Re-invent – that’s an ominous word…Its definition is “to change something so much that it appears to be something new” and “to take up a very different approach.” As we reflect on history, several companies invented or re-invented themselves during difficult times, including Airbnb, Groupon, Uber, and Instagram to name a few.

As we continue to migrate through the changes brought on by COVID-19, this time affords us with the opportunity to step back and re-invent our products and services. As we do this, here are some questions to consider:

What products and services your Company offers will have minimal impact due to the changes created by COVID-19? Do you even know?
Do you need to assess your existing products and services to determine if they need a re-invention to stay relevant in this time of transition? Are there some products/services that will no longer be effective during this time?
What can your Company do to re-re-invent itself? Are those changes minor or will it require a completely different approach?

Companies have the challenge – and opportunity – during this time to hit the “reset” button so they are positioned for this time of transition. If we do not see this is a chance to re-invent, then we are missing the opportunities that can be created.

Are you overwhelmed with the what, how, and when to re-invent your Company’s services and products? We can facilitate a session (virtually, of course) to help you evaluate what your options are as you re-invent through this time. Contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com to discuss further.

Have you noticed that most sports have sayings that only a fan would understand?

“The more I sweat in practice, the less I bleed in battle.”
“Refuse to lose.”
“Train hard. Win easy.”
“Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.”
“You may be strong but we are stronger.”

During this season of COVID-19, we have introduced terms and phrases that are unique to this time:

“Shelter in place”
“Stay home”
“New normal”
“PPE”
“Essential workers”

As Leaders, during this unprecedented time, our words can make a difference. What do our words convey? Are our words of encouragement and hope? Words can inspire, motivate, and comfort our Teams during this time. The words we chose have an impact. We decide if that impact is positive.

My COO Resources was designed to help organizations identify the operational issues that can be obstacles for success. To learn more, see our website at www.MyCOOResources.com or contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. Stay safe.

The sources of “pain” within an organization can be anything from unhappy Customers to a failed implementation to rapid growth to … yes, it can be almost anything. Unfortunately, we as Leaders are guilty of waiting too long to address the pain that an issue is causing. This can result in crisis and disaster.

We encourage you to look at your organization and find those “pain points” that are causing discomfort and begin to address them instead of ignoring them.

A famous author confessed that he sometimes would spend days constructing pages for a concept that he thought aligned with his book’s theme. After drafting many pages, he would discover that what he had created was completely out of focus with his original theme. He admitted this created lots of wasted time, as well as bogging down his goal of completing his book within the deadline.  

This can be called “going down a rabbit hole” in which someone follows a path that does not lead him/her to where he really wants to go.

This out-of-focus experience can impact authors as well as organizations. It can occur at all levels especially when Leadership and/or Staff do not have clearly defined processes that align with the organization’s vision and mission. When this occurs, time, energy, and resources are wasted and can create frustration.

How can this rabbit hole experience be avoided? Here are some hints:

• Routinely communicate the organization’s vision, mission, and purpose both internally and externally
• Ensure all impacted Staff understand those processes that are most critical to the organization’s success
• Evaluate tasks that are performed to ensure everyone is clear on the organization’s purpose
• Avoid the trap of wasting time on tasks that do not meet the organization’s objectives

Need help to avoid falling down the rabbit hole? Don’t hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com to discuss how we can help. Also, check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

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A mouse typically weighs less than a pound, has a lifespan of 1 – 3 years, can multiply into 20 mice in less than 3 months, and can scare us to death. If we see it running across our yard or our kitchen floor, for some of us it can almost cause a heart attack. I recall only one time seeing a mouse in my house and when I saw it, I jumped up on my countertop in a single bound – a feat I did not realize I was capable of doing.

How can something so small and insignificant frighten us so much? Per several websites, it is the most common fear known phobia.

What does mice have to do with operational effectiveness? It emphasizes that there can be some really small things within our organizations that should frighten us as much as a mouse running across our floor. A small thing, like a mouse, can eventually create major issues if it goes unaddressed and can multiply out of control.

Here are some examples of seemingly small issues that if not addressed can create major problems:

• Missing steps in a process – especially if a different step is missed each time the process is performed
• Ignoring Customer concerns and/or complaints
• Delaying the steps necessary to comply with regulatory requirements
• Lack of clarity related to priorities and/or focus
• Unclearly defined roles and responsibilities
• Unmitigated risks that can morph into catastrophic issues

Do not ignore those little issues. Let us help you identify them before they grow into some really big challenges. Don’t hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com to discuss how we can help. Also, check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

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If you have spent any time with young children, you know their favorite response to almost anything you tell them is “Why?”
     Eat your broccoli…. Why?

     Sit down…. Why?

     Stop doing that…. Why?

     Please be quiet for 5 minutes . . . Why?

     Brush your teeth . . . Why?

