Yesterday Nina blogged about the basic concept of a Fishbone and using it to brainstorm the answer to a specific question. As basic as it sounds the risk of ignoring burning questions is all around us today as Companies like Eastman Kodak file for bankruptcy and the high street is in freefall

Another traditional business tool is the Boston Matrix – used to assess and measure the current success of your products or services and based on how well they are doing make decisions on whether to invest further in them or get rid of them all together. It’s a great tool but it’s no longer enough to make decisions on what you know today. In todays World the pace of change is so rapid that what you believe to be a star today could be a dog by tomorrow and if you don’t react quick enough you not only lose competitive advantage but you get left behind

Cheeky Monkey ask another question when completing the matrix – What does the market need? We make sure our clients look at the forecasted trends of tomorrow and ask themselves will my current stars deliver this? If they can’t is it worth investment? Could they become a cash cow or will they become dogs. Knowing this information upfront will allow you more control in managing your product lifecycle. If none of your current products will deliver against what the market needs then you can plan your market exit and spend money on innovation in identified areas and ensuring you have pipeline for future stars.

Microsoft released a video at the end of last year showing how they believe technology will change the way we live our lives

Make sure you understand what tomorrow looks like in your World, look out to the stars don’t stay ring fenced in a field with cows and dogs!

I loved using Ishikawa or “Fishbone” diagrams (named after Kaoru Ishikawa who became one of the guru’s of modern management in the 1960s after he pioneered the use of them in quality management processes in the Kawasaki shipyards). It was like peeling an onion, carefully taking each layer of a problem and figuring out what had caused the problems we were seeing at the time so that we understood the cause. Once we understood the cause we could decide what our next course of action was; was it something we could fix and move on, or had something changed meaning that our landscape had altered and our course of action needed to change?

Beautifully simple.

Has this thinking gone out of fashion?

Take Eastman Kodak, so sad to see a company with such heritage file for bankruptcy. A company with the innovative intelligence to invent the first digital camera but lacking the business intelligence to understand the effect of that innovation in the market and how to use it to change its own destiny. Too scared to embrace the fact that this new technology would cannibalise its already successful business, it went for the alternative… made ill thought through decisions, didn’t look at the ongoing effect in the market, didn’t change, just died.

Do we like to react and respond more than we like to understand the real problems and what we can do to solve them?

IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS!

So, draw one cartoon like fishbone with a big head (see picture at the end of the post).

Take one problem and put the word WHY in front of it e.g. Why are sales of film declining?

Make this question the head of the fish. This is the effect or the consequence of an action.

Brainstorm all the reasons why that problem is happening e.g. all the reasons why the sales of film could be declining and attach them to the bones (branches) coming off the head of the fish. You can group reasons together if you have lots are that relating to the same thing e.g. new technology…

For each branch of the fishbone, dig deeper into what is happening and ask WHY again, creating spurs off each branch until you feel you understand what is happening.

Take time to take this in and decide on your course of action.

Let me know how it goes.

It’s like a computer game. First, you have to get through the amount of people who say that you’re not in ‘their area’ when they’re 3 miles down the road, before battling with the ‘I can come to you today, I’ll call you’ people who when you ask ‘but will you come today?’ they put the phone down, to the people who want your card details before they’ve even seen the problem- it has been a maze of hassle from start to finish.

Along with the very public news of Fred Goodwin (who didn’t really win good) being stripped of his honour, the week has told a tale of trust, what that means to people, and how the break-down of it can be severely detrimental to more than just one party. When one person (who had said they were going to fix my dishwasher in that day and then called back three hours later to try and get out of it) was surprised I cancelled, they had ignored the fundamental lesson that comes with trust- it has to be earned!

Trust is at the core of every relationship, and has to be protected in order for the relationship to thrive. The biggest damage that has been done to major brands and corporations has been down to a breach of trust, or a lack of consideration when making big promises as to whether they can actually deliver those to their consumers. People actually make a good living repairing a breach of trust in corporate governance. So whether it’s a white good repair, a friendship, or a hostile takeover, sticking to the fundamental rule of mutual trust will keep it from going down the drain (no pun intended).

Whilst reading the news today and deciding what relevant news topic I could blog about I came across an article about Chief Monkey and her book in the Manchester Evening News and thought what better time to do my review!

Luckily us Cheeky Monkeys don’t pull punches so even though I love her this review will be what I think not what I think I should write

I was lucky (?!) enough to be party to the book as it was being written – Nina was a recluse for 6 weeks whilst going into the zone – the only time I saw her was when she came to pick me up to take me for a birthday lunch dressed like she was J.K.Rowling in a flowing skirt and floaty top! The way Nina delivers change in organisations is all about her personality and style so I wasn’t sure how this would translate into a book.

