unique. You establish a clear direction, set goals and share your beliefs. The message must always be consistent and most of all be... short - powerful - crystal clear!!
This is where you tell the world... why your company exists... what makes you special and unique. You establish a clear direction, set goals and share your beliefs. The message must always be consistent and most of all be... short - powerful - crystal clear!!
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Put your best foot forward... Is's time to motivate the troops. Be sure you are proud of this work. As you will be forever judged on it. As people answer the question... Can we really trust him? Is he the real deal or just another blowhard. As the background image suggests... you must forever earn their trust. |
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2. COMMUNICATIONS
This is your most powerful tool... you will teach, inspire, explain, motivate and comfort... as you also listen & learn. If these skills are easy for you - wonderful - if not, you must - YOU MUST - correct this ASAP. Your future success requires you to be an excellent communicator, not good, but excellent! There are sources available to master communications, find one that works for you. Keep improving until you look forward to every communication opportunity.
This is your most powerful tool... you will teach, inspire, explain, motivate and comfort... as you also listen & learn. If these skills are easy for you - wonderful - if not, you must - YOU MUST - correct this ASAP. Your future success requires you to be an excellent communicator, not good, but excellent! There are sources available to master communications, find one that works for you. Keep improving until you look forward to every communication opportunity.
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Those impowered with P/L responsibility
have an important internal message, a body of knowledge... a belief system... that will benefit the entire company. Use your communication skills and share that wisdom!! |
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3. TASK MANAGEMENT
Think of this as your, make it happen tool chest. Sadly, I have found many Sr Executives that were good visionaries and powerful communicators but never mastered the ability to make things happen.
Fortunately, this element can be learned and even linked to the strategic planning processes, likely in place. For example, your Financial Department will regularly develop complex annual budgets and perform a monthly analysis of performance vs that budget.
Well, with only a small added requirement from you... that annual budget can be expanded to include specific monthly MBO targeted goals for each and every functional department. And if you were to further task your HR department to ensure every manager held a quick monthly review of their area supervisors' performance vs their MBO targets... WOW, now you have a highly manageable system to drive companywide performance.
Think of this as your, make it happen tool chest. Sadly, I have found many Sr Executives that were good visionaries and powerful communicators but never mastered the ability to make things happen.
Fortunately, this element can be learned and even linked to the strategic planning processes, likely in place. For example, your Financial Department will regularly develop complex annual budgets and perform a monthly analysis of performance vs that budget.
Well, with only a small added requirement from you... that annual budget can be expanded to include specific monthly MBO targeted goals for each and every functional department. And if you were to further task your HR department to ensure every manager held a quick monthly review of their area supervisors' performance vs their MBO targets... WOW, now you have a highly manageable system to drive companywide performance.
There is a powerful connection between #3 TASK MANAGEMENT ...
and #4, PEOPLE... and #2, COMMUNICATION
Study these 3 together
It is critical
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4. PEOPLE
What business are you in? If you had asked me that question in the first 15 years of my career, I would have said... automotive or truck axle. Because at that time I had a nice string of successes at Ford & Rockwell as I applied my technical education in Physics & Business - ya... Physics & Business - with my practical experience in Cost Accounting to achieve some very large cost reduction savings.
However, the real key to my successes was not my technical skills... it was my ability with people. Talking with, listening to, learning from, reading, understanding, motivating, building strong teams and being integral to our growing success. Yes, I was really... in the people business... JUST AS YOU ARE.. !!
What business are you in? If you had asked me that question in the first 15 years of my career, I would have said... automotive or truck axle. Because at that time I had a nice string of successes at Ford & Rockwell as I applied my technical education in Physics & Business - ya... Physics & Business - with my practical experience in Cost Accounting to achieve some very large cost reduction savings.
However, the real key to my successes was not my technical skills... it was my ability with people. Talking with, listening to, learning from, reading, understanding, motivating, building strong teams and being integral to our growing success. Yes, I was really... in the people business... JUST AS YOU ARE.. !!
