49 Commonsense Business Observations

In the busy world of business do you, like me, ever have times when you could just do with a book to fill in an hour or so? You know - those times when you have the time but not the means to do some quick and simple learning through reading something that will leave a positive mark.

I have the answer for you.

Joel D Canfield is a friend from the US who I met through Tom Peters Blog. Joel has written a super little book called ‘49 Commonsense Business Observations’ and I have just read it in about one hour. It is written, unsurprisingly in commonsense language and is full of practical tips and ideas about how you can use commonsense to grow your business and your reputation. I recommend this book highly.

Joel and I share a common view about the need for commonsense to underpin all aspects of business and management. He uses this book to illustrate how you can add value to your work and your business through commonsense.

Joel places great emphasis on integrity, honesty and an ethical approach in business and as such he clearly is a man you will do well to take notice of. I know Joel wants to receive feedback about his book and you can see more about him and how to order Joel’s book on his web site. Later this year Joel will be publishing his follow on book called ‘The Commonsense Entrepreneur’

One of the joys of the internet and Blogging is the opportunity to ‘meet’ like minded people with whom I develop friendships that will last. I know Joel is someone who has terrific expertise and commonsense that I will be calling on regularly to increase my learning.

Good luck Joel – you deserve to succeed

My Thought for the Day

Whilst preparing to write a review for a colleague of Sir Richard Branson's book ‘Screw it Lets Do it’ I revisited the book.

I was reminded as early as Page 2 about why I think this is the best business book I’ve read since I read Tom Peters ‘In Search of Excellence’ 25 years ago.

I just love this extract and if this style is good enough for Sir Richard it is certainly good enough for me. How I wish all managers agreed with Sir Richard's view of the world.

‘Then there are those silly little rules that someone has invented for baffling reasons. I always think that if you set up quangos or committees, they will find something useless to do. The world is full of red tape, created by committees with too much time and an overbearing desire for control. Most red tape is a tangled mess of utterly useless, nonsensical jargon. If I want to do something worthwhile – or even just for fun – I won’t let silly rules stop me. I will find a legal way around the rules and give it a go.’

Fox Business Network TV Interview

As a result of the recent article in the New York Times I was invited by Fox Business Network TV to go to London last Friday to take part in a live TV interview that was broadcast in the United States.

The Fox studio overlooks the River Thames and the House of Commons – a marvellous setting.

This was a new and wonderful experience for me and I was impressed with the people at Fox and the whole process.

The interview lasts almost 4 minutes.

New York Times and Simplicity!

I was delighted to see that the world renowned New York Times featured my work and my book on January 8th as part of an article called ‘Good Boss Bad Boss’

Regular Simplicity Blog readers will remember I 'Blogged' about that back on 15th November 2007.

I am thrilled, needless to say.

Click here to read the article

You're NEVER too old!

When I was 16 years old and just starting out on my career in healthcare I thought anyone who had reached 30 was pretty old; people of 40 were well past it and their ambition must have gone; if they were 50 they were old and looking forward to retirement therefore they were slowing down; anyone beyond 60 and still working was ancient, eccentric and needed to be pushed out.

Although now I feel pretty awful about it, those very discriminatory statements were fairly typical of me and my fellow teenagers.

HOW MY OPINIONS HAVE CHANGED!

Most of you will jump to the obvious conclusion that as I am now in my 55th year ‘He would say that wouldn’t he?’

You are right - Of course I have a personal interest in saying that people of my generation are ‘younger’ (emotionally if not chronologically) than when I was 16,

BUT

I genuinely believe they (we) are!!

I see absolutely no reason why I cannot be working productively and enthusiastically for many years to come. OK, I will probably be more selective about what work I actually do but I see no reason to suppose I won’t have the energy and mindset to try and make a difference in business, leadership and management well into my 70’s.

People who have worked in management positions for a few years offer terrific experience.

BUT ONE MYTH I WOULD LIKE TO DISPEL IS THAT EXPERIENCE NECESSARILY EQUALS KNOWLEDGE OR COMPETENCE.

I think as we get older we must resist the temptation to rest on our laurels, because we have been round the block a few times, and simply say – ‘We have experience to offer’

Experience is not enough.

In addition we have to offer passion, enthusiasm, optimism, integrity, leadership and role-model behaviour. We also still need to retain within us a small bit of that rebellious teenager who wants to make a difference.

I love the quote generously given to me by one of my heroes 82 years young, Tony Benn;

“Having left Parliament to devote more time to politics I am free: Lots of experience and no personal ambition. I can't wait for April 3 2025 when I shall have completed my first hundred years and a new century of work begins” - Tony Benn

I’ll drink to that Tony!

