Kevin Kelly’s Blog

“Our company has, indeed, stumbled onto some of its new products. But never forget that you can only stumble if you’re moving.”

Richard P. Carlton, Former CEO, 3M Corporation, 1950

Imagine you are pitching for a Christening party to a Mother, Father and new arrival – what must you do to secure the deal? What should be the focus of your attention, or at minimum some attention?

The majority of people with a minimum of negotiating skill would accept that acknowledging the presence of the new arrival could potentially be a deal breaker.

I would agree! However I have learned to integrate a message given to me by a learned man two decades ago – the message NEVER ASSUME because it makes an ASS of U and ME!

When we visited a hotel on two occassions enquiring about a Christening party, the less than inspired manager managed to avoid any reference to our pride and joy!

New research from Columbia University which focused on the success factors behind breakthrough companies in the US showed that their performance wasn’t down to breakthrough ideas; it was down to “exceptional execution of ordinary ideas.”

Our manager in question wasn’t in the breakthrough thinking mode!

How can your organisation focus more on exceptional execution?

According to new research conducted by Cranfield School of Management in co-operation with the British Charity Working Families, there is a positive relationship between flexible working practices and employee performance.

The traditional working day 9-5 is now a thing of the past, as is the term ”Boss” as we used to know it.

“Example isn’t the main form of influence, it is the only form of influence.”

Albert Schweitzer

“Make timely decisions, not perfect decisions.”

Anne Mulcahy CEO Xerox

Source Sunday Times June 01