Manager Tools Forums

General Management and Leadership :: RE: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's)

Author: HMac
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:35 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 6

Remember to gather support for the eventual SOP - or you risk having it live only on paper! Make sure to ask for lots of input from the frontline staff - regardless of the task, somebody is doing it today, and their support is necessary in order to standardize and repeat it elsewhere.

The term "best practices" has become a bit overused, but in spirit, I think that's what you're going for here: a repeatable process way of doing something that's been refined by experience.

-Hugh
_________________
"Fortunately, I keep my feathers numbered for just such an emergency!"

Podcast Discussions :: RE: Mentoring

Author: HMac
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:31 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 18

Yeah, what Chuck says.

I think the key in his approach is to get to your plan as smoothly as possible, so he understands what you mean by "mentoring" and what his commitment will be. That's one of the beauties of the apporach outlined in the podcast.

-Hugh
_________________
"Fortunately, I keep my feathers numbered for just such an emergency!"

Podcast Discussions :: RE: Mentoring

Author: ctomasi
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:03 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 18

I'd be direct about it. If he's physically close, stop by his office. If he doesn't appear to be busy, knock on the door and ask "Excuse me, Bill? Do you have a minute?"

Introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're intent is. "I've heard a lot about you and would be honored if I could take you to lunch or dinner periodically to get your insight and guidance - if you would mentor me. Here's my plan to minimize your effort and maximize the time we spend..."

Use your own words of course. Be polite, professional, and direct.
_________________
-- Chuck Tomasi
-- Father, IT Manager, Podcaster, Author
-- http://www.chuckchat.com, http://www.chucktomasi.com

General Management and Leadership :: RE: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's)

Author: ctomasi
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:58 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 6

Cwhite,

I'm honored you remember me from Chicago. Thank you.

"Too simple" is realtive. As I ramp up my new project (re-insource the help desk), I'll be thinking about standards for answering the phone, responding to email, etc. It's all about what you want to standardize. I can help thinking about the security guards and their smiles.
_________________
-- Chuck Tomasi
-- Father, IT Manager, Podcaster, Author
-- http://www.chuckchat.com, http://www.chucktomasi.com

General Career Discussions :: RE: Question of etiquette

Author: asteriskrntt1
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:33 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 6

Gosh, just go contact the person to continue to build your network (see the podcast). Information will flow... remember Horstman Law # 6... there are no secrets... people know what is going on. Go build your network and opportunities will flow to you.

*RNTT

General Career Discussions :: RE: MBA Schools

Author: asteriskrntt1
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:26 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 9

Tom

My experience with MBAs is quite different. Most were great communicators. That being said, a big part of being a great communicator is being a great listener and observer and learning how to pry information out of people.

*RNTT

Interviews :: RE: What to wear on the follow-up "working" interview?

Author: asteriskrntt1
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:15 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 9

Informal interviews and casual dress are two entirely different issues.

I would wear a sport jacket and tie. It is very easy to delayer. And have the comment practiced "I know you said casual. I have another function right after this that is a little more dressy. Do you someplace I could leave my jacket and tie?"

This shows good decision-making and a willingness to "fit in".

*RNTT

Meet-Ups :: RE: Indianapolis Meetup?

Author: IndianaRoger
Subject: Indianapolis Meetup
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 6:59 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 1

Sounds interesting.... Noticed that there have been 49 views so perhaps there are more MT fans in the area than I had thought.
_________________
Roger

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. - Albert Einstein

Technology and Podcasting :: RE: EFFECTIVE WITH OUTLOOK !

Author: cedwat
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 6:41 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 115

Oh... Cool! Nice proposal.

Do task get a "context" field ?
Is there a way to filter task list on just a part of the category name (for example : all task which have a "@" in the category field ?

Thanks

C�dric
_________________
7-4-1-4 and learning ...

Project Management :: RE: Project management interview

Author: jhack
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:42 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 6

Martin,

Thanks for the update! Sounds grueling, and you must have handled it well. Congrats.

John
_________________
John Hack

Podcast Discussions :: RE: DISC Dream team!

Author: jhack
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:38 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 5

Identify the skills you need: attention to detail, good customer interactions, etc. That's what you look for during the behavioral interview.

We all have all four parts of the DiSC profile in us. High I's can master the details demanded in a supermarket. High C's can effectively handle customers. What you want are folks with the skills and behaviors to be effective, regardless of profile.

John
_________________
John Hack

Podcast Discussions :: RE: DISC Dream team!

Author: cwhite
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:09 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 5

We use DiSC for hiring, but only after we've made the hiring decision and the candidate has accepted the offer. This way the manager can immediately get the communication on the right track.

We've discovered that all profiles can be effective as managers and leaders... it's more about the person, not the profile.
_________________
Chris White
7-1-1-5 (Creative)

General Management and Leadership :: RE: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's)

Author: cwhite
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:02 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 6

Chuck-

Good stuff. Thanks! I remember you from the Chicago Conference and you had some great input there as well.

When talking about SOP's- what is too simple (or maybe insulting for the staff)? How to answer the phone? How to open and process mail? At what point do you cut it off?
_________________
Chris White
7-1-1-5 (Creative)

General Management and Leadership :: RE: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's)

Author: cwhite
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:53 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 6

TomW wrote:

What have you found on Google so far?

Good point... I'll eventually use that resource. I want to keep that as one of my later options, after learning from members of MT.
_________________
Chris White
7-1-1-5 (Creative)

Podcast Discussions :: RE: Mentoring

Author: US_Spaniard
Subject: Approaching A Mentor
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:31 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 18

I read through the posts and saw a lot of good ideas of how to carry out meetings with the mentor.
I need assistance to approach a mentor. He has no idea who I am but leads an area (very different from mine) that is very important to my career goals. How do I introduce myself and steer the conversation towards mentoring and ask him to do it?
Thanks