By the way – The Tony Benn Diaries 2001–2007 that I am currently reading is a wonderful book.

Its title is ‘More Time for Politics’– loads of common sense, simplicity, integrity and passion from an inspiring man.

The book also reveals a lot about Tony Benn, the person, with many honest and intimate expressions of his feelings about his life and his family of which he is justifiably proud.

Best Book of 2007?

What's the best book you've read in 2007?

I asked myself the same question .... and I had real difficultly answering it.

There are so many great books I’ve read this year. I finally came down in favour of;

‘Screw it Let’s Do It’ - Richard Branson

Please tell me your favourite book of 2007 – I am asking for one book not a list!

Come on - be ruthless and make the decision – I know it's hard but you can do it!

'Not Invented Here'

I was working in the North West of England on Wednesday as a facilitator at a large consultation event for the North West National Health Service.

I bumped into a good friend, author and business colleague Malcolm McClean who is the founder of the dynamic organisation Bear Hunt

During the event on Wednesday Malcolm came up with a wonderful expression that I will now steal and use in my work in healthcare (always crediting Malcolm as originator of course!)

The expression is: ‘Not invented here’

What Malcolm is driving at is the reluctance of managers and clinicians inside the NHS to welcome ideas from outside the NHS. He described how the NHS is producing various reports and documents about wanting to be a world class service.

Malcolm has been leading a fabulous initiative aimed at improving the mental health of young men by developing projects in partnership with professional football clubs in various parts of England – mainly the North West.

The project targets young men who are at risk of suicide due to mental illness. It has been a hugely successful venture with stories of young men whose lives have been turned around thanks to this project. It is an evidence based success.

Delighted with the way the project has gone, Malcolm wrote to all of the 302 Chief Executives of Primary Care Trusts in England asking them to consider the project in their own geographical area.

He had 7 replies. That means 295 Chief Executive could not be bothered even to respond to Malcolm.

And yet .... the NHS says it wants to be a world class service.

Malcolm has reached the conclusion that ‘Not invented here’ is an NHS syndrome.

I think he may well be right.

Apart from anything else – how come 295 Chief Executives do not have the decency to even acknowledge or reply to Malcolm's letter?

Despite working 35 years inside the NHS until 3 years ago I am still hurt and embarrassed by such bad manners and another sad example of how the NHS simply does not walk its own talk.

Dan Ward and the Boomer Sisters!

I received an e-mail today from my friend Dan Ward in the US. Dan is a prolific writer and this is what Dan says:

I just wanted to let you all know the third book in the Boomer Sisters series (The Boomer Sisters In The City) is now finished and ready for sale, just in time for Christmas! You can find a preview of the entire book at www.lulu.com/RoguePress

I hope you will visit Dan's site to see the full range of his writing.Dan also has an excellent Blog - click here

The best Leaders can handle Paradox

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." - Tom Peters and Robert Waterman 'In Search of Excellence'

I love that.

Some of my favourite paradoxes that brilliant leaders seem to manage easily:

*Listen but don’t listen
*Delegate like crazy – work yourself out of a job
*The best way to gain power is to let go of power
*Recruit people who are smarter than you

Any paradoxes you like?

'There is a passion in Benn's writing and speaking that far transcends the miserable aspirations of most contemporary politicians' Paul Foot, Guardian

I finally got to meet Tony Benn last night!

What a fabulous man – he spoke without notes for 40 minutes then answered questions for another 45 minutes.

The person who introduced Tony last night said, quoting from one of the reviews of his new book. 'Tony Benn is a player'

I think that is a great description of the man. Many politicans today are 'spectators' and change to suit the latest opinion poll. Paul Foot's description above is also right on the button.

Absolutely brilliant – no hesitation in his speech, no uncertainty of thought, mentally ‘sharp as a tack’ and looking great physically. Not bad for 82 years of age and 51 years as a Labour MP.

Tony retired in 2001 as an MP - as he puts it - ‘to spend more time on politics’

He is now 82 and busier than ever. He is a cult figure to young people who want to see change and he is now regarded as the most loved politician in Britain – he speaks every year at the world famous Glastonbury rock festival to thousands of young people!

He takes part in every anti-war demonstration in the UK and his diary of speaking engagements is full. He regularly appears on our national media outlets both radio and TV. Tony puts many 40 year old men to shame with his energy and passion.

