Consulting Tips and Tools

As an individual, and in a consulting role, I have noticed the importance of keeping my focus on desired results to travel the most productive and pleasant path to success.  When challenges arise, I want to access the widest range of ideas, perspectives, and resources available to me.

When faced with a meaningful challenge to something we have planned or already invested in, it can be all too easy to slip into extended focus on avoiding what is not wanted.  Depending on the potential consequences of the challenge, deeper concerns or fears may be triggered, with their associated emotions.  This is a relatively unresourceful starting point for thinking and action.

How can you stay resourceful in these situations?   Drawing on Neuro-Linguistic Programming modeling tools, Susan and I have identified one “how-to” strategy.  I outline it below both to share it with you and to stimulate comments on strategies that work best for others.

When a challenge or an unexpected event that could throw us off track must be addressed, or when I notice some degree of tension or lack of creativity when considering how to proceed, I have used the following sequence with success:

(1) Imagine as vividly as possible in minds-eye what is wanted, the (more…)

For many of us, early January is a time of reflection and renewal, accompanied by the resolve to realize more of our potential and dreams in the coming year.  What keeps resolutions alive as we return to desks, drawing boards, and existing commitments?

One answer lies in identifying how you will measure and track progress toward the results you want.  When developing New Year’s resolutions (or any other type of planning targets), many people skip this step.  Why bother?  Here are three convincing reasons to use the magic of measures:

** Measures make you pay attention, on a regular basis, to what you want.

Expressing what you want in specific, positive, and measurable terms with a definite due date focuses attention and action toward desired results.  For example, we have created a set of desired customer results, with associated success measures.  These measures include the total number of organizations and individuals served in 2009, repeat business (the percentage of all purchases or contracts in 2009 that come from customers who purchased during the previous three years), and the percentage of customers offering referrals, testimonials, or sponsorship for new opportunities.  Each of these success measures has a target for 2009 and a baseline established using corresponding 2008 results.  Regular review of these results reminds us of what we want to create this year.

** Measures reveal movement toward or away from target results.

This gives you (or your project team) early warning if a change is needed in the action plan you have established. As you monitor progress, you will learn which of your planned activities “grow corn.”  If planned activities are not contributing as expected, tweak the plan and invest associated resources in more promising pursuits.

** Measures can be motivating.

When you are working on long-term projects, recognizing milestones or increments of progress can be especially helpful.  Don’t wait for a quarterly review to enjoy and communicate evidence of success.  Celebrate each customer referral or new contract, and let your attention to success build the forward momentum.

It’s No Mystery:  How to Choose Measures That Promote Success

1.  Measure what matters to you:  You may wish to establish measurable results for health and well-being, family and relationships, investment and growth, or giving back, as well as for your business success.

2.  Decide what evidence will tell you that you are on track to success.  Make sure that you can collect the data you need easily and at the accuracy and frequency that enables you to monitor progress.

3.  Establish targets for your measures.  The success measure can be as simple as a “yes” or “no” indicating that the result exists, or you can specify an expected level of achievement on a 0 to 10 scale, or the target can be a percentage or number.

4.  Set a baseline or benchmark that describes where you are now.

5.  Establish responsibilities for collecting and recording data, and a calendar for review of results to-date.

Measurement systems are now “Go!” for your success.  Happy New Year!

Randy and Susan

© Aligned for Results, LLC