Reflecting, digging wells and process improvement - The Cultivated Management Newsletter

Reflecting, digging wells and process improvement

This week's been an interesting week for me, how's you week been?

Reflective mood

This week we've been moving offices to a new shiny office, still in Basingstoke UK. But as we moved offices it gave me some time to reflect. Stopping to reflect more about my work and contribution is something I wish I had done more of. I've written a post about it on LinkedIn. I just wished I'd slowed down to absorb what I was doing - I suspect it would have felt more rewarding.

Process Improvement

One of the core jobs of a manager is to improve the system and processes that people are working in. I believe that when you become a manager you move from working in the system to working on it. A subtle difference but an important one. I wrote a post on the Cultivated Management blog about the importance of processes, mapping and improving.

Book of the week

And finally, this week's book of the week. Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty by Harvey Mackay. First things first, when I saw the book I thought it said "dig your well before you're thirty" - dammit - I've missed my opportunity to dig my well :) But don't worry, for those of us over thirty we're fine. 

The basic premise of the book is that you should network. And do that networking before you need the network. I'll be honest almost all of my successes have come from having a wide network. Speaking gigs, jobs, interviews, deals - they are all because of a strong network. Your network is your greatest asset. 

The book itself is an old book - published back when a roller-deck was the defacto standard of keeping contact details. Now we have LinkedIn, CRM and email some of the tips are somewhat dated, but the essence from the book is still relevant. Network. Network. Network. Harvey goes in to details about how to network and when to do it. 

It's a good book about networking. Some of you may be doing networking already, but if you're new to networking then give it a try. But bear in mind it's somewhat dated feel now. 

Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty by Harvey Mackay

Enjoy.

Until next time.

Rob..