Request bottom-up input!
Article#: 00025
Date: 2020-08-08
Author: Radim
Upper and top management should regularly walk around the company to observe and communicate how things are really developing throughout the company on a daily basis.
When upper management is visible, available and interested in their staff from bottom up in the company, communication improves, problems get resolved and trust is built.
Ask individual employees how they are doing, what they like and dislike, what they would do differently, and if there’s anything you can do to improve their work flow and results. Fulfill your promises!
Let employees at different levels of the company propose solutions to company questions!
You'll get unique perspectives that the management team might not have had.
Employees identify better with the company and trust management and their decisions.
Reference:
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Comment#: 00001
Date: 2021-02-11
User: Radim
The rapid technological development offers a big number of new possibilities. Initiative and new ideas must come from every employee in the company.
Comment#: 00003
Date: 2023-07-25
User: Radim
"Yes, it absolutely makes sense for the boss to ask employees how they would solve a problem. In fact, it is a highly beneficial and strategic management approach for several reasons:
1. Employee Empowerment: When the boss asks employees for their input on problem-solving, it empowers them and shows that their opinions and expertise are valued. This can boost their confidence and motivation, leading to increased job satisfaction and a stronger sense of ownership over their work.
2. Enhanced Problem-Solving: Employees at various levels of the organization bring diverse perspectives and insights. By involving them in the process, the boss can tap into a collective intelligence that can lead to more comprehensive and innovative solutions.
3. Higher Engagement and Morale: Employees are more engaged and committed to their work when they feel that their voices are heard and their ideas are considered. This heightened engagement can positively impact overall team morale and productivity.
4. Building Trust and Collaboration: Seeking input from employees fosters a culture of trust and collaboration. It encourages open communication and breaks down hierarchical barriers, enabling a more cooperative work environment.
5. Identifying Strengths and Skill Development: Asking for employee input can help the boss identify individual strengths and skills within the team. It provides opportunities for employees to showcase their abilities and may lead to their professional development.
6. Better Decision-Making: Involving employees in problem-solving can lead to better decision-making. It allows the boss to access a wider range of information and insights, reducing the likelihood of making hasty or uninformed choices.
7. Adapting to Change: Employees who are involved in the problem-solving process are more likely to embrace changes resulting from the chosen solution. This is because they feel a sense of ownership over the decision and are more invested in its success.
8. Continuous Improvement: Encouraging employees to participate in solving problems promotes a culture of continuous improvement. It fosters a proactive approach to addressing issues and challenges, which can lead to long-term organizational growth.
Overall, asking employees how they would solve a problem is not only sensible but also a strategic and effective leadership practice. It can lead to increased collaboration, employee satisfaction, and improved problem-solving outcomes for the organization as a whole."
- https://chat.openai.com (Does it make sense for the boss to ask the employees how they would solve the problem?)
Comment#: 00004
Date: 2023-08-11
User: Radim
"How to eliminate fifty percent of your business worries.
Everyone who wishes to present a problem to me must first prepare and submit a memorandum answering these four questions:
1. What is the problem?
2. What is the cause of the problem?
3. What are all the possible solutions of the problem?
4. What solution do you suggest?
My associates rarely come to me now with their problems. Why? Because they've discovered that in order to answer those four questions, they have to get all the facts and think their problems through. And they've done that, they find in three-fourths of the the cases they don't have to consult me at all because the proper solution has popped out like a piece o fbread popping up from an electric toaster. Even in those cases where consultation is snecessary the discussion takes about one-third of the time formely required because it proceeds along an orderly, logical path to a reason conclusion."
- Dale Carnegie. Crescent News (1944). How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKzlc_N2yxw (01:07:50 - 01:09:53)
Comment#: 00005
Date: 2023-08-11
User: Radim
"Basic techniques in analysing worry:
Rule 1 - get the fact. Half the worry in the wold is caused by people trying to make decisions before they have sufficient knowledge on which to base a decision.
Rule 2 - after carefully weighing all the facts come to a decision.
Rule 3 - once a decision is carefully reached, act, get busy carrying out your decision and dismiss all enxiety about the outcome.
Rule 4 - when you or any of your associates are tempted to worry about a problem, write out and anser the following questions:
a) What is the problem?
b) What is the cause of the problem?
c) What are all possible solutions?
d) What is the best solution?"
- Dale Carnegie. Crescent News (1944). How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKzlc_N2yxw (01:12:50 - 01:13:50)
Comment#: 00007
Date: 2023-09-11
User: Radim
Does it make sense to think about digitalization if we don't see any use case?
"If you don't see any practical use case or clear benefit for digitalization in your specific situation, it may not make sense to pursue it blindly. Digitalization should always align with your organization's goals and needs. Here are some considerations:
1. Assess Business Objectives: Start by identifying your organization's objectives and challenges. Digitalization should align with your strategic goals, whether it's improving efficiency, reaching new markets, enhancing customer experiences, or reducing costs.
