Monthly Archives: November 2012

You Can’t Think With Your Tool Belt On® – 09/11/24

By Wayne McKinnon | Published November 24, 2012
artwork toolbelt
 

Why things take so long to get done?

Whether it be large corporate projects, specific work assignments or even tasks around the house, the biggest delays occur at decision points.

The clearer the criteria, the faster time to decide. If there are delays, the decision point usually more closely resembles a big ball of string that needs to be untangled, rather than a well thought out process that can be applied to similar situations again and again.

Why is it then that when process is discussed, people run and hide, claiming that if they are made to follow a process it will slow things down?

If your processes resemble red tape instead of accelerators of change then your have a poor process or a poor understanding of that process.

If it is taking too long to get something done, examine the process, look specifically at the decision points, and pre-decide. If you can’t pre-decide, then at least categorize and make general decisions about how those categories should be handled in a more streamlined way.

Process improvement is something that you CAN make up as you go. Over time your process will get better and better, and the time it takes will be less and less.

© Wayne McKinnon 2012. All rights reserved.

 

Posted in You Can't Think With Your Tool Belt on® | Click Here to Share Your Thoughts

The Value Question Revealed

By Wayne McKinnon | Published November 23, 2012

In my last post I posed a challenge to my readers to guess the value that our last renovation provided.

There were many good guesses, from financial savings, reducing my carbon footprint etc. You can read the comment. All very good guesses.

One of the common assumptions is that if you want to save on heating costs then that you should start by replacing old windows. When you hear an assumption, look for evidence. The evidence shows that windows can be considered holes in the walls. When it comes to holding in the heat, better windows are just slightly smaller holes. Since the walls cover most of the area, treat those first, and leave the windows until last.

So, what is the biggest value that we have received from our new windows?

I’ll give you a hint: GEESE!

In the autumn, after their meal they come here to rest.
At 3:am they wake up for a party.

Turn up your speakers and watch the video and you will know what I mean.

The value that I have obtained from the new windows is better physical fitness because I can now get to the gym consistently since I wake up every the morning well rested.
 

geese
geese

Posted in Moving to Work of Higher Value | Click Here to Share Your Thoughts

Can You Guess the Added Value?

By Wayne McKinnon | Published November 8, 2012

In one of my earlier entries I recommended that you not guess about your value. Instead ask the person paying for that value. Well, here is your chance to actually guess.

The earlier example that I used was regarding a recent renovation where we had the windows in our home replaced. We also had insulation added and the exterior refinished.

I mentioned that part of the value was curb appeal. What other value could be derived from the window and exterior renovation?

Don’t be shy, use the comment feature to make a guess (the more outlandish, the more bonus points).

Well? Give it your best shot before I reveal my own answer…

(Click the comments link just below this post, or click the topic heading at the top to view on one page) 

Posted in Wayne McKinnon's Evolutionary Challenge™ | 9 Comments