The local hospital has recently implemented some new procedures to “make things easier for customers,” or at least that is what they told me when I asked what was going on. I can’t imagine what problem they thought they were solving for my sake. And if their focus was on error proofing or internal efficiency, I think they missed the mark. They certainly never looked at the final process from a customer’s point of view. Here is what I encountered: I called to schedule an annual mammogram and got an appointment for the following Tuesday. So far, so good. On Friday evening, I returned home to a phone message asking me to call and pre-register. I had to listen to it 3 times to get the phone number, extension, and name of the person I was supposed to ask for. Since the office was closed for the weekend, I also had to add a note to my calendar to call them on Monday. Why are they creating work for me? What did I do wrong? Why didn’t they take this information when I was on the phone with them making the appointment?
PRESS RELEASE April 30, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ann Latham 603-784-5727 Uncommon Clarity®, Inc. EASTHAMPTON, MA – Latham offers workshop to cut meetings in half Northampton, Massachusetts – The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce is offering a free, one-hour workshop by master facilitator and author Ann Latham of Uncommon Clarity, Inc. on May 19th at 8:00 AM entitled, “The UnMeeting – How to Cut Meeting Time in Half AND Get Better Results.”
PRESS RELEASE April 30, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ann Latham 603-784-5727 Uncommon Clarity®, Inc. Ann Latham and the Northampton Chamber Offer Meeting Slasher Workshop Northampton, Massachusetts – The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce is offering a free, one-hour workshop by master facilitator and author Ann Latham of Uncommon Clarity, Inc. on May 19th at 8:00 AM entitled, “The UnMeeting – How to Cut Meetings in Half AND Get Better Results.” This highly interactive workshop is geared for anyone who suffers from too many meetings, is tired of meetings that just lead to more meetings, and wants to take back significant hours every week. Space is limited, so don’t delay. For more information, contact Ann Latham at 603-784-5727 or info@uncommonclarity.com. Ann Latham, a.k.a., The Meeting Slasher, is a performance improvement expert, consultant, and president of Uncommon Clarity, Inc., a firm that helps companies get better results faster. She is also the author of Clear Thoughts – Pragmatic Gems of Better Business Thinking. For more information about her workshops and services or to sign up for her free newsletter, visit www.uncommonclarity.com. # # #
Almost 60 years after the last bayonet charge in Korea, the Army has removed bayonets from the rifles in basic training. They have replaced long distance runs and marches with wind sprints, eliminated training on .50 caliber heavy machine guns used by few, and added 30 hours of marksmanship. They are stressing core body strength so soldiers can vault 4 feet into an open Humvee with 65 pounds of gear. And they have added training on culture and how to reduce hearing loss. (“As battlefield changes, so does Army’s basic training,” Kansas City Star) In short, they are revamping the entire basic training program to reflect: Current warfare realities and The condition of their average recruit The Army’s training regimen rooted in WWI filled a different gap, preparing a different type of recruit for a different kind of war.
Which best describes your strategic predicament and attendant risk? You offer compelling value to a rapidly growing marketBiggest Risk: You aim too low and succeed – while others swoop in and capture the lion’s share of the opportunity You see dwindling demand for your products and servicesBiggest Risk: You wait too long to take a sharp right turn toward new opportunities while cash, leverage, resources, and opportunities dwindle as well You have many, many promising ideasBiggest Risk: You spread resources thinly or wallow in indecision, both of which ensure you move nothing of significance forward You are headed on a new or greatly expanded trajectoryBiggest Risk: Your current organization is the wrong organization for your new goals and is simply not up to the new challenges
It is the 21st century. If you don’t have a website, you are missing the boat! When I want to meet a friend for coffee in a mutually convenient location, I google coffee shops so I can easily pass on a name, address and directions. Coffee shops without websites lose. My last dry cleaning experience was a huge disappointment so I googled a recommendation from a friend. No website? I may end up at the wrong place despite my efforts to find the one recommended.
I was startled by the high gas prices in Connecticut this morning. I drive a hybrid and so don’t fill often and pay little attention. When I returned to Massachusetts and saw this gas for considerably less, I pulled in to fill up.I was surprised and not happy when I got out of my car. Notice the price on the tank below.
Many businesses are gearing up to meet recovering demand. This is important to you whether you are hiring or not. If you are hiring: Don’t let loyalty drive you to re-hire an under- performer unless providing opportunities for under-performers is part of your mission. Rethink your needs before simply filling the same old positions using the same old criteria. Hire talent over skill and experience. Skill and experience can be acquired, talent can not. (For more about talent, read Talent Is Not Overrated, Nor Is It What You Think. )
PRESS RELEASE April 1, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ann Latham 603-784-5727 Uncommon Clarity®, Inc. EASTHAMPTON, MA – Latham Returns to STCC as Guest Lecturer Ann Latham has been invited once again to speak to the Organizational Development class at Springfield Technical Community College. On April 8, 2010, Ms. Latham will explain the Dos and Don’ts of Organizational Change. Ann Latham is a strategist, performance improvement expert, author, board approved master facilitator, and president of Uncommon Clarity, Inc., a firm that helps clients achieve superior results faster and with greater confidence. She has worked with the likes of Boeing and Hitachi, though her clients also include small businesses and non-profits. # # #
Can you stitch? Quilt? Knit? Then you may find yourself in demand if you visit a truck stop near you – discretely. Today’s WSj unveils the truckers who have discovered the benefits of productive hobbies like knitting while they kill time between loads: Idle Pastime. They have the time, inclination, and, in some cases, sewing machines mounted in their trucks. But where are the instructors? Sounds like an opportunity for someone to me. Not a stitcher? Then where is your opportunity? Are you paying attention? This recession has changed many habits. What has changed that affects your customers’ needs and desires? What has changed that has/can create new customers for you? What has changed that allows you to provide new value? Always watch the changes around you. Keep your ear to the ground. And when it is time, get thee to your truck stop!