GROWING YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS: As the P/L leader... once each year you are required to perform a detailed update to the Budgeting Process. Use this as a powerful opportunity to involve the entire organization... as you construct, not just a budget but rather an Annual Operating Plan... AOP. This document provides the updated budget goals plus an outline of the Key Actions needed to achieve the new budget. This process will have each area supervisor holding a quick, well scripted... monthly status review of Key Actions vs the plan, thus keeping performance on track.
If you are not familiar
with this AOP Process...
urgently learn & MASTER!
This powerful tool when properly executed will strengthen at least 4 to 6 of the 13 elements simultaneously... TASK MANAGEMENT, PEOPLE, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT and UNITY. Depending on your AOP - CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT & PRIORITIES may also be included.
If you are not familiar
with this AOP Process...
urgently learn & MASTER!
This powerful tool when properly executed will strengthen at least 4 to 6 of the 13 elements simultaneously... TASK MANAGEMENT, PEOPLE, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT and UNITY. Depending on your AOP - CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT & PRIORITIES may also be included.
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So... how strong are your people skills?
Think about your employees... your suppliers... your future employees. How well do you understand all of their wants, their needs? As you perform this self-evaluation be mindful of those within your business who are future leaders... that can be contributing at a higher level to the firm's growth. How can you challenge them? Are you comfortable to be challenged by your own team? You're really in the PEOPLE BUSINESS... YOU BEST LIKE PEOPLE -- OR... LEARN TO !! |
STOP: So why have I taken you thru a second review of those first 4 skills... well as I stated earlier... there is a hierarchy to these leadership skills. Master the first 7 and you have ensured... yes ensured your business will be profitable. Add mastery of the final 6... (13 in total) and you are now in that rare group of Great Leaders.
hence I've repeated them.
But, few individuals have the ability to do this. They either lack the patience or the belief that mastery of these is really required. And typically their failures are in large weaknesses in skills 3 and 4... Task Management & People. In the days I was working on site, directly with the P/L Exec... I was able to read & gauge their strengths in these very critical... first 4 skills. But as I am giving these away I want you to know how important... mandatory... these 4 skills are, hence my repeating them.
Okay... let's continue, skills 5 thru 7. If you can honestly master all 7... those skills being your front line reaction to business problems, will ensure profitability.
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5. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
The late Dr Deming taught the world of manufacturing many important truths but the commitment to Continuous Improvement, CI, is at the top of the list.
The late Dr Deming taught the world of manufacturing many important truths but the commitment to Continuous Improvement, CI, is at the top of the list.
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Dr Deming, after being politely rebuffed by the US Auto industry in the 1950s... took his message of Statistical Process Control & Continuous Improvement to Toyota & Honda where he was fully embraced.
25 years later as the Japanese Auto Industry has the US... on our knees... Dr Deming is being paid $10,000 a day to help Detroit improve... sad but true! |
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An adaptation of Deming's philosophy swept the world during the 1990's. So, your challenge... be sure all of your strategic planning tools are built around Continuous Improvement and for God's sake you must 100% understand quality can NEVER be the result of inspection... only SPC!!
A TRUE STORY
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It was 1979-1980 and Rockwell had just completed an in-depth study of Dr Deming's SPC. I was a Production General Foreman at our largest UAW plant in Newark, Ohio. Being excited about the savings potential from SPC... I implemented it at the final machining operation for all Class 8 carriers' housings,
see all machined surfaces... >>> |
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After validating... all machined specifications & the stack-up of tolerances... were accurate - we proved the need for the added 'final inspection' was not required. The elimination of this operation was a large cost reduction but also caused a high profile Class Action Grievance from the Union. The company held the line in the early steps of the grievance procedure which resulted in an arbitration show-down. I presented the case for Rockwell and having all the statistical data - proved that our Rockwell International's Million-Mile Axle... did not require an added final inspection.
Whatever your product or service:
Learn Dr Deming's philosophy...
adapt it into your business
Learn Dr Deming's philosophy...
adapt it into your business
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6. PRIORITIES
Getting your PRIORITIES right... sadly, the number of businesses - leaders - that blow this one is down-right shocking and the impact can be devastating. Consider these 4 priorities that I have listed here in alphabetical order - COST - DELIVERY - QUALITY - SAFETY. Now you list them in the order that is most important to your business.
