One of the most significant innovations in creating and implementing formal processes is using "workflow tools." What does that mean? You ask. That's a good question. I've not talked to many, especially in the church, who are doing anything along these lines. A "workflow process" is all electronic, notifying and prompting people involved in the process along the way. Here's a simple example. Most churches have … [Read more...]
Decisions Based On Data
The "If It's Not Broken, Don't Fix It" Method Of Deciding What Needs "Fixing"
I'm sure you've heard the expression, "If it's not broken, don't fix it." This has been one of my fundamental guidelines for almost as long as I've been a leader. I've seen it so many times. Leaders get bored and think they need to "meddle" in something that doesn't need attention. Based on a "feeling" or "intuition," they focus on something just fine as is. Or, worse yet, a leader who thinks "the problem" is this … [Read more...]
The Performance Cycle
Helping An Organization Leverage The Knowledge And Expertise Of Its Best Leaders
It's all about scalability. How can an organization leverage its leadership? Its knowledge? There are only so many leadership people to go around, and good leaders are extremely difficult to find. So ... building a world-class organization depends on the leader's ability to develop good systems, processes, and methods and make them known (easy to access, learn about, use, and change as needed) to the entire … [Read more...]
Constancy Of Purpose
The First Of W. Edwards Deming's 14 Points
Japan’s phenomenal economic success ushered in a new economic age. Probably no single person is more important in the postwar economic resurgence than W. Edwards Deming, the great statistician who consulted with countless businesses, both Japanese and American, about quality improvement. His book, Out Of The Crisis, was an analysis of why western industry was in such deep trouble and what leadership had to do to … [Read more...]