It is exhausting for parents when the child responds with the “why?” Yet, we could learn something from those youngsters. Looking at Life through the “Why” view allows us to ensure we are making sense of our small space in this world. It is especially applicable to the approach in which we do business:

• Why are we performing a task in a certain way?
• Why are our Clients happy (or unhappy) with the services/products we provide?
• Why does Staff stay (or leave)?
• Why is it taking so long to complete certain tasks or projects?
• Why are we not meeting our goals and objectives?

The list of questions to consider is almost infinite.

As Leaders, we should CONSTANTLY be asking the “Why?” question. It is imperative if we want our organization to stay relevant and sustainable.

Is it time you asked some “why’s?” We have a proven facilitation methodology that can help you as Leaders consider those questions you have not recently asked. Contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com to discuss how we can help. Also, check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

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Not long ago, I had my regular visit to my Optometrist. The doctor asked if I was experiencing any problems, if my vision was OK… all the standard questions at the beginning of a vision checkup. I let him know that all was well and that the only reason I was there was because he cannot renew my contacts’ prescription without a check-up.

As the doctor did his examine, he discovered that my eyesight had in fact changed and that my prescription was now too strong. When I tried the new contacts, I was shocked at how much better I could see. I had not even realized I had a problem. Yet, with the right prescription, I was able to see so much more clearly.

This reminded me of what can happen with Business Leaders. We are so sure that all is well but we do not “see clearly” as to the issues and/or risks that are impacting our areas of responsibility. Leaders sometimes have “blind spots” to what plagues their organizations. Examples of potential blind spots include:

•  Staff’s frustration and/or confusion as to unclear or changing priorities
•  Clients’ dissatisfaction with products/services provided
•  Projects consistently are not completed and/or are delayed
•  Production results are under goal, yet, Staff seems to be working   at capacity
•  Clients are not renewing but it is unclear as to why

The adage “no news is good news” represents how some Leaders are limited in the “view” of their organization’s issues. Not “seeing clearly” will eventually have a negative impact on the Company’s sustainability and growth.

Does your organization need a fresh look at how you do business? Do not hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com.
Also check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

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I recently read an article that said that sharks do not bite when they are not hungry. The article explained that a recently fed shark is satisfied so it has little desire to bite.

This gave me pause and reminded me of so many Leaders who are not hungry: the Company is doing OK, there are Customers to satisfy, there is minimum Staff turnover, revenue could be better, but it is fine. The list varies by Leader, but the message is that we can become satisfied with the status quo. That “good” is “good enough.”

However, if you are hungry for “better” and if you are not satisfied with how it is, you are more prone to accomplish more.

Since we are halfway through the year, it is time to consider if you are hungry for “more” for you and your Company. Think about the following:

• What would “better” look like for you and your Company?
• What are the risks if you stay with the status quo?
• What do you have yet to accomplish in 2019 that requires more focus?
• What obstacles do you need to overcome?
• Are you spending more time “in” the business or “on” the business?

Recognizing that status quo of “good enough” creates mediocrity, being hungry for “more” can be the first step to exceptional success. Questions? Do not hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. Also, check out our previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?cat=3

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 “Gotong royong” is an Indonesian phrase that means “mutual cooperation.” It speaks to having members of a community come together to achieve a common goal.

The power that comes with working together for “mutual cooperation” is applicable in all aspects of our lives and can be very valuable in business. As business leaders, we sometimes forget that this can create mutually beneficial results as we work together.

How can this be applied? Here is a short list:

• Participate with a group of other Leaders to share ideas and create synergies.
• Collaborate with other Business Owners to offer products/services jointly.
• Form a Trusted Alliances’ group that routinely meets, focused on assisting each other to achieve each Member’s long term goals.
• Utilize Experts to achieve goals that may not be fulfilled without their expertise.

We, at Aldridge Kerr/My COO Resources, believe in “gotong royong” as we see the benefits!! Find a way to create mutual cooperation for you and your Company in the next week!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. Also check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?cat=3 

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In 1770, the British engineer, Edward Nairne accidentally invented the eraser. At that time to correct marks on paper, crusts of bread were often used. However, Nairne mistakenly picked up a piece of rubber and it erased the mistake much easier than bread ever had. A whole new industry was started.

Then, in 1839, Charles Goodyear improved on the rubber by inventing a method of curing the rubber: vulcanization. It made rubber more durable and allowed for the eraser to become a household item.

Often, we as Business Leaders become set in the methods in which we do business. This causes missed new opportunities and options not previously explored. Sometimes that fresh view can lead to major innovations and sometimes it simply improves how your Company performs its day-to-day tasks (processes).  Either way, taking a look at your processes can lead to options not previous considered.

One challenge with assessing your processes is that you may be too close to them to see something new and different. That is when an external Resource (such as Aldridge Kerr or My COO Resources) can be so valuable. We can more easily see solutions that you would typically miss.

If you are ready to explore other options, do not hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. Also, check out our previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

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