This should flow easily and quickly with very little thought. Actually, this is a trick question as there is only one correct answer, no matter what your business... or it's level of technology... yup, only one answer.
Now, it is critical that your entire business have this one correct, not just you. And I must warn you... you can't just TELL everyone about this, you must teach them. A few years ago... GM, screwed this one up big-time... and paid for it with a bankruptcy filing. So, once again... your entire organization must completely understand they have your full support to the proper set of these priorities. How well do you understand them... and even more importantly, who well does everyone in your company understand them?
Getting your PRIORITIES right... sadly, the number of businesses - leaders - that blow this one is down-right shocking and the impact can be devastating. Consider these 4 priorities that I have listed here in alphabetical order - COST - DELIVERY - QUALITY - SAFETY. Now you list them in the order that is most important to your business.
This should flow easily and quickly with very little thought. Actually, this is a trick question as there is only one correct answer, no matter what your business... or it's level of technology... yup, only one answer.
Now, it is critical that your entire business have this one correct, not just you. And I must warn you... you can't just TELL everyone about this, you must teach them. A few years ago... GM, screwed this one up big-time... and paid for it with a bankruptcy filing. So, once again... your entire organization must completely understand they have your full support to the proper set of these priorities. How well do you understand them... and even more importantly, who well does everyone in your company understand them?
Yes, only one correct answer... GOT IT?
See Operating Priorities... below
Now... a POP QUIZ -
When dealing with a difficult problem...
What is the one question -
you MUST ask first ??
Check your answer here... - click here
Do we need to talk?
See Operating Priorities... below
Now... a POP QUIZ -
When dealing with a difficult problem...
What is the one question -
you MUST ask first ??
Check your answer here... - click here
Do we need to talk?
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7. PERSONAL DISCIPLINE
Only those who have held P/L leadership positions can fathom the volume of data that must be dealt with on a daily basis. To call it overwhelming at times is no exaggeration. Therefore, to ensure you are constant & consistent to your core values... your Vision Statement... your Leadership Protocol... and not distracted by those daily demands, you must establish your own method to routinely & objectively assess how well you are performing on each of these elements.
Only those who have held P/L leadership positions can fathom the volume of data that must be dealt with on a daily basis. To call it overwhelming at times is no exaggeration. Therefore, to ensure you are constant & consistent to your core values... your Vision Statement... your Leadership Protocol... and not distracted by those daily demands, you must establish your own method to routinely & objectively assess how well you are performing on each of these elements.
You must establish your own method to routinely & objectively
assess how well you are performing on each elements.
Are you happy with your ranking... right now ??
assess how well you are performing on each elements.
Are you happy with your ranking... right now ??
You have completed the first 7 element
of the Protocol for Leaders...
How did you fair?
of the Protocol for Leaders...
How did you fair?
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After Your 2nd Read Complete Three Tasks * TASK 1 - From Step 2 - Be sure you have the final version of the SWOT analysis in writing... and very clearly understand all risks to your business. * TASK 2 - From Step 3 - Your ranking (1 -10) for each of the first 7 element plus any relevant comments... in writing. Pay special attention to all rankings below 8... as you will work on them in TASK 3. * TASK 3 - Now it's time to analyze both the above TASKS, as you construct your Operational and Leadership improvement plan... your Blueprint for Turnaround. This document will guide your growth and help you find the specific areas you must improve on... give it all the effort needed. * SPECIAL OFFER - For those who have read my Protocol for Leaders and wish to grow their Leadership Skills, I make a unique proposal whereby you can have 2 hours of FREE consulting. My intent is to encourage & help those who are truly serious about becoming more effective leaders. To make the most of the 2 hours I will ask that you email me your background, the results of your 3 TASKS above and a short note about your goals for growth. In return I will give you 2 hours of direct access, by phone, to me. Continue reading... details for offer below. . Any & all information shared with me is 100% confidential. |
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Okay... if this is your first read thru... you are getting the bigger picture of the skills required to successfully lead a healthy and profitable business. Further, please consider my unique approach to growing your profits... it is NOT to bring in an army of outsiders that will try to tell your people what they need to do differently... as they hand you - HUGE BILLS.
