Last week’s article talked about crafting marketing message from your customers’ perspectives. This week we will discuss how a simple visual story can simplify a message complicated with symbols and shapes.

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In past articles we have explored the very basic reasons why an organization needs procedures.  My belief is that, no matter how many complex explanations you give or long lists you create, it all boils down to four basic reasons: 

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Last week we brought up the topic of why we need procedures. While some would answer this question by providing very long lists of reasons why, these lists sometimes aren’t useful. They are too long to really remember and absorb, plus there is too much overlap and redundancy. I, however, listed four very basic reasons that I feel demonstrate why we should develop procedures

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“Why do we need policies and procedures?”  Have you heard that question before?  Perhaps you were even the one asking it.  How happy were you with the answer you gave, or with the one you received?  Frequently people struggle to give a clear and meaningful response to such an obvious question. 

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Our theme this month is about setting and reviewing your strategic management plan.  Now is the time to set and review your vision & mission and goals & objectives so that they are in place and fully communicated throughout the organization at the start of the New Year. 

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In the most recent article, we explained how a clear statement of vision can guide members of the organization. This over-arching statement of principle can add clarity and meaning to regular activities. Now is the time for reviewing vision and mission statements, and as well as reviewing and setting goals and objectives for the coming new year.

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Do you know your organization’s vision statement?  Every organization should have one, and it should serve as a guiding principle for its members.  Then, the organization’s mission statement should directly align with the vision statement, and in a more specific way state how the visions is going to be fulfilled. 

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The year 2007 is rapidly coming to a close. With the start of October we are already into the fall holiday backstretch, where the weeks fly by even faster. The best way to close out this business year, especially at the leadership level, is to start thinking about next year.

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“I am here to audit you.”  That phrase can strike fear in most of us, thanks in part to our good friends at the IRS.  In the business world as well, those five words can send a chill down the spine of everyone from the Finance VP to the shipping department clerk.  But it shouldn’t. 

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Let’s say, just prior to taking a commercial flight, that you are talking to your pilot and discussing the technical aspects of the trip. During the discussion, you learn that the plane only has one instrument gauge – an air speed meter. “We just like to focus on one thing, and be really good at it,” explained the pilot. “After we get really good at regulating our air speed,” the pilot continues,

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