killing complexity: how to embrace simplification and get to the work that matters
TRANSCRIPT
Presenting Today
Lisa BodellFounder and CEO
futurethink@LisaBodell
Krista BrubakerContent Marketing Specialist
www.bizlibrary.com/free-trial BizLibrary helps organizations succeed by improving the way employees learn.
WHY SIMPLEWINS
Lisa BodellCEO, futurethink
@lisabodell
COMPLEXITY AT WORKIS DESTROYING OUR ORGANIZATIONS
Insist on doing everything through
‘channels.’
1
Make ‘speeches.’
2
Refer all matters to committees.
3
Bring up irrelevant issues.
4
Haggle over precise wordings.
5
Refer back to matters previously
decided upon.
6
Advocate ‘caution.’
7
SPEED > SIZE
SOURCE: http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/18-billion-dollar-companies-that-didnt-exist-10-years-ago/ss-BBmT40K)
BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESSES <15 YEARS OLD
WHERE COMPLEXITY COMES FROM1
WHY SIMPLE WINS2
GET TO THE WORK THAT MATTERS3
WHERE COMPLEXITY COMES FROM1
WHAT DO YOU SPEND YOUR DAY
DOING?
MEETINGS & EMAILS
MEETINGS45%
EMAILING23%
DOING UNPRODUCTIVE WORK
DOING 'REAL' WORK
COMPLEXITY AS OUR NEW OPERATING SYSTEMIn the average organization, employees spend:
SOURCE: 2016 BAIN Consulting
SOURCES: Yves Morieux, Smart Rules. 2014, BCG Survey, 2014
50% 350%
50-350%INCREASE IN GOVERNING STRUCTURES
1950s Today
THE METRICS VS.
THE 1950s
6x
COMPLEXITY IS OVERWHELMING US
WHY DO WE CHOOSE COMPLEXITY?
THE COMPLEXITY TRAP
MORE vs. LESS
DOING vs. THINKING
INTERNAL vs. EXTERNAL
CONTRIBUTINGARE YOU
TO COMPLEXITY?
HAVE YOU CONTRIBUTED TO COMPLEXITY?
YES NO
1. I often send emails that are longer than 1 paragraph and/or require significant time to read.
2. Emails I send usually include more than 3 CC’s or BCC’s.
3. I expect my employees to put my projects first regardless of their workload.
4. I often use business jargon and buzzwords in my communication.
5. I require my team members to involve me in all the decisions they make.
HAVE YOU CONTRIBUTED TO COMPLEXITY?YES NO
6. I’m frequently too busy to provide feedback or actions on reports/presentations that I assign.
7. I expect employees to follow formal processes no matter what.
8. I (or my team) consistently strive to add new processes, products, procedures to our work. It is rare we eliminate things.
9. I hold multiple recurring meetings with my team. 10.I require my team to create multiple, recurring
reports.
HAVE YOU CONTRIBUTED TO COMPLEXITY?
# YES: YOU ARE: DESCRIPTION:
1 to 2 RELATIVELY SIMPLIFIED Aligned, focused on what matters
3 to 4 OPPORTUNITY TO SIMPLIFY Functioning but impacting morale, needs review
5+ COMPLEX Bottlenecks, inconsistencies, unnecessary work
WHY SIMPLE WINS2
SIMPLICITY BENEFITS
FINANCIAL• 6%+ PRICE PREMIUM
• 70% LIKELIER TO RECOMMEND
• STOCK OUTPERFORMED 214%
CULTURAL & ETHICAL• 30%+ RETENTION
• INCREASED CUSTOMER TRUST
• RESPECT OTHER’S TIME
If we get the work right, we get the culture right.“
“
SIMPLICITY: #1 STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE OF THE FUTURE
INFORMAL FORMAL
3…HOW YOU CAN GET TO THE
WORK THAT MATTERS
IDENTIFY AREAS TO SIMPLIFYSTEP 1
IDENTIFY AREAS TO SIMPLIFY
DESIRED WORKTYPICAL TASKS
o Creating sales report
o Setting up progress meetings
o Brainstorming new revenue ideas
o Attending client meetings
EMPOWER DECISION-MAKINGSTEP 2
KILL STUPID RULESSTEP 3
BECOME CHIEF SIMPLIFIERSTEP 4
1. Establish a ‘cut the crap committee’
2. NNTR
3. Who’s the D?
4. Say NO
STEAL THESE TACTICS:
How will you get tothe work that matters?
THANK YOU
Lisa BodellCEO, futurethinkfuturethink.com
@lisabodell
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