I should have had more faith – as I read the first few chapters it became clear translating personality and style into a book had not been a struggle. I laughed out loud when I read ‘Think about where you are today and where you are trying to go, you are not a muppet use your experience with confidence’ the way it is written makes it easy to read but the lessons and education do not get lost – it just makes it real. It takes you on a logical journey of where you are, where you want to go and how you are going to get there. Sometimes when you think about what you want to achieve the task seems so great it puts you off doing anything at all, the book It breaks it down into bite size chunks with the focus on celebrating success along the way and making it manageable, tangible and achievable

Think about where you are today and where you are trying to go, you are not a muppet use your experience with confidence

There are tools to use under ‘science’ and real life case studies with people who have been there and done it which brings more human experience to the transformation journey.

The only concern I would have is the success we achieve in Cheeky Monkey comes by integrating ‘science’ and ‘magic’ and ‘magic’ is difficult to teach. If you execute the science without key skills such as having the courage of your convictions, the ability to keep a level head even if you have lost track, listening, being honest and many other key competencies then you complete an exercise and not only achieve nothing but risk people questioning your focus or ability. The book can offer direction in what you should be doing but don’t be afraid to ask for help to do it properly that in itself is a bit of magic

So Chief overall I love it, I love you and what you’ve achieved and i’m lucky because I do something I love and I love what I do so the book means a lot to me. Delivering transformation does take passion and because of you I understand what that feels like. Passion definitely comes from love and Love has always been my inspiration – can’t wait for the sequel!

This is what the politicians wanted us to do isn’t it, be brave, be ballsy, put the country back on its feet.

This is of course a lesson in do what I say not what I do.

Take the debate over the benefits cap, a proposal that affects a reported 67,000 people out of the 60′ish million that live in the UK and would save £290m out of a £192b work and pensions budget (figures reported in BBC News). The debate itself has rattled on for days (that on its own costing a fair bit) and now the prospect that it might go regional, the cost of administration to support that will erode even more of that saving.

This wouldn’t get past the Project Board in big business today, it would get sent back with a REJECTED, reason? No game changing ambition and poor ROI. The debate on the matter would either end or the team proposing would work on it to show that a real difference could be made…

They might take the total £192b work and pensions budget and say “there will be no benefits system going forward”. The concept behind this would be that all people on benefits today become employees of the Company for Work and Pensions tomorrow. Suddenly everyone has a job. The admin that today is put behind assessing, giving and taking away benefits would be moved to assessing and giving people work. There would be no sick pay but a bonus for those who turn into work everyday. If you don’t show, or don’t work, there is no money. These jobs would not be classed as public sector jobs, they will be part of a growing number of entrepreneurial companies funded by us the taxpayer. The opportunities would be as diverse as the community of employees within it.

The ROI here is uncapped and the future proofing benefits that support ongoing positive outcomes of a country with zero unemployment…priceless.

OK, I might be dreaming now but I wish I wasn’t.

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A democracy, fair enough, is based on gaining public votes, which is a breeding ground for competition and slanging. But in the midst of this political warfare, where people stop voting because they all seem as bad as each other, are we not in danger of losing the benefits of a democracy? The hunger for votes has blurred the most important boundary- objectivity. It’s an objective viewpoint that provides clarity when deciding what is best for our country. The loss of objectivity and slump into piddly party politics is dangerous territory because it breeds indifference. And an indifferent public is far more dangerous than one who cares.

What, then, of being objective from day to day? Leading a team into something new can make it equally as difficult to remain objective. Emotions run high, resentment grows and people store up their irritations until you’re in the Lion’s den of potentially distorted opinions. Keeping a balance between focussing on the process, delivering the outcomes and bringing people along with you is key to facilitating a project.

It seems that UK politicians aren’t that great at bringing people along- and the in-party fighting makes it a party that no-one wants to go to.

]]> http://cheeky-monkey.co/blog/2012/01/26/the-objective-standpoint-key-to-doing-and-delivering/feed/ 1 http://cheeky-monkey.co/blog/2012/01/24/do-you-want-to-be-told-what-to-believe-or-believe-what-your-told/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=do-you-want-to-be-told-what-to-believe-or-believe-what-your-told http://cheeky-monkey.co/blog/2012/01/24/do-you-want-to-be-told-what-to-believe-or-believe-what-your-told/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:30:38 +0000 Dani Maxton http://cheeky-monkey.co/?p=3228

It appears that we are increasingly likely to take what people tell us on social media as fact. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer 2012 Twitter and Facebook have had an upsurge in credibility in the last year.

