“Ann, I love your Clear Thoughts newsletter. I read every edition. They’re all fantastic, and highly relevant to Medtronic.”
Paul Franson, Clinical IT Development Manager, Medtronic
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Jay Primack, Managing Partner, Moriarty & Primack P.C.
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“I wish everyone read this book. Ann Latham’s “Uncommon Meetings” is a quick read, packed with substantive ideas on how to get more out of meetings in less time. Everyone who runs meetings should read it!”
Janet Warren, President, MarCom Capital
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“Ann Latham is one of the best business speakers I have heard. She is very experienced, the quality of her thinking is extremely high, and she knows how to deliver her message in an entertaining, concise, and convincing way.”
Dr. Alan G. Robinson, Isenberg School of Management, Author - "Ideas Are Free"
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“On a collaborative project with Boeing Phantom Works, Ann did a tremendous job in identifying the cost drivers, producibility issues, and productivity barriers of a supplier organization, all of which were impeding the success of our project.”
Ed Gerding, Chief Engineer C-17 St. Louis, The Boeing Company
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“Ann can help you identify the crux of a problem and solutions that will work for you. While others may be good, my 35 years of experience tells me that no one is better.”
Perry Walraven, President and CEO, Performance Controls, Inc. a Subsidiary of Hitachi Medical Corporation
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“Ann’s ability to simplify complex issues such that everyone understood their respective roles was a key part of her success. She truly helped us achieve profitable and predictable growth while improving the quality of our methods and processes.”
S. W. Emery, Jr., Chairman and CEO, MTS Systems Corporation
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“I would recommend Ann to anyone who wants to make better plans and decisions in less time and with better confidence in the outcomes.”
W. Lowell Putnam, Chairman/CSO, VCI (Video Communications, Inc.)
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“’Wow’ sums it up nicely. The way Ann works is impressive: she has a great handle on people, makes everyone want to work together, ensures meetings are focused and valuable, and simplifies the challenges and options so all can reach shared conclusions.”
John Heaps, President, Florence Savings Bank
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“You are clearly a gifted facilitator and helped us achieve some important outcomes. The ROI was there.”
Bob Fazzi, President & CEO, Fazzi Associates
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“Ann listens, understands, simplifies, reframes, and provides clear advice. I inevitably leave with a new perspective, better decisions, 3 - 4 specific action items, and the resolve and focus I need to get the right things done. If you are looking for a great coach, call Ann.”
Michael Niedenfuehr, Financial Planner, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
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“Ann’s book, Clear Thoughts, is the fresh, grounding breath of perspective that every executive needs in order to see clearly despite the daily chaos”
Jane Lansing, VP Marketing, Emerson Process Management
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Laurie Fenlason, Vice President for Public Affairs, Smith College
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Dana Badgerow, General Manager, AeroMet Corporation
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“After working with Ann, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone in need of a strategy, plan, arbitration, facilitation, etc.”
Chuck McCullagh, CFO, The Williston Northampton School
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“Ann Latham transformed our thinking about how our organization works. This discovery led us to a strategic model that solves our pain and opens new opportunities. She truly lives up to her brand of ‘uncommon clarity.’”
Suzanne Beck, Executive Director, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
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“Ann is a captivating speaker, providing important principles in an approachable, common-sense way. Our audience enjoyed her depth and breadth of knowledge.”
Aimee Griffin Munnings, Esq., Director, Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship
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Russell Peotter, General Manager, WGBY - Public Television for Western New England
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Joan Schuman, Executive Director, Hampshire Educational Collaborative
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Rev. Johanna McCune Wagner, Director of Religious Life, The Culver Academies
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Every organization would benefit from the material found in Ann’s audio seminar, “Meeting Mastery.”
Chuck Hatch, General Manager, Packaging Corporation of America
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Ann Latham’s Tips for Peak Productivity - #5 "Please, No More Good Ideas!"
This is one tip in a series of techniques to help you take control of your time, feel
great about each week, and watch those weeks add up to impressive results. The key to each successful week is two-fold:
- Identify what would constitute a successful week
- Make it happen
Productivity Booster #5: Please! No More Good Ideas!
There are a million ways to improve our businesses and our lives.
The ideas float in the window, arrive via email, pop into conversation, pile up in droves when we read, appear as “suggestions” from the boss, and are promoted by colleagues, friends, customers, suppliers, and more.
But we can’t do them all!
If you run with every exciting new idea, you will drive yourself crazy and get nowhere of significance. The answer is not to block out new ideas and information. Listening, learning, imagining, evolving, and, occasionally leaping, are important. The trick is to filter these inputs quickly so you can:
- Retain the focus that is critical to progress
- Take advantage of the right opportunities – the ideas that will speed your progress
- Know when to change your plans entirely
- Feel excited about the possibilities
To protect yourself from too many ideas, ask these critical questions:
1. Does this new idea, approach or knowledge invalidate my assumptions or fundamentally change my current direction?
Your current focus may be obsolete or inappropriate. If so, don’t just barrel onward wishing for a different reality. Handle short-term commitments while sorting out your future direction promptly.
This should not be a common scenario. If you find yourself questioning your fundamental strategy frequently, it can’t be very strong. Fix it!
If your current direction and objectives are still smart, don’t let an exciting idea derail your priorities.
2. Does this new idea, approach or knowledge provide an alternative method for achieving my existing goals?
If so, why not take the easier path? Just be sure it will actually get you there faster, dramatically reduce your costs, and/or improve results in a meaningful way. Technology, in particular, is notorious for tempting people onto new paths that add tremendous time and cost with no discernible improvement.
If not, stay the course. Once you’ve achieved your current objectives it will be time to chart a new course and consider new methods.
3. Is this idea just the greatest thing since sliced bread even though I can’t make use of it right now?
Most good ideas will come around again, especially the best ones, so don’t create extensive files, lists, or plans for later.
For the absolute best ideas, you may want to keep a special notebook, file or list. Reserve this space only for the ideas that would make a substantial difference to your business or your life. Don’t confuse your great ideas list with a To Do list for the future. This list captures great ideas but in no way puts you under any obligation to implement! Were you to add each great idea to your To Do List, you would feel overwhelmed in no time and would soon be running in too many directions.
Focus and finish is the road to success. Be alert to new ideas, but use them wisely!
© 2011 Ann Latham. All Rights Reserved.