Dedicated to sharing ideas, resources, and non-traditional thoughts given in the spirit of providing information to contribute to those seeking personal and professional transformation.

Free Stuff

HTHTS Home Page  |  Our Services  |  Conferences and Events  |  The Free Stuff

“There's Always a Better Way”  -Thomas Alva Edison

Two mottos our company embraces that are fundamental to the spirit of our business are; 1) “There is always a better way”, and 2) “Do whatever it takes”.  This issue of eSharings will address finding a better way to do things.  The next issue will talk about doing whatever it takes.

After working for two of the world’s largest companies (the Bell system and IBM) and delivering professional services to hundreds of companies and government agencies world wide, one thing consistently rings true: “People generally get comfortable doing a job or task a particular way and don’t stop to look for a better way.”  There are always exceptions, but following the 80:20 rule, the majority of people take the easy road for good and poor reasons.

Robert Kriegel, PH.D, New York Times best selling author, had the greatest influence on me to look for better ways.  I was attending one of his speeches and he told the story about a consulting job he did for Goodyear.

Interpreted in my own words:

He asked why they wrap the tires with paper. They said because we always have.  He asked why they did it. They said because it protects the white walls.  He said what white walls - they are painted with blue paint to be washed off by the purchaser?  They took a look at the situation and determined that they did not need to wrap the tires any longer.  It saved millions of dollars by eliminating the paper.

Two of Robert’s many books that I love:

1. If it ain’t broke...BREAK IT!

2. Sacred Cows Make The Best Burgers

I try to make it a habit to challenge myself and others by asking them if there is a better way.  When they say I don’t think so, I ask again.  I push until I get another way.  Rarely will you find a case when there’s something that can’t be done differently, even slightly, that won’t improve the process.

I overheard my staff talking to one another the other day saying “Ivy always says there is a better way. How could we do this [task stated] differently?  I was so excited to hear them thinking along these lines on their own.  We all need to say this to one another to make it become ingrained in our thoughts.  

What if you asked “Is there a better way?” after every 5^th call received in the service desk or contact center?  What if changing one thing saved you hundreds, thousands of dollars or even millions of dollars a year?  Let me ask you this – do you really need to log every call?  The answer is NO and you should not be.  Email me if you want some ideas for better ways. (ivy@hthts.com)

What if you changed something you do at home and it gave you more time with your family or made it possible to spend more time doing a hobby you love?  It doesn’t take a lot to stop for a few minutes and ask this of yourself or others. Do you really have to watch Seinfeld reruns or catch up on the Soaps you missed.  If you found a way to get one more hour per day by eliminating something that is a time waster, you would gain 15 days a year to do things you enjoy. Hmmm?  What could you do with 15 days more?

An obvious change to someone, like why you wrap the tires, is not so obvious if you are buried in the day to day hubbub of getting your job done.  My challenge to you is to take a hard critical look at tasks you do at work and at home and ask yourself, “Is there a better way?”  I promise you – you will find there is.  Are you still wrapping your tires?

Here are a few resources to challenge you to think of better ways and to do whatever it takes to make things better.

• Out of the Box Mental Exercise

• I really love this 4 minute song because it talks to taking care of our planet in a better way: "There's a Better Way"

• Short Inspirational Article: Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently. THERE IS ALWAYS A BETTER WAY!

• Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude by Jeffrey Gitomer.  I highly recommend you sign up for his newsletter too – it will really give you a jolt.

• Three effective ways to anger people in meetings - A little off topic but does show there are better ways.

I hope you found this issue of eSharings enjoyable and useful.  The next time you do something, ask yourself, "Am I still wrapping the tires or is there a better way?"

~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~

To see a description of the workshop venues and get event details, go to www.greatbrook.com/events.htm.

Also note that the "Customer Surveying Guidebook" now has revised pricing. If you want a flavor of Fred's workshop, consider getting the book now, and he'll apply it to any future workshop registration. Click to www.greatbrook.com/survey_guidebook.htm for more information.

Share the resources with others: Will you forward this newsletter to someone else and encourage them to subscribe to our secure, never sold or shared readership? We really appreciate your help to grow our community.

Free Newsletters  |  Free Stuff  |  Services  |  Speaking  |  Contact Us  |  Home

HDP 2007  |  GCS 2007

Reach us at solutions4U@hthts.com or call 425-398-9292.

© Copyright 1999-2008,  High Tech High Touch Solutions, Inc. ™