I was watching a pre-flight safety demonstration the other week before enjoying a short flight. As I watched I wondered how many times they had performed this routine previously. The information is vital should the worst happen and therefore it gets performed before each flight without fail. They may have performed it thousands of times each.
We have similar routines in the business that need to be executed without fail. Many businesses fail, however, to define their routines and get a rhythm going. Unlike the plane, failure in business might mean fire fighting and upset customers... in the short term. Leave this situation for too long and you may have catastrophe, customers leaving and profits sinking.
Instead of learning where your nearest exit is, why not find out what are the essential routines for your business?
What needs to be completed each day in order to complete a 'perfect' day?
Defining and executing effective routines can make a big difference in terms of results achieved and overall productivity.
Giles Johnston
Author of 'Business Process Re-Engineering', a practical plan to improve business performance.