http://thinkinghow.com a journey into thinking, ideas, creativity and innovation Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:52:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 2006-2007 steve@thinkinghow.com (thinkinghow.com) steve@thinkinghow.com (thinkinghow.com) posts http://thinkinghow.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://thinkinghow.com 144 144 a journey into thinking, ideas, creativity and innovation thinkinghow.com thinkinghow.com steve@thinkinghow.com no no http://thinkinghow.com/embrace-ideas/ http://thinkinghow.com/embrace-ideas/#comments Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:06:46 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=309 http://thinkinghow.com/embrace-ideas/feed/ 0 http://thinkinghow.com/providing-value-beats-the-billable-hour/ http://thinkinghow.com/providing-value-beats-the-billable-hour/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:02:44 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=302 http://thinkinghow.com/providing-value-beats-the-billable-hour/feed/ 0 http://thinkinghow.com/is-the-boss-always-the-problem/ http://thinkinghow.com/is-the-boss-always-the-problem/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:56:04 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=271 http://thinkinghow.com/is-the-boss-always-the-problem/feed/ 1 1:47 I've commented recently on the need to retain an innovative mindset to make the best of the current economic situation. In fact I'm certain that ... I've commented recently on the need to retain an innovative mindset to make the best of the current economic situation. In fact I'm certain that those who are creative at this time are building innovative businesses for the future. But what about everyone else? I'm not really a TV watcher but One Reality TV genre has me facinated and is providing some insights. It's the "business makeover" show. You know the type - Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, Ruth Watson as The Hotel Inspector, and Tabatha Coffey's Salon Makeovers. I'm sure there's others. I know that these are highly produced and edited for dramatic effect - BUT - they all have a common thread. The Boss is always the problem. So this made me think. If these programs highlight bad operators, what are the characteristics of a good operator? Here's a list that I've put together (in no particular order). What would you add or take off this list? Leave me a comment and let me know. Understand why customers choose you and make that experience better. Value every customer and put a value on every customer. Provides value to the customers (note: this does not mean cheap!) Builds good people and trusts them to deliver. Invests in quality infrastructure, systems and processes. Looks for ways to maximize revenue. Watches the pennies. Builds trusted relationships with experts and advisors. Doesn't do things just because everyone else does. Doesn't over complicate things (keeps it simple). All these characteristics create an environment where the objectives of the business are clear, risks are managed, and opportunities for creative thought are encouraged, welcomed, and actioned. So, if you're the Boss get your head around this list. And you can't don't blame the troops, they're doing the best they can in environment you've created for them. Go set the example and they will follow. Business, Doing, Inspiration, Problem Solving, Solutions, Thinking, Tools & Resources steve@thinkinghow.com no no http://thinkinghow.com/innovation-in-a-down-economy/ http://thinkinghow.com/innovation-in-a-down-economy/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:36:51 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=243 http://thinkinghow.com/innovation-in-a-down-economy/feed/ 3