Need more evidence that Holistic Marketing is the way to go? Look no further than the December issue of Fast Company and the story on The Secret of Toyota's Success (Pg 82). The quick and dirty of the story is that Toyota's operations in America are kicking some serious tail because they are never satisfied with their performance and thus always seeking to improve.
The process they describe is an example of Holistic Marketing at it's best. Toyota seeks to create a culture where everyone is trying to add value at every step and the best thing about it is that they don't even think about like it's marketing. This article focused mostly on manufacturing but once you accept the idea of adding value everywhere, at every level, by everyone then you're entering the realm of Holistic Marketing.
The beauty of it all is that other companies can try to copy the mechanisms but unless they internalize the belief that every single person can add value they will just add another project to be completed rather than building a culture where every person is focused on creating value for the customer.
The folks at Toyota have found a way to employ the principles of Holistic Marketing but their way shouldn't be copied ad hoc. Instead we should all find "The Secret to Our Success" rather than trying to copy Toyota's Secrets. If you focus on the principles; that every person can and should add value, that we always have room to do better and that when people believe in something they are capable of powerful things then you will find the "Secret to Your Success".
When you do it the right way, the authentic way you'll find a lasting answer, rooted in Holistic Marketing, rather than a copycat answer based on another companies hard work. Start with yourself and create value by making the process better every day and soon it will start to spread. Ask yourself, "What can I do to create value for the customer?"...and then do it!!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Relationships Matter
Relationships Matter. I heard it again just as I have been hearing it time and time again over the last year. This time it came from a rather unusual and unexpected source; Mr. Robert Gates, Nominee for Defense Secretary.
I was watching the confirmation hearings on C-Span this morning while studying for my Enterprise Resource Planning Final, an odd pairing I know but such is the life of an MBA.
As I was reviewing how an ERP system can help with ABC (Activity Based Costing), I heard Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama ask Dr. Gates what he had learned in his professional life that would help him in his new job as Secretary of Defense. Loving to hear that type of question I tuned in a little closer.
What Dr. Gates said was so familiar given what I have been increasingly hearing from executives visiting our program over the last year. Almost to a person all of these very diverse, experienced and successful people have said that it is the personal connections they have with people that matter when it comes to getting things done. Imagine my surprise when Dr. Gates said exactly the same thing in his reply to Senator Sessions.
To paraphrase Dr. Gates , he said that you can throw out the organizational chart when thinking about how to get things done because it is the personal relationships which matter more than anything else. To be sure what you do matters in this world but it's not the only thing that matters. As human beings we are uncomfortable with the unknown regardless of its accomplishments. This it seems is where relationships come in.
Relationships allow individuals to get comfortable with each other because they become "known" to each other. When people have strong relationships based on trust and respect they are freed to get things done. So if you want to get things done in your organization focus more on building bridges to other people and less on analyzing data. It's not that the analysis isn't necessary, it certainly is, it's just not sufficient.
If you want to get things done do your analysis and then get out and talk with people about everything; their families, life, beliefs and then your analysis. Build relationships day-in and day-out and you will have a strong network of support in personal and professional situations, in good times and in bad. If you don't you will be on your own...a depressing and lonely thought in a world so big.
I was watching the confirmation hearings on C-Span this morning while studying for my Enterprise Resource Planning Final, an odd pairing I know but such is the life of an MBA.
As I was reviewing how an ERP system can help with ABC (Activity Based Costing), I heard Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama ask Dr. Gates what he had learned in his professional life that would help him in his new job as Secretary of Defense. Loving to hear that type of question I tuned in a little closer.
What Dr. Gates said was so familiar given what I have been increasingly hearing from executives visiting our program over the last year. Almost to a person all of these very diverse, experienced and successful people have said that it is the personal connections they have with people that matter when it comes to getting things done. Imagine my surprise when Dr. Gates said exactly the same thing in his reply to Senator Sessions.
To paraphrase Dr. Gates , he said that you can throw out the organizational chart when thinking about how to get things done because it is the personal relationships which matter more than anything else. To be sure what you do matters in this world but it's not the only thing that matters. As human beings we are uncomfortable with the unknown regardless of its accomplishments. This it seems is where relationships come in.
Relationships allow individuals to get comfortable with each other because they become "known" to each other. When people have strong relationships based on trust and respect they are freed to get things done. So if you want to get things done in your organization focus more on building bridges to other people and less on analyzing data. It's not that the analysis isn't necessary, it certainly is, it's just not sufficient.
If you want to get things done do your analysis and then get out and talk with people about everything; their families, life, beliefs and then your analysis. Build relationships day-in and day-out and you will have a strong network of support in personal and professional situations, in good times and in bad. If you don't you will be on your own...a depressing and lonely thought in a world so big.
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