It can be helpful to use analogies to inspire new ideas. I have leveraged a brainstorming tool for years called the Magic Tool Box. In this exercise one uses a box full of tools as a metaphor for solving the problem at hand. The objective is to spur new thinking. I leveraged this brainstorming exerciseContinue reading “A Creative Method For Developing Innovative Solutions: Magic Tool Box”
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True Organizational Culture Change: “Everyone Talks Different”
The #culturechange that Sandra Johnson engineered at a challenging City Government division is the most astounding cultural turn around that I have ever witnessed. An informal City leader who missed 50% of the meetings due to an illness came back and said, “I don’t know what happened but all I can say is everyone talks different.” It isContinue reading “True Organizational Culture Change: “Everyone Talks Different””
No more Drivel! Give us the Practical and Useful.
There is no substitute for business advice which is practical and useful. Yes, I am talking about suggestions which actually work. … As in make things better in the real world! Drivel, on the other hand, is defined as “silly nonsense”. Unfortunately there is a lot of these unhelpful opinions flying around our field ofContinue reading “No more Drivel! Give us the Practical and Useful.”
Am I On Track With My Professional Purpose? [“Start With Why”]
“The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.”—-Mark Twain Mark Twain offers up the profound idea that our primary mission in life is discovering why we are here. Once we have a driving reason for getting up each and every morning ourContinue reading “Am I On Track With My Professional Purpose? [“Start With Why”]”
A Productivity Win Via An Electronic Bike
No more long exhausting automobile commutes! Yesterday I purchased an electronic bicycle that I am using to travel to and from work. My automobile commute involved heading far north and south of my final destination, while the bike path runs directly as the crow flies from my home to my office. As an organizational developmentContinue reading “A Productivity Win Via An Electronic Bike”
If Mayors Ruled the World!
If Mayors Ruled the World [http://bit.ly/1kq50ah] it would be a better place! This premise of a recently released book is becoming increasingly true as each day passes. As gridlock and a circus-like atmosphere permeates Washington, with many State governments not far behind, the important work being carried out at the City level chugs on! DuringContinue reading “If Mayors Ruled the World!”
How to Renew Your Organization
Whipping down the streets of Washington D.C. in a taxi, I was dreading my arrival at a recent business acquisition. I mistakenly believed that my organizational design role was to break the hearts of these leaders. Twenty years earlier, they had founded a company in their garage and now they had made it big, havingContinue reading “How to Renew Your Organization”
A Quick Approach for Developing Impactful Business Processes
Organizational fatigue has set in regarding launching large-scale re-engineering and process improvement efforts. The time and resources it takes to carry out a major re-haul of processes is daunting. Besides, too many organizations have experienced too little benefit from these massive efforts. The solution to this challenge, however, should not be inaction. Crafting business processesContinue reading “A Quick Approach for Developing Impactful Business Processes”
Organizational Structure: Start with Design Principles
It would be foolish to design a home without first thinking through your needs. How much living space do you need? How many bedrooms? What style do you like? However, organizations are built each and every day without considering these types of fundamental questions around what the design is attempting to accomplish. In order toContinue reading “Organizational Structure: Start with Design Principles”
Organizational Change Management Employee Assessment Tools
Organizational Change Management (OCM) is essentially about People Readiness for an upcoming work place change. The practice can involve working with leadership, employees, internal customers and other parties to ensure that they are prepared for a new product, service, technology tool, etc. However, it is important to focus on the readiness of the employees whoContinue reading “Organizational Change Management Employee Assessment Tools”
Kevin Anderson, Dr. Organizational Design 