Rather, you & I together, identify (as we have been) the major negative forces - impacting your business. Then ensure you are personally equipped with all the needed skills to drive your own systematic & rapid turnaround... IS THIS NOT A MORE LOGICAL APPROACH.? Yes, the challenge is equipping you with the needed skills...
"Now hang in there... yes, we are getting into some very heavy stuff. And unfortunately, they don't teach this in most business schools. But this will turn you and your business into World-Class successes."
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* * IMPORTANT NOTICE * *
After ranking yourself... you now have a clear picture of the areas in which you must improve. Keep in mind, no one knows this other than you, so create your own improvement plan and start your... leadership growth... NOW!
BTW, the answer to #6... PRIORITIES, the only correct answer is... SAFETY, QUALITY, DELIVERY, COST... did you get it right? If yes, great... you're off to a good start. If not, you really should reach out to me - it's important! A Key Point: You must grasp 100% the importance of element #6... PRIORITIES. Not only must you know these priorities, but everyone in your business must understand this also. Here is the only answer to the question... how your company rate would right now on #6 - PRIORITIES/
Operating Priorities #1 SAFETY - keeping everyone safe... this includes your employees, your customers as they use your product or service... and your suppliers when they are on your property. #2 QUALITY - being the P/L leader it is your responsibility to ensure quality meets all the expectations your customers have based on standards you... have set. Be sure all operational departments understand this. #3 DELIVERY - once #1 & #2 are met... then delivery is top priority. #4 COST - yes, cost control is critical to a profitable business. You manage the Leadership Protocol... all 13 elements... your profits will happen. Here is my being blunt -
failure to master these 7 skills... all 7 will doom your company to future You CAN NOT afford to be weak in just one of these elements. On the flip side... when you do MASTER them you will generate your success! __________________________
* * A SHOCKING INSIGHT * *
The US being the largest economy in the world and having very complex tax codes... has rightfully so, supported a group of Tax Experts that we depend on. Now, as the troubles have grown in managing US businesses, it is natural that these Tax Experts would expand their services into... MANAGEMENT ADVICE.
Now here's the shocker... last year alone, 2021, US businesses spent over 50 billion dollars for consulting advice... yes, 50 billion dollars... that is billion with a.. "B". With that kind of money being spent you can be sure the universe of business consultants is abrim with professional pitchmen... vying for your attention... hoping to sell you a very well crafted & glitzy.. expensive program. All so they can profit by doing... your job? Well, I'm here to say... that taking full control of your business's leadership & correcting profit shortfalls can be achieved in a more practical, systematic and far less expensive manner, if you're willing... grow your skills and do the work. ONE MORE TIME... Here is the - 'DIY System'
* IDENTIFY ALL MAJOR ISSUES * GROW YOUR PERSONAL SKILLS
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Okay, decision time... can you drive your own improvement...?? DO REMEMBER... If the process, I just detailed is too difficult... the Big Four consultancies will be very willing to take your money and do... their improvement plan... to you and your team. Each firm will have their own system... some better than others. What they all have in common... their fees will be staggering! For those driving your own turnaround... Let's complete your journey. Now I will talk you thru the 6 advanced skills. Again, mastering the first 7 will protect your company's financial health... adding (mastering) the final 6... and you will become a Great Leaders. No... ifs, ands or buts... you put forth the effort and master all 13 of these leadership elements and your business will be highly profitable... your employees, customers and suppliers will all think highly of you - YOU WILL BE A GREAT LEADER. And your only expense will be the time to work thru the methodology and any expenses related to your decision to strengthen any specific skills. And best of all... you will be the only person aware of any of this. ___________________
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Once again, your first assignment...
master the first 7 elements,
the Pillars of Leadership.
Then recall my opening statement
about becoming a Great Leader...