The survey found it was the number of times that something is seen repeated on Twitter, Facebook or Blogs that determines its credibility. Websites that were previously percieved as untrustworthy are now seen as respected sources of information with a 75% increase in trust over the past year across the World

This is the next trend – as such Companies are trying to find ways to manipulate social media to promote their own agenda. However, consumers are not stupid we are moving away from traditional advertising because we know it is all about the sell, we are moving towards trusting social media because we get the information from different sources that are not being paid to promote so we believe it is genuine. Its important that Companies keep the confidence in their products and encourage their consumers to promote what they believe is good and not try and tell us what they think we want to hear.

Google have recenlty been under fire for promoting their secondary services via search and is currently under investigation by the European competition authorities for alleged monopoly abuse

They have introduced a search update in America called ‘search plus your World’ which means users will see more links to Google+ when they do generic web searches. In a recent blog post Google wrote ‘Starting today if you search for a topic like music or baseball you might see prominent people who frequently discuss this topic on Google+ appearing on the right hand side of the results page’

Is this tainting search to gain a competitive advantage and is the risk that loyal Google users will feel like they are being manipulated? I am a loyal Google user and love the Brand, I trust Google search to bring me the information I need so I am disappointed that they are using their platform to leverage other products which if I wanted to see I would search for!

Twitter, Facebook & MySpace have created a browser add on called ‘Don’t be evil’ which was one of Googles first mottos. The software will negate the effects of the Google update.

Alex Macgillivray, Twitters most senior lawyer said in a recent statement:

“For years, people have relied on Google to deliver the most relevant results anytime they wanted to find something on the Internet. Often, they want to know more about world events and breaking news. Twitter has emerged as a vital source of this real-time information, with more than 100 million users sending 250 million Tweets every day on virtually every topic. As we’ve seen time and time again, news breaks first on Twitter; as a result, Twitter accounts and Tweets are often the most relevant results. We’re concerned that as a result of Google’s changes, finding this information will be much harder for everyone. We think that’s bad for people, publishers, news organizations and Twitter users.”

Maybe Twitter and Facebook could see this as less of a threat and more of a potential competitive advantage. If Google persist on tainting search they are in danger of losing the loyalty of their users who will in turn look to other sources of independent information. We are living in a time where we have choices and it appears we want to believe what we hear from sources we trust not what other people want us to hear. Come on Google do good not evil!

What does 2012 hold for The Monkey?

Innovative in spirit, Monkeys get a helping hand in 2012 from the Year of the Dragon. Opportunities for growth are many and doing things for the general good of those around is recommended. Research/study and taking on activities to push their own personal growth will be on the anvil and prove exciting. With a taste for adventure and their love of partying, Monkeys will be wearing their social hats, throwing many a swanky do or taking trips around the world.

That is so accurate there might be something in this after all…

My view, believing in the good stuff only makes life better, gives you something to smile about, even have a daydream about what could be. The year of The Dragon is a very auspicious one, symbolises power, strength and good luck – we all need to believe that right now, wouldn’t it be amazing if we all did?

I’m not suggesting that thinking about it alone will make the difference as the Psychologists would say this is “external locus of control.” A kind of fatalism, where people believe that they can do little or nothing personally to change their lives. Because of this, they either merely hope for the best, focus on trying to change their luck by various kinds of superstition, or submit passively to whatever comes—while complaining that it doesn’t match their hopes.

To improve your fortune, first decide that what happens is nearly always down to you; then try focusing on what works and what turns out well, not the bad stuff. Your “fate” really does depend on the choices that you make. When random events happen, as they always will, do you choose to try to turn them to your advantage . . . or just complain about them? Thomas Jefferson is said to have used these words: “I’m a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” Your luck, in the end, is pretty much what you choose it to be.

I’m thinking the opposite “internal locus of control.” People that believe that what happens in their life is nearly all down to them; and that even when chance events occur, what is important is not the event itself, but how you respond to it. This makes them pro-active, engaged, ready to try new things, and keen to find the means to change whatever in their lives they don’t like. They aren’t fatalistic and they don’t blame bad luck for what isn’t right in their world. They look for a way to make things better.

I’m born in the year of The Rooster 2012 brings new adventure, the Year of the Dragon will support every encounter and provide new avenues of change. On the professional front, starting up businesses or finding their expertise in demand will be some of the highlights for Roosters as they march to the beat of their own drum. It’s all about colour, variety and personal freedom. For all of you that know me, you know that’s pretty spot on too, not because I read it but it’s because I will make that happen.

What about you?

