Best Practice Sucks. Here's Why.

A comment a colleague of mine made today inspired me.  He inspired to rethink an article I wrote for Employment Today back in the pre-twitter age..  I was wondering if I still believed what I wrote way back in 2006.

I am pleased to say that I not only still believe, I believe more than ever.

Best practice.  The phrase irritates me.  In fact, it more than irritates me, it infuriates me.

It's not that I don't believe in best practice.  On the contrary I do.  But it's the context in which it seems most often used that gets on my nerve.

When someone wants to adhere to 'best practice' they are seeking to attain to a level of compliance.  But with what?  Something some external party is imposing on you.  Something that will make you uniform.  That's all well and good if you want compliance.  Compliance with a regulation, a process, or the so called optimal way of doing things.

The problem is that apart from complying with a legislative requirement, or some other process imposed by an external force, best practice can only inhibit an organisation's ability to innovate, evolve, grow and stay relevant.

When the phrase "we are doing it because it is best practice" is trotted out in a meeting where people are discussing customer engagement, stakeholder management, organisational development or any other aspect of business, it does one thing, and one thing only.  And it does it instantly.  It shuts down conversation.

If you want to foster an environment of innovation, creative development and competitive advantage, any talk of adopting best practice for anything other than legislative compliance, will be a cancer to that environment.  People will shut down, stop thinking and simply follow process.  I mean, who are they to argue with best practice?  They will nod, smile and agree.  But they won't align or engage.  You will end up with people complying, but not buying in.

Best practice is about uniformity.  Insight, competitive advantage and growth come from the unique, from trying new things, from going beyond the current accepted norm, from stretching beyond the accepted best practice (or from throwing it out altogether).

Ditch your talk of best practice and get on with innovating.

Thanks Alex.  You have certainly fired me up.

Cheers!

Fine the Bar Managers - Less Slaughtered People

The news following Wellington round of Rugby 7's this year was dominated by media reports of alcohol abuse, drunkenness and a myriad of alcohol related problems. 

Photo: www.3news.co.nz

This is not new news in Wellington.  Unfortunately we have too many stories of events ruined for many punters by alcohol abuse. 

Now, let me be clear here - I like beer.  I like it a lot.  I make my own beer and I attend events that celebrate the fast growing craft beer sector here in Wellington.  In fact, one of my most memorable experiences as a tourist was and evening in Denver taking a Brews Cruise.  I meet some wonderful beer geeks - people like Scott Witsoe from Whits End Brewing are so into brewing great beer that their passion is infectious (and their beer is great too).

But even in the craft beer community it is not OK to be slaughtered, munted, hammered, rat faced, or smashed.

There are many ways to attack the problem, from education to law reform. But I think there is one very simple option which, if taken up, could give us some quick wins.  I have always considered that there are 3 levels of protection at play when a person heads 'out on the town'.

1. Self control
2. Friends helping
3. Hospitality professionals

The problem with the first level is, when alcohol is involved, personal judgement can quickly go out the window.  That's where friends come it.  Of course, a problem arises when these friends are also imbibing and their own judgement becomes impaired.  And that's where the third level of protection should kick in.

Hospitality professionals (aka barmen and barwomen) are paid to stay sober, and to say enough is enough when they can see that someone's judgement is impaired.

Think back to the last time you were out and had consumed a few.  Could you still buy a drink even though you were intoxicated?  Did you see drunk people buying another round?  Knocking back shooters? Stumbling to the loos? Slurring and swaying?  No doubt you did.  And you saw it on licensed premises where it is not only illegal to serve a person who is drunk, but it is illegal to even have them on the premises.

The hospitality industry complains of people pre-loading - drinking at home - before they head into town, often already intoxicated.  There is an easy fix for that.  Don't let them onto your licensed premise when they turn up drunk.  They will then either stay at home, or if they want to socialise, make sure they are still sober when they arrive to enter.

It's time the police enforced the law we have.  Shut a few bars down for a period, revoke a few licenses and fine a few bar managers $10,000.  

Bingo, less slaughtered people - in every sense of the word.

Cheers!

Big Doors Swing On Little Hinges

While I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, I am all for ongoing reflection and taking the time to think about life and what can be done to further enjoy the experience.  Clearly the holiday season often affords extra opportunity to walk, talk, think and reflect.

It has been said that, “big doors swing on little hinges.”  A couple of metal hinges, held in by a few screws, will hold and swing a door many, many times their own weight.  And not only that, they will hold and swing the door flush and square.  Often when the door is not swinging freely it is the hinges, not the door, that need lubricating.

I think of the hinges of life as the decisions I make – decisions that lead to actions.

So, if it’s big change you’re looking for in 2014, think about small decisions – small decisions that either now or over time lead to a big difference. 

All too often people set New Year’s resolutions that are really nothing more than wishes.  They are often big goals that they hope will change their current reality or transform their lives – lose xx kgs,  spend less and save more, work smarter not harder, quit smoking, do a 100 day challenge and so on, and on…. and on… and on. 

For me 2014 is not about big goals.  It’s about being present and making better ‘in the moment’ decisions.  I don’t mean big decisions, but simple in the moment decisions.  

Biting my tongue even when I could justify a truthful response.  Speaking out when I might have otherwise been silent. Cooking a meal when a takeaway seems appealing.  Responding now to a customer or colleague’s request when someone else suggests a quick coffee.  Walking to the next bus stop instead of standing and waiting.  Commuting on my bike (either bicycle or motorbike) instead of in my car.  Using what I have rather than buying something new. Noticing someone’s new tie, suit or haircut.  

Nothing big just better, every day, in the moment decisions.

While making optimal in the moment decisions will improve my relationships, my health and my wealth, more importantly they will improve the lives of those around me.  I will make a positive difference not only to each person I encounter, but also to the environment and my customers’ and employer’s businesses.  The communities in which I live, work and play will be better places.

2014 isn’t about making big changes.  For me it is about making better, small, in the moment decisions.  On these little hinges the big doors of opportunity, success and happiness for all around me will either swing open or shut.

Cheers!