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"This website is devoted to one goal... empowering you to maximize profits. Our approach is to serve as your partner, your expert silent partner, as we together find & fix operational and leadership shortcomings. So, I urge you to take the time to read & digest this systematic approach to great leadership, yes, I said to great leadership. It will be difficult... at times challenging... but the rewards are awesome"
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"yes, I said to great leadership. |
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Group 2
* * * 6 Advanced Skills * * *
* * * 6 Advanced Skills * * *
Path to Great Leadership
These Advanced Skills in combination with the Group 1, Pillars of Leadership... will arm you to lead your business to success... coping with whatever challenges life hands you. As I explain the balance of these elements... remember there is tremendous overlap amongst them... and great leaders benefit as they master them all. Master means these are always your default path to solving complex problems.
Once again... remember, your - mastery - of these 6 advanced skills in addition to the 7 Pillars of Leadership is required to place you in the small group of truly... Great Leaders.
8. UNITY... (all arrows at 3 o'clock)
During my 40 years of actively studying/applying business improvements... in major industries... across the US, Europe & Mexico, including many various cultures... there is one major issue the world of business struggles with, that being... unity of purpose. I dub this 'All arrows at 3 O'clock'. As the P/L leader you must monitor for any & all threats to unity 24/7 !!
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You want and need strong people especially in key managerial positions, but they will often lead to organizational conflicts.
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Your challenge will be to unite them so that everyone understands - 24/7 - that UNITY is their #1 goal.
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This is where you move from being the BOSS...
to being the LEADER... you can NEVER allow
your frustration... to turn to anger
You must turn these problems
into teaching moments!!
to being the LEADER... you can NEVER allow
your frustration... to turn to anger
You must turn these problems
into teaching moments!!
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9. NO MIS-COMMUNICATIONS
Pilot / Tower mis-communication
Unfortunately, people mis-communicating is so common... we have started to accept it. This is a gross mistake. Miscommunication... "a failure to communicate accurately"... regularly results in errors that vary from; annoying... a little costly... very costly... serious... very serious... or even deadly!! As a business leader you must take steps to proactively eliminate - as much as possible - the ROOT CAUSE of miscommunications in your business. This image depicts a deadly US crash that was the result of the pilot / tower mis-communication.
Critically important, when you happen to spot a mis-communication anywhere in the business... never ignore it and NEVER become angry. Embrace it as the learning / teaching moment it is. Find the ROOT CAUSE, make needed improvements and enjoy... CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT... (this will test you).
Critically important, when you happen to spot a mis-communication anywhere in the business... never ignore it and NEVER become angry. Embrace it as the learning / teaching moment it is. Find the ROOT CAUSE, make needed improvements and enjoy... CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT... (this will test you).
3 Mile Island... disaster
It was March 28, 1979, and the Nuclear Reactor at 3 Mile Island, Pennsylvania... suffered a partial meltdown. Approx. 2 million people were exposed to low level radiation. The cleanup took 14 years - yes years, and cost approx... 1 billion dollars.
After years of analysis, it was concluded the ROOT CAUSE of this cascading chain of events that nearly killed millions of people was... are you ready for this... MIS-COMMUNICATIONS.
After years of analysis, it was concluded the ROOT CAUSE of this cascading chain of events that nearly killed millions of people was... are you ready for this... MIS-COMMUNICATIONS.
The impact of Mis-Communications
Can range from annoying... to devastating
Do not allow them to exist in your company
Never ignore them... but never react with anger
Whenever they happen... and they will...
Turn them into teaching moments.
Can range from annoying... to devastating
Do not allow them to exist in your company
Never ignore them... but never react with anger
Whenever they happen... and they will...
Turn them into teaching moments.
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10. DELIVERABLES
(This skill is so valuable I provide extra detail... ENJOY)
(PS: Remember these advanced skills will take you to greatness)
(PPS: These examples also highlight the use of multiple skills at the same time)
(This skill is so valuable I provide extra detail... ENJOY)
(PS: Remember these advanced skills will take you to greatness)
(PPS: These examples also highlight the use of multiple skills at the same time)
There are special times in business when a superhuman style focus on a critical must happen deliverable is mandated. When failure is just NOT AN OPTION. The power of a complete focus on DELIVERING a single goal... of having your total organization committed to achieve one objective... of inspiring your team to make it happen - such a deliberate effort, well... it can achieve miracles.