“We don’t believe our problem is too much capitalism – we think it’s that too few people have capital” – Nick Clegg

He said, “We don’t believe our problem is too much capitalism – we think it’s that too few people have capital.”

Capital is earned it’s not a right. It involves blood, sweat and fear – I speak from experience. Surely the message to send out is around supporting the British Entrepreneurial Spirit and introducing mechanisms for starting your own business. In a World where all you need is a good product and the social media consumer does the rest for you through free digital channels there has never been a better time to be brave and strive to make a difference to our economy and to yourself.

The business news is depressing – I have been on my usual news websites today to update on the World and what is happening and I’ve been met with:

• Dixons festive sales fall by 5%
• Premier Foods to cut 600 staff
• 11,000 jobs at risk as 2 more British businesses fall into administration

Time for positive press – wouldn’t it be great if these headlines changed to Britain shows the highest increase in new start-up businesses during 2012 or economy strengthened by fearless British entrepreneurs – Don’t fear what is happening to other Companies see it as an opportunity to create your own niche.

Research done by the Insurer Hiscox showed that 17% of all small businesses were formed after the founders had been made redundant and over 50% of new entrepreneurs had simply taken an existing business idea and used it as a template of their own.

Insurantz found that nearly half of all businesses were started with less than £5k of their own capital and for sole traders 40% had only used £1k to set up on their own

It’s time we started taking control and changing the headlines – everyone is in charge of their own destiny, what’s yours?

We are looking to change the headlines by offering limited edition workshop places with Nina on how you can take your idea to market and become tomorrows success story – if you are interested get in touch

I am drawn to how she became the most powerful female leader since the age of Queen Elizabeth, a person who tore apart the rule book with regards to gender and class and why that didn’t open the floodgates of women who believed they could do the same…what happened why don’t we have at least a handful of women who followed the trailblazing path she made and are rule making now?

So I thought about my own position…did MT make me think about going into politics…yes, in fact tried it at a local level and I hated everything about it. Did she inspire me to do anything else…yes, I always saw her smashing that glass ceiling as a moment that signified women could do anything, between her and the Queen, women were holding the most powerful positions in our country, the world was mine for the taking. So I looked to see if these role models have contributed to the shrinking of the entrepreneurship gender gap, what I found sent me into a depressive state.

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2010 Womens Report makes miserable reading for an optimist like me. Although these are global statistics the UK is not a beacon of hope and the bit that made my heart sink the most was “compared to men, women are equally likely to see entrepreneurship as attractive, yet they lack positive attitudes about their own personal capacities or inclinations for starting businesses, and they have less personal contact with entrepreneurs.” WHY?

“in only one of these 59 economies (Ghana) did more women participate in entrepreneurship than men. While most policymakers and academics agree that entrepreneurship is a catalyst for economic growth and national competitiveness, they must also acknowledge that not all groups in their societies have equal access to this endeavor. When a major part of a population does not engage in entrepreneurship,these economies lose the benefits that would otherwise be provided by new products and services, additional revenues, and new jobs. More specifically, when women do not participate equally in entrepreneurship, society loses out on the value that can be created by half its populace.”(Gem Consortium)

At the same time I came across some female statistics that are on the increase. 1 in 4 assaults now committed is by a women under the age of 25, horrifying tales about the rise of Girl Gangs. So on one hand, women are still insecure about their own capacity to be an entrepreneur on the other hand they are fighting back on the streets. I don’t want to generalise or trivialise very complex issues but its hard not to join some dots and look at cause and effect…

MT did ignite our capitalist culture, she followed her fathers view that not everyone was equal and never would be, but it didn’t mean we couldn’t aspire to and have the same things. Her policies made that possible and did start the “what’s in it for me” boom that so many benefited from (privatisation, home ownership, etc.). Past her reign because the going was good those policies spanned political parties and we have seen a deterioration of the social structure that had been in place, families have become broken, estranged and extended, respect for others has become tribal and some people don’t feel guilty about robbing – they just see it as getting something they want.

Is this the legacy of the first and only female PM? No, it’s the legacy of many decisions made by many people but we can only ever look back and learn and I for one think that that’s something worth doing as we find ourselves at another turning point for our country. MT was elected at a point in time where strong leadership was critical and she provided that, I’m not so confident our current coalition are doing the same. So do we wait or do we do something?

I don’t believe in positive discrimination and I’m not a member of any women’s groups but I don’t like what I’m hearing and I am more about the do something than waiting for something to happen. So anyone women reading this who wants some help setting up their business or wanting to know where to start, call me 07837 536979 or email ninadar@cheeky-monkey.co and I will give my help for free. For me MT’s legacy was “do something rather than try and be somebody” our culture could definitely benefit from that right now.