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In: Operations Best Practices

If you are in an operations role, you likely enjoy problem solving. It can be fun, challenging and satisfying. But, there is a BIG problem with problem solving….it happens too late in the process. At that point, we did not meet our customers’ needs, we missed our performance goals or we spent more than what we budgeted. In addition, when we invest most of our time in problem solving and fighting fires, we no longer have the time for more value added activities like coaching, training, mentoring, strategic planning etc. Problem prevention is where the party is!  By focusing most of our time on problemRead More →

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In: Operations Best Practices

Today’s post is a combination of venting and advising. Over the past two weeks, I experienced two, completely different customer experiences at a global, well known eyeglass chain; Lenscrafters. One was terrible and the other one was outstanding. Are your customers experiencing the same thing or have you taken measures to ensure and demand consistent and/or repeatable processes? Here’s my “customer experience” story… The purpose of both Lenscrafters’ visits was to adjust the frames on my glasses. If you wear plastic frames like I do, you know that they stretch out and get looser over time and need to be tweaked on a regular basis.Read More →

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In: Decision Making, Operations Best Practices

If your position is at a Director level or above, you likely spend most of your time in meetings.  And, while in these meetings, there is often talk about the “front line personnel”… whether you call them agents, analysts, reps etc. What is disturbing about this talk is how many assumptions we make. (And when I say we, I am including myself.)  We rely on opinions formed from months past, anecdotes or second/third hand information, and apply this to current state decision making- which may or may not be relevant. So, what is a leader to do? Get out of the conference room and backRead More →