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The power of inspiration... it was February 22, 1980, at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. As the youngest US Olympic hockey team in US history had to play the Soviet Union who had won the gold medal 5 of the last 6 Olympics and were the heavy favorites. Both teams scored two goals in the first period... the Soviets scored once in the second period.
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Do you believe in miracles?
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Then the US scored twice in the third period as Al Michaels made his now famous, "Do you believe in miracles? - YES!!" as the young US team beat the USSR 4 to 3. Once again demonstrating the enormous power of a team focusing on a single goal... yes, a great pun.
The power of - FOCUS... once again when you as the leader realize there's a DELIVERABLE that just must happen... so you create a small tightly organized group of highly skilled individuals and protect them from outside distractions... this focused group is a 'Skunk Works'. Great leaders learn when and how to use this strategy. Two world class examples below.
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Kelly Johnson was an American aeronautical and systems engineer who invented the Skunk Works concept to develop fighter jet breakthroughs for Lockheed Martin & propelled the US military to global dominance.
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Steve Jobs one of the Apple Corporation founders very successfully used Kelly Johnson's Skunk Works concept to design and launch the Macintosh... propelling Apple to the world's largest company.
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Putting 'Skunk Works' - to work
Please remember, my personal expertise's are rooted in the hard skills of operational analysis, and I further enhanced these skills from the insights gained during my hands-on Turnaround engagements - so now time for a TRUE STORY >>>
TRUE STORY: It was the early 1990's and I was on a Turnaround engagement at Quincy Compressor. A nicely conservative old-line company whose profits had stalled. After implementing Deming's SPC improvements... it was clear we needed to grow sales... and a product design breakthrough into the smaller HP range seemed most logical. To start... I hand-picked a cross functional team and they quickly zeroed in on the need for a lower cost designed - single stage - highly versatile pump... as the path to grow our market share. A radicel departure for Quincy.
TRUE STORY: It was the early 1990's and I was on a Turnaround engagement at Quincy Compressor. A nicely conservative old-line company whose profits had stalled. After implementing Deming's SPC improvements... it was clear we needed to grow sales... and a product design breakthrough into the smaller HP range seemed most logical. To start... I hand-picked a cross functional team and they quickly zeroed in on the need for a lower cost designed - single stage - highly versatile pump... as the path to grow our market share. A radicel departure for Quincy.
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Piston Break-thru
Focused Factory
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CRITICAL ENGINEERING: First step was to select a very robust piston - ring configuration. Whereby the displacement would allow us to simply vary the pumps RPM and service the HUGE... 2HP and 5HP markets.
* A uniquely large piston displacement allowed both RPM performance * Early testing confirmed - deep cooling fins... a robust design * A breakthrough... used GM's 'small block' piston & supply chain Results: The all-new pump hits & beats every quality and cost target FOCUSED FACTOR: By outsourcing the tank painting we were able to arrange a FOCUSED FACTORY whereby we machined - assembled & shipped the new Air Master line... filling orders in record time. * IAM Union supported this unique concept & cross trained operator * Fully implemented ISO 9001 across entire product line * Implemented JIT... today's orders will be built & shipped tomorrow Results: Out-of-the-box thinking... paid off. Thanks to Skunk Works |
A 'SKUNK WORKS' PRODUCTION
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* * QC Air Master * *
What we did... how we did it
Design one great pump to support multi-duty low speed for 2HP... higher speed for 5HP * Create cross-functional team of experts * Protect the team... ensure no distractions * Set aggressive budget, performance goals * Choose red vs Quincy Blue, to appease distributors that carried other small brands * GREW SALES & PROFITS... 11.78% * |
All new... Air Master series
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Important Notice: The DELIVERABLES in the above examples were the result of... were achieved by - exceptional performance - way beyond what was normal for each of those three businesses. Your role as a Great P/L leader is to shepherd this process within your company.