2. Customer Demands: Consider whether your customers or clients expect or would benefit from digital solutions. If there's no demand for digital services, investing in them may not provide a return on investment.
3. Competitive Landscape: Analyze your competition. If your competitors are effectively utilizing digital technologies to gain a competitive advantage, it might be necessary to explore digitalization to stay relevant.
4. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis to determine if the potential benefits of digitalization outweigh the costs. If the investment doesn't offer a reasonable return, it might not be justified.
5. Resource Availability: Evaluate whether you have the necessary resources, including financial resources, technical expertise, and staff training, to implement and sustain digital solutions effectively.
6. Future Growth: Consider the scalability of your organization. Even if you don't currently see a clear use case for digitalization, it's essential to think about your organization's future growth and whether digital technologies could play a role in that growth.
7. Technology Trends: Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies. While there may not be an immediate use case, technological advancements could create new opportunities down the line.
8. Customer Feedback: Engage with your customers or stakeholders to gather feedback on their needs and preferences. They may provide insights that could uncover potential use cases for digitalization.
9. Pilot Projects: Instead of a full-scale digital transformation, consider starting with smaller pilot projects to test the waters and assess the feasibility and impact of digital solutions in a controlled environment.
10. Consult Experts: Seek advice from digital transformation consultants or experts in your industry. They can provide insights into potential use cases and help you determine if digitalization is appropriate for your organization.
In some cases, it may indeed be the case that digitalization doesn't make sense for your organization at a given time. However, it's essential to regularly revisit this assessment as technology and business landscapes evolve. What might not be relevant today could become essential in the future. Ultimately, the decision to pursue digitalization should be guided by a thorough understanding of your organization's unique needs and circumstances."
- https://chat.openai.com (Does it make sense to think about digitalization if we don't see any use case?)
Comment#: 00008
Date: 2023-09-13
User: Radim
Often the person who knows the answer or the right way is closer than you think. All you have to do is ask.
Comment#: 00009
Date: 2023-09-15
User: Radim
Complaints and identified problems are good sources of innovation.
Comment#: 00010
Date: 2023-10-02
User: Radim
How to get the right intuition?
"Developing and honing your intuition can be a valuable skill, but it's important to remember that intuition is inherently subjective and can't always be "right" in an objective sense. However, you can work on improving the accuracy and reliability of your intuition by following these tips:
1. Increase Your Knowledge and Experience: The more you know about a particular subject or domain, the better your intuition is likely to be within that area. Gain expertise and experience through study, practice, and exposure.
2. Trust Your Gut: Pay attention to your gut feelings or initial impressions. Sometimes, your subconscious mind processes information faster than your conscious mind, leading to intuitive insights. Don't dismiss these feelings outright; give them consideration.
3. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. This self-awareness can improve your ability to recognize and trust your intuition.
4. Keep a Journal: Maintain a journal where you record your intuitive hunches and the outcomes. Over time, this can help you assess the accuracy of your intuition and learn from your experiences.
5. Seek Feedback: Discuss your intuitive insights with trusted friends, mentors, or colleagues. They can provide valuable perspectives and help you refine your intuition by offering feedback on your decisions.
6. Validate with Data: When possible, seek out data or information that can confirm or refute your intuitive impressions. This can help you develop a more evidence-based form of intuition.
7. Relax and Clear Your Mind: High-stress levels or a cluttered mind can cloud your intuition. Engage in relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation to clear your mind and enhance your intuitive abilities.
8. Ask Open-Ended Questions: When facing a problem or decision, ask yourself open-ended questions and let your mind wander. This can stimulate creative and intuitive thinking.
9. Learn from Mistakes: Embrace your intuition's imperfections. When your intuition leads you astray, use those experiences as learning opportunities. Analyze what went wrong and adjust your intuition accordingly.
10. Practice Patience: Sometimes, intuition needs time to develop. Don't rush your decision-making process if you're unsure. Give yourself the space to allow your intuition to emerge.
11. Combine with Analysis: Balance your intuition with analytical thinking. For important decisions, use your intuition as an initial guide but then follow up with critical analysis and data-driven assessment.
12. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Understand and manage your emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence can enhance your ability to perceive and interpret your own and others' emotional signals, which can inform your intuition.
Remember that intuition can vary from person to person, and it's not always infallible. It's a skill that you can refine over time, but it's also important to recognize its limitations and use it as a complementary tool alongside rational thinking and evidence-based decision-making when appropriate."
- https://chat.openai.com (How to get the right intuition?)
Comment#: 00011
Date: 2023-10-04
User: Radim
"Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow."
- Plato
Comment#: 00013
Date: 2023-10-06
User: Radim
"Having the right boss early in your career is a huge blessing."
- Sandeep M.