Have you also started the new year with good intentions, or perhaps resolved to do because? I may have some useful tips to increase the chances of success.
Of course, it is the time of year par excellence to start with good intentions and there is nothing wrong with that either. Unfortunately, we naturally hear and see all kinds of praiseworthy plans around us of which very little remains after the shortest time and that's a pity, we didn't have grand plans for nothing and it would be all the nicer if we could realise them.
Business
I don't want to talk about all kinds of plans in the personal sphere (such as quitting smoking, living healthier, cutting down on excess weight), no matter how nice and good the plans are.
My focus right now is more on good intentions with your company, or your department. There, too, the most beautiful plans are often drawn up and there, too, the results are quite often disappointing. What can we do to increase the chances of success?
Coherence
As with many business activities (and especially in logistics!), consistency with the environment is key. Process improvement, result improvement and all kinds of other improvements cannot usually be achieved by one person or by one department. So coordinate with your environment (other departments, colleagues, suppliers, customers) what you intend to do and how to achieve it. Actions done in isolation rarely have as much effect as actions done as a team. Possibly, one has to put more effort, or incur more costs, so that the other can achieve nicer or better results. By thinking about and agreeing on this in advance, there are often benefits for all parties involved.
Structure
Another point to consider when realising good intentions is the underlying structure. If you want to drive a different outcome you will also have to provide different inputs. A different way of working, a training plan, a different consultation structure or a different way of measuring can contribute to this. And once measurements are in place, the result can also be objectively recorded and monitored.
Borgen
Again as with quitting smoking, changes and improvements in corporate environments also benefit everyone if the improvements last. Many people quit smoking on 1 January, but how many of them still haven't touched a cigarette by 31 January? And on 1 May?
With corporate plans, it is no different. There is a lot of tidying up around the turn of the year, but how do we make sure it stays tidy? Assurance is facilitated by consistency (have you also agreed to order in smaller quantities?), structure (are the employees involved informed and do they have the right tools at their disposal?) and measurement and monitoring (do you discuss the results with those involved?).
Wishing you a wonderful new year with lots of good intentions!
Frits de Wind - Logistics consultant