Last night Annie and I went to see him speak at the Birmingham Book Festival - he was guest speaker for the week of the festival. The occasion marked the publication of his latest book – ‘More Time for Politics’ – It is really Tony’s diaries from 2001 to 2007 and I bought a copy. I've read the first few pages and it is riveting stuff, brutally honest and as you would expect from Tony, no punches pulled. I highly recommend it.

This got me thinking …

I have another 27 years before I am 82 – so I now know I have only just started!!

Tony is the best role model I have come across – his skills, talent and experience are only exceeded by his honesty, humility and integrity. If I can be remembered for my honesty, integrity and humility, that will be good enough for me.

At the end of his talk Tony said;

‘Someone asked me the other day what would I like on my tombstone … I thought ... That’s a cheerful question … I thought about it and said … All I want is ‘He encouraged us’

That is awesome and says it all about the man!

Branson follow up

Yesterday I travelled on a Virgin Train from Birmingham to Newcastle return – a total of 7 hours on two Virgin Trains.

Having just read the book I thought to myself …here is a chance for me to do some live research.

I went along to the Virgin train shop to get a coffee and decided to have a chat with the young man (probably late 20’s) behind the counter.

I decided to be ‘devils advocate’ and therefore lied as I said:

"I’ve just finished reading Richard Branson latest book ‘Screw it Lets’ Do It’ …. And in the book he writes about how ‘in touch’ he likes to be with front line staff in the Virgin empire but I’m a bit cynical about all that crap"

I was lying because I believe Richard Branson is genuine …. I awaited with a keen interest this guy’s response.

This was his reply…

"Richard Branson is very approachable and yes we see him quite a lot. He always talks to us and he listens. I like him and in fact he is far more approachable than our middle mangers."

WOW!!! – AMEN AGAIN!!

This was wonderful for me to hear.

Middle managers in organisations are often the key people. In my experience those middle managers who like to ‘control’ are nowhere near as effective as those middle managers who trust the front line staff just to get on with it.

Really interesting to hear from a random front liner that world icon Richard Branson is more approachable than their immediate supervisor … what a powerful learning point for me yet again that underlines my thoughts about Branson having the right leadership style – GET ALONGSIDE FRONT LINERS AND TRUST THEM COMPLETELY.

Simplicity Works!

At last I got round to finishing ‘Screw It Let’s Do It’ by Sir Richard Branson. Please read it.

Question: Is Simplicity a real concept?
Answer: You bet!

Sir Richard writes in his book on page 194:

‘The simplicity of this project constantly reminds me of the human folly of creating very complex systems that end up justifying themselves and their existence - but end up stifling innovation’

Amen and thank you Sir Richard!!!

If Simplicity is good enough for Branson it is good enough for me.

More Branson wisdom

Every now and again I find a book that I can’t wait to pick up for the next opportunity to read it!

Sir Richard Branson’s ‘Screw it Lets Do It - Expanded’ is such a book for me.

I’m two thirds of the way through it now and I keep finding gems that I will use in presentations, Blogs and books for years to come!

The latest simple Branson observation that grabbed me from the book;

‘There are always people who criticise and usually they’re the ones who come up with no solutions’

Amen Sir Richard - I have met many of them!

Screw it Lets Do It

Next week Monday to Friday I am on the road travelling to various parts of England for work. Life feels good and a lot more varied than the ‘old days’ of going into my NHS office – the same environment, day in, day out.

This feels much better and far more interesting … and if nothing else, I am becoming something of a rail travel expert!

Yesterday while I waited for my (ironically enough) Virgin Train at Birmingham New Street Railway Station at 6.30 am I bought Richard Branson's book 'Screw it Let's Do It - Expanded'

I'm only 40 pages in and already completely hooked.

From the first few pages here are some of Sir Richard's words – Simplicity and music to my ears!!

• Most red tape is a tangled mess of utterly useless nonsensical jargon.
• I won’t let silly rules stop me.
• I will find a legal way around rules.
  

On my travels next week I will finish reading the book – if I can resist reading it over the weekend!!!

Two more books from Dan Ward

Two more new books written by my prolific US author friend Dan Ward are now published and available for sale from LULU.

First The Desert at this link http://stores.lulu.com/sillyhat

Second The Simplicity Cycle at this link http://stores.lulu.com/roguepress

I hope readers of Simplicity Blog will spread the word about these two easy to read books.

Dan is a talented writer who incorporates the lighter side of life and humour together with profound messages in the same book.

Lead Well and Prosper

If you are anything like me you will already have a pile of reading material waiting to be read. So I don’t want to burden you with another book BUT

If you are looking for something to read in no more than two hours – even for slow readers - then please order Nick McCormick’s new book called ‘Lead Well and Prosper’

I read the book in less than an hour.