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Powerful examples of ... what you can make happen...
The True Stories above... great leaders master this powerful skill...
As the P/L leader you must have such a strategy available if needed.
The True Stories above... great leaders master this powerful skill...
As the P/L leader you must have such a strategy available if needed.
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11. PROBLEM SOLVING
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In the business world solving problems is a major part of everything we do. Many are dealt with easily, but if you find the same issue popping up again and again... perhaps you need to examine deeper... did you correct the real root cause?
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Be sure to ask - WHY - five times. If you are honest, that will get you to the real Root Cause. Then there are those larger very important problems that don't have a quick solution. For those you must ask one question first, this is critical, always ask this one question first...?? How much time do I have to solve this problem? This answer will guide how large the resources you need to assign to the issue.
Now as the P/L leaders... yes you must be highly skilled in this... however... you will need many key people that regularly oversee this process.
Be sure you have many highly skilled...
problem solvers throughout the company
They must master quickly finding
the ROOT CAUSE
problem solvers throughout the company
They must master quickly finding
the ROOT CAUSE
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12. SPEED
(Here are 2 examples of how a passion for speed
can have a surprisingly powerful impact... WOW !!)
(Here are 2 examples of how a passion for speed
can have a surprisingly powerful impact... WOW !!)
As you develop your own passion for... do it now... find and stop NVA... NON-VALUE-ADDED... labor... eliminate waste... finish the job quickly... yes, this is your passion for SPEED. Here we are in 2023 and what you are embracing... is LEAN!!
These 2 examples... one from me and another from Progressive Insurance Company... both are good applications of LEAN and yet both happen years before the term LEAN was coined... WOW, read and enjoy!
It's 1983 and I'm now the Manager of Industrial Engineering at Rockwell's largest Truck Axle Plant in Newark Ohio. Having just spent 4 years as a General Foreman... in production and Skill Trades... it was clear to me there were many opportunities to improve the plants operating efficiency. But as a UAW facility there was a rigorous procedure to be followed. Having had successes with Deming's SPC, I was now very interested in H B Maynard's work on eliminating Non-Value-Added Labor... using his approach with MOST.
These 2 examples... one from me and another from Progressive Insurance Company... both are good applications of LEAN and yet both happen years before the term LEAN was coined... WOW, read and enjoy!
It's 1983 and I'm now the Manager of Industrial Engineering at Rockwell's largest Truck Axle Plant in Newark Ohio. Having just spent 4 years as a General Foreman... in production and Skill Trades... it was clear to me there were many opportunities to improve the plants operating efficiency. But as a UAW facility there was a rigorous procedure to be followed. Having had successes with Deming's SPC, I was now very interested in H B Maynard's work on eliminating Non-Value-Added Labor... using his approach with MOST.
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Using this tool to further analysis the areas in the plant I knew were ripe for improvements... I elected to first have my entire staff of 15 Industrial Engineers and myself trained & certified as applicators of the Maynard Management Institute's... work measurement system... MOST.
Once certified we focused our attention on documenting large pockets of NVA labor, Non Value Added Labor. With this powerful 'Lean' style tool we were able to, case by case - win union approvals. |
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MOST is an acronym for... Maynard Operation Sequence Technique. Even as the UAW challenged every case we successfully tightened labor standards - reduced costs - that year by a whopping 9.6%.
Progress Insurance Company... as part of their Core Values... they did a deep study in the 1980's when they concluded that the bulk of the time while a customer's insurance claim is waiting to be processed... the claim is - in fact - sitting in an 'in basket' waiting to be processed. They eliminated most of this NVA labor time... greatly speeding up their processing time and grew their sales nicely.
Eliminate waste...
get rid of... Non Value Added Cost
get rid of... Non Value Added Cost
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"Are you getting this picture... if you are reading, digesting and absorbing my message and if you have elected to manage your own TURNAROUND process... then by now you have a deep understanding of the skills that define great leaders. So, the honest ranking of yourself is yielding the BLUEPRINT of the exact skills you must rapidly grow within... YOU. Okay, lets finish with #13 - FLEXIBILITY."
