The other day I was sitting in a client meeting. They were discussing reasons for missing an opportunity. The discussion started with how sales generated it and how the design team squandered it. The design team then pointed out the customer had to revert with videos highlighting the issue. That was never done. They then started discussing how this could be avoided in the future. The decisions made were as follows:
The team would communicate with each other more frequently.
A documented procedure shall be developed to approach such opportunities. It shall define responsibilities and timelines as well as establish a monitoring mechanism.
They shall once again visit the customer and see how that opportunity could be revived.
This seems a perfect, amicable solution. Isn't it? I don't think so. It is a way of avoiding conflict and concealing the real issues under the carpet of bureaucracy. My question to the team was, are they fully involved in pursuing this opportunity? There was a moment of awkward silence. It pointed out the obvious.
We should not make any company bureaucratic. And small companies should certainly shun that path. Instead, they should focus on selecting people who work with intent. When we are involved, we find a way to get things done. We hold each other accountable and work as a team. The emphasis is on the result and not on satisfying each other's ego.
Metrics:
Review the decisions made in your organization.
Are most of your meetings ending with a resolve to work together as a team and developing a detailed action plan? Ask them whether they are really committed to make the initiative a success? Will they do anything to make it successful? If the answer is yes, and it will be, ask whether they need more procedures and plans or simply need to act?
Do this often and prevent bureaucracy from finding roots in your organization.
Subodh
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