What comes through most to me is how Nick is firmly grounded in the reality of everyday management. He uses his experience to propose common sense in all aspects of management. The book contains a brilliant summary at the end of each section with ‘do’s’ ‘don’ts’ and action points.

The book is available on Amazon by clicking here where you can see other customer reviews.

I have only just come across Nick’s work but I can see he has a great deal to offer all of us in the campaign to simplify unnecessarily complex management practice and language. I share that passion with Nick and I wish him well with this book.

If you are looking for a deeply academic and theoretical book about management don't bother to buy it. If on the other hand you want something that is practical, is about the real world and is helpful to everyday management then I urge to you consider adding this to your book collection.

I said in my endorsement of Nick's book;

‘I really love it – simple, straightforward and practical. It can and should be read by front liners through to Chief Executives.’

Pretentious leaders please read ...then again ...then again.

I love this extract from the book I have just started reading ‘Why should anyone be led by you?’ by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones.

This is the extract (Page 43):

........ Authentic leaders are not imitations. To remain real in their relationships with followers, they also take constant reality checks. As Roche Pharmaceuticals CEO Bill Burns told us, “You have to keep your feet on the ground when others want to put you on a pedestal. After a while on a pedestal, you stop hearing the truth. It’s filtered by the henchmen, and they read you so well, they know what you want to hear. You end up as the queen bee in the hive, with no relationship with the worker bees. My wife and secretary are fully empowered if they ever see me getting a bit uppity to give me a thumping great hit over the head!’ .....................

The Desert

One of the best things that has happened to me since I left the corporate world of healthcare and became independent is that I have made many 'virtual friends' all over the world.

One such person from the United States is Dan Ward with whom I regularly exchange thoughts on all matters!

Dan and I share a passion for simplicity.

He has written a number of short books in the last couple of years.

Dan recently sent me the manuscript of his latest book The Desert which is a great read. I read it on a train journey so in an afternoon you can sit and read this little masterpiece while enjoying a glass (or two) of wine sitting in the sun in the garden.

I hope Simplicity readers will take a look and maybe consider buying it - you will not be disappointed and I’m sure you will enjoy Dan’s engaging writing style.

This what Dan says:

‘I just wanted to let you know that my latest book The Desert is finished. It is a happy little collection of stories and reflections about grace, difficulty, faith, joy and love. It offers an optimistic perspective of life, based on the reality of God's goodness. You can read more about it at by clicking here'

'That's Just the Way It Is' - WRONG!

My latest thinking about another book has entered my head.

I am interested why I often hear the expression ‘That's just the way it is’

I don’t like that expression.

By implication it means we accept that nothing can be done to change things that are not acceptable and if we say those words we actually condone poor standards.

It seems to me many times people give up because 'the system' has beaten them. It just seems too hard to challenge unacceptable practice and so we take the line of least resistance by shrugging our shoulders and muttering those dreadful words 'Well I guess I just have to accept that's just the way it is’ ...... or variations of that.

I say 'NO!! - we don't have to accept that'

We should challenge what we judge to be poor standards. I believe the best way to raise standards is to apply our own standards rather than passively accept standards that we personally believe are not good enough.

Anyway .. That's what is in my head and I hope to write something soon.

I would love your comments on this one.

What makes an effective leader?

Martin Luther King - one of the greatest leaders of our time.

In the last week I have become involved in discussions about one of my favourite subjects - What makes an effective leader?

The discussion had me scurrying back to my reference books and to my 20,000 word dissertation Leadership in Practice (1997) when I researched leadership for three years as part of my MA Management (Healthcare) in Plymouth University

I was inspired by the leadership writings of Americans Warren Bennis and Tom Peters but the book that made the most impact on me was 'The Business of Leadership' by British authors Alan Hooper and John Potter. Sadly their book is no longer in print.

They suggest effective leadership is made up of the following competencies – what I like most is the simplicity of this approach of course.

*Setting direction - (my emphasis – this is vision)
*Setting an example - ( my emphasis – doing what you say)
*Effective communication - (my emphasis - listening as well as telling)
*Creating alignment - (my emphasis – getting people to work together to common objectives)
*Bringing the best out of people - ( my emphasis - valuing others, empowering)
*Leader as a change agent - (my emphasis - sustaining change)
*Decisions and actions in crisis or emergency - (my emphasis – offering calm yet decisive leadership in difficult situations)

Do you think there are other competencies missing from this list?