Diversity

"With the casino and the beds, our passengers will have at least two ways to get lucky on one of our flights."

Richard Branson .

There is a lot of truth in what Mr Branson has said here.  Having a single product that only does one thing or achieves one output just isn't doing enough.  You may have one product - but that product must have multiple benefits or outcomes if it is going to be successful.

Here is an idea based on research theory.  Every piece of research should have three outputs -

1. The actual research.
2. The peer review.
3. The publication of the findings.

So from one base piece of research the researcher and the backing organisation actually record three separate outcomes from the one piece of work.

One of the great lessons I learned from my MBA lecturer Jens Mueller was to be able to "smell the money".  What may seem like a basic or simple business design fron the front may actually have many different value adding or revenue increasing opportunites that you just haven't seen yet.

So the question is - how many outcomes do you produce in your line of work?  Can you measure those outcomes?  And who do those outcomes affect?

(Image:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/techshownetwork/2949820010/)

Being Successful

Once again the good folks at HBR.org took the words right out of my mouth.  So here is what they wrote -

"Success in business is not about having the most brilliant answer. It's about having a workable solution — and that requires developing an understanding of the unwritten rules of the organization.

To become more persuasive and effective, figure out who and what really matters. Ask successful people at your company what approaches and relationships help them most.

Be curious about the ways people get things done and observe the inner workings of projects and initiatives you aren't part of by building relationships with influential people. All of the information you gather can contribute to your own success in the future."

How to Decipher (and Achieve) Success at Your Company  (June 22, 2010)

Motivating People

I have found in my experience it is better to manage staff with a carrot than a stick. When people operate out of fear or a lack of security then they are not in the best mind space to give their best.

Here are a few tips for creating a work environment that will enable workers to give their best -

1. Talk about the situation using positivity.  This is not a call to ignore the truth but rather be careful and smart about the way you present the facts and express the situation. 
2. Reverse the negative to create positive results.  If the business or organisation is in trouble financially there are two ways to inform employees of how they can contribute to change.  The first os to tell them redundancies are coming and the doors will soon be closing.  The second way is to get the employees to start making positive changes in their areas to lift production and end results.
3. Reinforce changes and positive results using tangible rewards.  When staff start to contribute and make changes to their work make sure they and thanked and when possible rewarded for their efforts.

If you choose to use fear as a self-motivator that is your choice.  If you choose to use fear as a motivator for others - I would ask that you reconsider.

You can also check out this article by the Credit Union Times that speaks about the negative effects of using fear as a motivator.