Book Review: ‘How the Mighty Fall’, by Jim Collins

How the Mighty Fall

Why we like this book:

Jim Collins always writes his books based on quality research as opposed to the cheerleading that we see in many management books. He also has a very conversational tone, which makes it very easy to read and retain his key ideas. How the Mighty Fall is not a book about the Global Financial Collapse, although its timing was almost perfect, and the lessons to be learned from the book and the research certainly may have helped some of the organizations. Probably those who need to read this book most are those that are running companies (or departments within companies) that are doing particularly well. As Collins points out, organizations that convince themselves they are doing very well often self-delude themselves into ignoring blind spots that become all too evident after the fact.

We think this is an easy, informative read, and worth the time to do so. What about you – what do you think?

Jed & Bob

How to Build a Communication Plan

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You should never hesitate to initiate a communication plan even if you are a lower-level manager.  Think about it – if your organization is undergoing a significant change but has not communicated it well, you can still create a communication plan for your direct reports so that they have a better idea of what is going on.

The techniques of effective communication are not difficult, but require discipline to execute.  A written communication plan will assist in establishing and maintaining the required discipline.  In some cases, a communications plan can be written on one sheet of paper.  In other circumstances, the plan may be significantly longer.

This topic bundle is intended to assist managers when they have a specific event or decision to communicate.  Ongoing communication between organizations and employees is better covered in the Communicating for Results Cheat Sheet (coming soon).

Elements of a Good Communication Plan:

  1. Guiding Principles – What are the parameters under which this communication will take place?
  2. Context – What events or conditions staged the necessity for this communication?  What definitions and terms of reference are there?
  3. Purpose or Objectives – What is the communication intended to achieve?
  4. Risk Analysis – What could go wrong with this communication?  What happens if you don’t do it?
  5. Stakeholders Analysis – Who are all concerned parties, and what is the importance of each of them?
  6. Targeting – How will you most effectively reach each stakeholder?
  7. Media – What is the most effective method of communication for each stakeholder?
  8. Budget – What budgetary and other resources will be required to effectively roll out the message?
  9. Assessment – How will you know if the communicationsplan has been successful?

Tips to build an effective communication plan:

  • Consider an effective communication campaign to be very similar to a marketing initiative.
  • Use electronic media such as email and website.  These are usually inexpensive, and can be highly effective
  • Always target your audience properly, and remember that the same message can be communicated differently to different target groups
  • Only ask people for their opinions or feedback if you are prepared to consider their input
  • Prepare an ‘elevator speech’ for what you are communicating.  Be prepared to condense your message into small, easy to understand segments
  • When soliciting feedback or two-way communication, ensure there is media available to support this.  It is not enough to say, “We’d like to hear from you”; there must be infrastructure in place to gather opinions
  • Be very clear on exactly what action, or change in behaviors the communication is intended to address

Get the Complete ‘How to Build a Communication Plan’ Topic Bundle

Get the How to Build a Communication Plan files here

The How to Build a Communication Plan topic bundle includes:

  • How to Build a Communication Plan Cheat Sheet (pdf)
  • How to Build a Communication Plan Booklet (pdf) containing:
    • In-Depth Topic Overview
    • When to Create a Communication Plan
    • 9 Critical Elements of a Communication Plan
    • Communication Plan Template
    • Example of a Communication Plan for an Organizational Change
    • Media Decision Worksheet
    • Recommended Resources – where to find out even more about How to Build a Communication Plan
  • Easy-print versions of the tools contained in the How to Build a Communication Plan Booklet (pdf)
  • How to Build a Communication Plan Podcast (mp3)
  • How to Build a Communication Plan Podcast Slides (Powerpoint)
Get instant access to the complete ‘How to Build a Communication Plan’ Topic Bundle…

 

Time and Priority Management

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Every manager struggles with the amount that s/he has to accomplish in the very limited amount of time each week.  By employing a few simple techniques, managers can gain greater control over their work lives, and enhance their productivity.

Why time and priority management techniques often fail:

  • Normally people attempt to be more efficient with their time when they should be assessing their effectiveness
  • You will be more effective when you do less, as opposed to trying to cram more into your day

The 5 Keys to improved time and priority management:

  • Being aware of ‘time wasters’ that affect us daily
  • Setting a limited number of achievable goals, and learning when and how to say “No”
  • Planning time around higher level goals
  • Overcoming procrastination
  • Decrease the number, and improve the quality of the meetings you attend

Ten things you can do right now to improve time management:

  1. Forward the phone when necessary for short periods of time
  2. Turn off the email chime, and only tend to your email two or three times per day.  Do not respond to emails in real time if you can avoid it
  3. Keep focused on the ‘end product’ at all times.  If you cannot see a clear line of site between a particular activity and a high level goal, then that activity should be questioned
  4. Learn and follow your rhythm – Assign tasks to the appropriate time of the day or week.  If you are a morning person, schedule tasks requiring concentration and effort early in the day
  5. Carry tasks to completion.  Do not allow tasks to linger
  6. Avoid picking-up and putting-down – get small irritations off your desk now
  7. Arrange set times for recurring tasks
  8. Set specific times not to be disturbed.  An open door policy is a good idea, but there’s nothing wrong with closing that door for one hour per day
  9. Learn to say “No” by clearly articulating your goals.  If a task or activity does not clearly relate to one of your goals you should push back at whether you should be involved in that task
  10. Develop an ‘unexpected visitor’ strategy.  Regularly scheduled one with one meetings with direct reports can pre-empt multiple interruptions during a week because those employees will save their issues for the appropriate time.

Finally, be aware of the 80-20 rule and how it applies to you.  Managers who make it look easy clearly understand that 80% of their results come from 20% of their effort, and they focus relentlessly on that 20%.  Less effective managers try to please all people all the time, and end up frustrating those around them and themselves in the process.

Get the Complete ‘Time and Priority Management’ Topic Bundle

Get the Time and Priority Management files here

The Time and Priority Management topic bundle includes:

  • Time and Priority Management Cheat Sheet (pdf)
  • Time and Priority Management Booklet (pdf) containing:
    • In-Depth Topic Overview
    • The 5 Keys to Time and Priority Management
    • 10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Improve Time Management
    • Time and Priority Management Audit Tool
    • One on One Meeting Tracking Form
    • 10 Points to More Effective Meetings
    • Structured To-Do List
    • How to Value Your Time According to the 80-20 Rule
    • Weekly Planning Tool
    • Recommended Resources – where to find out even more about Time and Priority Management
  • Easy-print versions of the tools contained in the Time and Priority Management Booklet (pdf)
  • Time and Priority Management Podcast (mp3)
  • Time and Priority Management Podcast Slides (Powerpoint)
Get instant access to the complete ‘Time and Priority Management’ Topic Bundle…

 

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