13. FLEXIBILITY
(there's a lot to this last element)
(there's a lot to this last element)
On your journey to build a strong healthy company... at times you will be confronted with large, unexpected challenges and you will struggle between leaning on well-established strategies that you're comfortable with... or newer concepts requiring time for learning... what to do??
Well, this is where you need to be FLEXIBILE and take 2 process steps back before any other actions. First, answer the all-important question... how long do I have to solve this problem? Then take about 5 minutes to privately check your own objectivity as you very honestly re-evaluate your strength (1 to 10) on each of the 13 Protocol elements with a close focus on those effecting the issue... in just 5 minutes. Now with this clear updated framework you can tackle this issue with all the energy that is required..
Well, this is where you need to be FLEXIBILE and take 2 process steps back before any other actions. First, answer the all-important question... how long do I have to solve this problem? Then take about 5 minutes to privately check your own objectivity as you very honestly re-evaluate your strength (1 to 10) on each of the 13 Protocol elements with a close focus on those effecting the issue... in just 5 minutes. Now with this clear updated framework you can tackle this issue with all the energy that is required..
Summary &
Conclusion
--- Your Journey to Excellence ---
CUNGRATULATIONS, you now have a set of tools that can profoundly change your life. And if you have evaluated your strength on each of the Protocol's 13 elements... you now have the blueprint that will guide your improvement efforts... your journey to World-Class leadership and the profits you seek.
Now let me be brutally honest (again)... few people find this process to be an easy one. By the time managers reach the level of P/L responsibility they are typically Type A's with deep personal strengths... and changing their behavior, well... they won't do that easily.
As you can tell from this site, I am a very straight shooter and... if you want to discuss or even debate me... as to your need to make the changes your evaluation suggests... by all means - let's talk.
As you can tell from this site, I am a very straight shooter and... if you want to discuss or even debate me... as to your need to make the changes your evaluation suggests... by all means - let's talk.
Stanford University
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Food for thought... a survey by Stanford University of 200 CEO's on leadership mentoring concluded nearly all the CEO's believe outside mentoring is very valuable... but 2/3 of the same group said they were personally uncomfortable to do it themselves.
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Similarly, if you are uncomfortable... then use the info I have provided to drive your own improvement effort. Below is a synopsis to guide your journey, but first...
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INSIGHT: While mentoring Senior Executive's, Presidents and CEO's... the most common area they seek advice on... is how to best handle conflict resolution. The answers become clear with a deep dive into their TASK MANAGEMENT and UNITY strengths, #3 & #8... and of course #4 PEOPLE.
Typically we find, rather quickly, there's an overlooked monthly review of the parties - Key Actions or MBO's - that precipitated the conflict. It is normal for people... good people... to have conflicts but in well led organizations these are quickly resolved and often lead to improvements, so as the leader... embrace them. |
"Once again... as you master these 13 skills your business's profits will grow. If you need outside help to strengthen any elements, find what is best for you. Whatever you choose to do the outline below will guide you."
Synopsis Of Your Journey
- Plan Your Work - Integrate your highly crafted Annual Operating Plan (AOP) - tasks & goals - into the Annual Budgeting Process, Finance & HR should lead... appoint a champion to guide this once-a-year planning process.
- Work Your Plan - Monitor monthly... yes monthly... how each department is performing vs their AOP targeted goals. I have a simple, one page form to document the reviews so that monthly progress is done and tracked.
- But Most of All... Be Flexible - Sharpen your ability to rapidly adapt to unforeseen problems. Any major performance shortfalls ID'd on Monthly Reviews... may need your attention.
- Two Final Thoughts - First... learn and master all 13 of the Protocol's elements and second... remember, you're really in the people business.
- Victorious - Complete the 4 steps above and your company's success is assured. Yes, it is hard work... likely very hard work... but the rewards are AWESOME!!
As you're still reading this and if you are a P/L leader... you now have a BLUEPRINT to guide your turnaround... please use it wisely. Should you feel, you would like any level of support, visit STEP 5 - Services