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Showing posts from January, 2012

Creativity needed to create start-ups.

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From the quote below, it is very clear that we urgently much create new jobs. “ Despite strenuous government efforts, the jobs crisis continues unabated, with one in three workers worldwide – or an estimated 1.1 billion people – either unemployed or living in poverty”, said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia. “What is needed is that job creation in the real economy must become our number one priority”. And it is also highly unlikely that large companies will create these new jobs. Census Bureau data show that most of the net employment gains in the United States between 1980 and 2005 came from firms younger than five years old. This means that the focus must be on creating start-ups, helping people to set up their own businesses. However, our upbringing and education are not geared towards this. We are taught to be obedient employees and not initiating entrepreneurs. So , there is quite some learning needed in this area. It would also be good if many of these

Let 2012 be sparkling for you and others

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Currently we are bombarded with messages, research and predictions that 2012 will be a tough year. While that may be the case, there is always another side. Or like our most famous footballer Johan Cruijff says “Every disadvantage has and advantage in it”. There is so much complaining going on about the level of service which companies and government provide. So, why don't you make sure that your organization provides excellent (and engaging) customer service, all the time? Customers are even willing to pay more for great service! There is nothing which can beat helping others. These others can be your neighbors, your parents, your friends. If there are more burglaries in your street, then get to know who live on your street. So, then you know who doesn't belong there. Recently I did help a blind person to cross the street. That was so gratifying to do... and easy. There are more and more families who have so much debt that they have no money to buy f

Managers have to change as well

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It is nothing new that a lot is happening in the world and that changes are rapidly having an impact. There are many publications about the need for employees to change. Also is a lot is being written about how organizations in itself should change their culture, structure and approach to technology. Mostly managers are telling their employees that they have to change and do things differently. The common denominator is that managers expect employees to work harder and produce more. The favorite game of managers seems to be changing the organization chart. Of course there are also challenging tasks like cost cutting and laying off people. Managers are not so good in looking at the mirror and checking how they can adopt (new practices) and adapt. Here are some examples: managers are lagging behind in using social media managers are still keeping certain information only for themselves managers report (to their bosses) without consulting their people

Job rotation for innovators

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It is very attractive to let always the same people be involved on your innovation projects. These are the people who are experienced in the innovation tasks and you know what you get. This leads to two potential hick ups. The innovation people can become complacent themselves, as the innovation activities become routine itself. Continuously following the same steps and processes to do these projects might make you blind for newness itself. The people who are not involved in innovation are more and more settled into their comfort zone. This it becomes harder and harder to get them out of that zone. The longer you do something, the stronger the attachment! As this situation continues (as in most companies) the gap between the innovators and the 'BAU-people (business as usual) becomes larger and larger. And the implementation of innovation becomes more difficult and consumes much more time. Obviously this isn't what you want. You are looking for