How can we prevent damaging employees?
As business staggers from one global crisis to another – fasEo Consulting is experiencing at first-hand what certain institutions are doing to survive and develop.
All organizations that we work with agree on one thing – that economic pressure primes disastrous human impacts, with accelerated closures pushing more people to join the unemployed register.
We lived too long on the business fat that was stored in strong economic times – and have depleted now over many years of low production and heavy borrowing. We over-extended our customers, our suppliers and our balance sheets. We focused heavily upon the service industry and let core production move overseas in pursuit of low cost economies. Nothing new in that.
The cycle of life deems that the fittest will survive, and that inaction by companies of all sizes is likely to bring many more near-death experiences. We have to find ways to become fitter for sustained survival of the business species. Reclaiming a business is like an athlete seeking to regain fitness. It cannot be done overnight and needs a very careful and unswerving regime. Shedding fat cannot be done at the expense of cutting away muscle.
As demand falls, many employers jump on their ‘production ratios’ and cut the payroll at a stroke – without due care for the quality of the productivity. We certainly do not advocate that financial stability should take a lower priority – nor that all job reductions can be saved, but we do believe that it has to be done with a cautious eye upon operational attributes. Being prepared for a leaner and fitter future will differentiate success from failure. Getting the businesses of North America on track is about refocusing upon leadership and a true belief in customers. It’s about getting processes and handovers effective and fault free. Like running the 4×400 relay – great athletes make poor team performance, if they drop the baton!
The first stage in gaining fitness is assessing the current health (of an organization). fasEo Consulting has developed a Health Check that can be applied across any size of organization. The objective is not to rearrange the financial results of a business, but instead to focus upon seven driving enablers – Leadership, People, Policy, Strategy, Partnerships, Resources and Processes. This non intrusive status review matches perception to demonstrable facts, and identifies key areas for improvement. fasEo believe in seeking ways to reduce waste and cost, and increasing efficient and effective output, where great athletes should lead great team performances.
In times of challenge, doing the same thing we have always done (but only quicker or with less people) will only produce the same end results. Assessing what an organization does in a systematic but speedy process can identify a strategic approach to a better future. Cutting costs can be found in improved performance, and not in job losses alone.
It’s time to get fit!!
For more information about the fasEo Health Check visit www.faseo.com
FasEo LLC is a Business Experience Consulting firm, located in Connecticut US and London UK. It is managed by practitioners who have dynamic track records in business start-ups and development across Europe and North America.
