Here are some examples of low hanging temptations:

"Let's get this system working right first" -- Increasing cycle count accuracy for inventory that should be disposed of

"First, just let me get organized!" -- Reorganizing

The Latest Wrinkle in Customer Service - Blame the Customer!
Recently, I needed to get a brand new clothes dryer repaired that refused to generate hot air.I phoned the warranty folks and they told me, because it was Christmas time, I’d have to wait about a week and a half before I could dry my clothes.When the guy arrived, he scoped out the machine and said I bought the wrong model, they’ve had a lot of trouble with that one, and if I begged the manufacturer, it might replace the unit, altogether.I told him that wasn't what I needed. I'd settle for some dry clot

Is your organization quick to pick the low hanging fruit? Do you gravitate first to the quick and easy? Are you prone to delay the bigger projects until you get those little ones out of the way?

Low hanging fruit is, by definition, quick and easy to implement, thus the lure to pick it is compelling. And picking the first piece usually exposes another, leading to an infinite quantity of low hanging temptations. While some of these quick fixes make excellent investments, many do not, and the nearly infinite supply can become a black hole for your limited resources.

Not only are the quick and easily-visualized fixes compelling, but the more important, strategic opportunities are often exactly the opposite because they can involve fundamental changes in how things are done. The most important initiatives will create an organization with new capabilities, new capacity, and new potential. These often require disruption to people, processes, resources, policies and/or technology. The complexity and level of departure from the norm can make both the goal and the path harder to visualize. The need for analysis and tough decisions ensures that many important opportunities will never be mistaken for low hanging fruit.

Here are some examples of low hanging temptations:

"Let's get this system working right first" -- Increasing cycle count accuracy for inventory that should be disposed of

"First, just let me get organized!" -- Reorganizing f

Basics of Binders
Binders are found in almost every office. There is a binder for every need and people understand the advantages binders offer over other organizing methods. Loose papers get lost, papers kept in folders get bent and unorganized, but papers in a binder are kept in great shape and in order. Binders also make for a professional appearance when presenting information to a client or business partner. Binders are an office staple that should not be ignored.Binders come in various types and styles. The variations depe

pelling. And picking the first piece usually exposes another, leading to an infinite quantity of low hanging temptations. While some of these quick fixes make excellent investments, many do not, and the nearly infinite supply can become a black hole for your limited resources.

Not only are the quick and easily-visualized fixes compelling, but the more important, strategic opportunities are often exactly the opposite because they can involve fundamental changes in how things are done. The most important initiatives will create an organization with new capabilities, new capacity, and new potential. These often require disruption to people, processes, resources, policies and/or technology. The complexity and level of departure from the norm can make both the goal and the path harder to visualize. The need for analysis and tough decisions ensures that many important opportunities will never be mistaken for low hanging fruit.

Here are some examples of low hanging temptations:

"Let's get this system working right first" -- Increasing cycle count accuracy for inventory that should be disposed of

"First, just let me get organized!" -- Reorganizing

The Up and Coming Small Business Trend for 2006: Teleconferencing Networking
According to the U.S. Business Administration in 2003 of the 5.7 million American businesses, 99% are considered to be small businesses with less than 500 employees. Small business owners continue to grow at a phenomenal rate. Many business strategies are employed to grow sales including: Search Engine Marketing, Internet Marketing such as online newsletters and traditional marketing such as radio, television and print. Another popular marketing strategy is business to business (B2B) networking through numerous vehicles su

e quick and easily-visualized fixes compelling, but the more important, strategic opportunities are often exactly the opposite because they can involve fundamental changes in how things are done. The most important initiatives will create an organization with new capabilities, new capacity, and new potential. These often require disruption to people, processes, resources, policies and/or technology. The complexity and level of departure from the norm can make both the goal and the path harder to visualize. The need for analysis and tough decisions ensures that many important opportunities will never be mistaken for low hanging fruit.

Here are some examples of low hanging temptations:

"Let's get this system working right first" -- Increasing cycle count accuracy for inventory that should be disposed of

"First, just let me get organized!" -- Reorganizing

Bringing Our Family to Work
Let’s face it, most of us consider professional success and personal success the same.In other words we become our careers. We also bring our personal and family behaviors to work causing many of the same conflicts we have at home.The number one skill that will improve both our  professional and personal life is good communication. What we have to say is not important unless we are able to be heard.Following are tips to help build good communication skills:Listen with an open mind. Concentrate

w potential. These often require disruption to people, processes, resources, policies and/or technology. The complexity and level of departure from the norm can make both the goal and the path harder to visualize. The need for analysis and tough decisions ensures that many important opportunities will never be mistaken for low hanging fruit.

Here are some examples of low hanging temptations:

"Let's get this system working right first" -- Increasing cycle count accuracy for inventory that should be disposed of

"First, just let me get organized!" -- Reorganizing

Top 10 customer service tips
1. Hire people who have a service attitude. Some people simply enjoy serving others, their organizations, and even their communities. The spirit of service dominates their personality. This attitude of service has nothing to do with money or background, and people who have this attitude are not necessarily the most outgoing or bubbly. This type of person will move your business forward. These people make the best salespeople as well.2. Make the customer's time with you an experience. You have but a f

ill never be mistaken for low hanging fruit.

Here are some examples of low hanging temptations:

"Let's get this system working right first" -- Increasing cycle count accuracy for inventory that should be disposed of

"First, just let me get organized!" -- Reorganizing files, electronic or paper, that are rarely, if ever, used

"I know I can buy these parts for less somewhere else." -- Finding a cheaper supplier for parts that would disappear with strategic repositioning

"While we are at it…" -- Adding that extra software feature while you are in the process of making other changes: "we'll have to test everything anyway"

For a diagram that accentuates the dangers of pursuing low hanging fruit, visit this article on my website: Strategy, Results and Distractions. Even without the diagram, you can probably imagine that success likely depends on a combination of easy and difficult tasks. If your efforts are driven first by ease of implementation, you will squander resources on low hanging, unimportant fruit.

Are Your Resource Decisions Driven by Low Hanging Temptations?

The most important factor determining the impact of low hanging temptations depends on how clear your employees are about your strategic objectives. Employees make decisions all day long that consume resources. If they do not know