Blog
It’s Not the Number of Tasks You Do (WT594)
As we drive around in the motorhome we like to listen to audio books. One book that I can highly recommend is Measure What Matters by John Doerr. The book is all about what he calls “OKRs” – Objectives and Key Results, why and how to use them. But that’s not what I want to share in this thought. One of the points that stood out for me was a little sentence for managers. You see, lately I’ve been coaching a number of Chief Operating Officers at various companies as well as having been the COO for Kip McGrath Education Centres, an Australian international franchise organisation and currently...
That’s How You Do Customer Service and Sales (WT593)
Ross and I went for a walk on our penultimate night in South Australia before heading back to Newcastle for a whirlwind 3 day drive. As we left the motorhome I asked Ross if we needed to take an umbrella. The sky looked threatening. “We’ll be right”, he said. We walked the kilometre or so into the town village and came across the art gallery. It was still open and we met the curator, Sarah. Sarah was so enthusiastic about the artwork and the artists and we ended up staying much longer than we anticipated. Of course, when we left the gallery it started to rain. What to do? “Let’s keep walking...
Don’t Wear Long Pants in the Shower (WT592)
Over the past two and a half years of travelling in the motorhome, I’ve seen many many amenities blocks in caravan parks. The last one we stayed at before heading back to Newcastle with a “For Sale” sign on the back of the motorhome was most impressive. The cubicles were much larger than usual and there was plenty of pressure for the hot water. They were new and clean. As I emerged from my cubicle another lady commented on how good the amenities were. She mentioned the difficulty she normally has with small cubicles, especially when she’s trying to pull on her long pants. As she was telling...
Put Your Hand Up (WT591)
This week’s theme is about “Independence”. Years ago one of my bosses was telling me a story about his grandchildren. He had three grandchildren – twins and an elder sister. “The eldest is so independent. She will not accept help of any kind”, he said. “When I offer her help (and she’s only 4 years old), she replies “My Can Do It”, he continued. “The twins are completely different. Not only do they accept my help, they will often ask for it, “Grandpa, I need you to help me”, he added. (They were 3 years old at the time.) I find this fascinating that right from the get-go, we are different in...
They Don’t Know if You Don’t Tell Them (WT590)
This morning I finished re-fuelling the motorhome and was waiting for Ross to finish cleaning the windows before paying. I noticed two flags that read “Car Wash”. I looked around to see where the car wash was and wondered if it would be high enough for us to drive through. “Hey Ross, can you please ask about the car wash when you go and pay?” I asked. After what seemed like ages, Ross came back and said he and the attendant went and measured the height and width and we’d be able to use the machine. “Fantastic.” As we drove off I reminded Ross about our marketing training with Emerson...
Put It In An Envelope (WT589)
It was 4:30pm and we were on our way to the next location. We were about 45 minutes away. We had planned to pick up a script from the local doctors on our way. I thought they closed at 5:00pm but thought I’d ring and see if I might be able to collect it. “Could I please check what time you finish please?” I asked. “5:00pm”, said the receptionist. “I have to pick up a script and we’ve been travelling and I don’t think I’ll get there by 5:00pm”, I shared. “You can pick it up tomorrow”, she said. Oh well. It was worth an ask. I was no worse off. That night we decided to get up early the next...
Sorry We’re Full (WT588)
It’s school holidays and a long weekend and we didn’t realise until it was too late to book in to another location. Ross kept ringing the caravan parks. “Do you have any vacancy for the weekend ?” he asked. “Hahahahahaha”, laughed the park managers, “Sorry, we’re full. We’ve been booked out for weeks.” “No problems. I just thought I’d ask. You never know. With the weather turning cold and raining there might have been a cancellation. It doesn’t hurt to ask.” replied Ross. Ross wasn’t attached to the outcome. He thought it was a long shot, but asked anyway. Thirty minutes later the phone...
Get a Mirror (WT587)
I fell off my pushbike today. I was following Ross and he navigated a tricky pedestrian crossing at the lights. A car stopped for him and the driver waved him on. I was happy to stop and wait, however the driver waved me on too. I felt pressured to keep going, although I’m not as proficient at riding as Ross. Of course I fell over. Right in the middle of the road. Right in front of the driver. Right in front of all the other cars that were stopped at the lights. I was embarrassed. I was hurt and Ross was nowhere to be seen. The young driver called out to see if I was ok. I had somehow landed...
Yes I Did and I’m Sorry (WT586)
Our theme this week is taking responsibility. It always amazes me how themes arise. I often hear stories from different people around the same topic. Here’s a couple of examples: A worker isn’t performing. The worker fails to produce an expected outcome on time. The supervisor calls a meeting. The worker offers excuses as to why it wasn’t his fault. The supervisor asks, “What’s your 50% in this?” The worker continues blaming circumstances and others. The worker doesn’t seem to understand, that we are all co-creators and that if it’s happening and you’re involved, then you too are...
I’m Happy to Pay (WT585)
Today’s thought is about what we value and how those values show up in our every day interactions and affect others, whether we’re aware of it or not. Here’s what happened: I had been working from the tiny table in our motorhome and was looking to rent a room at a library or community centre so Ross could take the motorhome for a service. I called the local libraries; no joy there. I emailed the room coordinators at the libraries; no joy here either. I was getting fairly desperate to be able to do my work and present my online training. I needed a room. On a return visit from the amenities...