Is Your Organization Influenced by the Environment?

Author: Tracy O'Neill, DSL 

     Environmental scanning can provide the information needed to strategically plan for change. In a study of 20 nondiversified companies, profitability was greater when executives had an accurate perception of industry volatility. A study of 65 organizations concluded that active participation by top leaders in monitoring the external environment was associated with a more accurate perception of the market. 

When the environment is a major influence, organizations should develop intelligent systems that scan for threats and opportunities. Here are some questions likely to be important to your organization in these hard economic times:

• What do clients and customers need and want?
• What is the reaction of clients and customers to the organization’s current products and services?
• Who are the primary competitors?
• What strategies are they pursuing?
• How do competitors’ products and services compare to ourorganizations products and services?
• What events affect the acquisition of materials, energy, information, and other inputs used by our organization to conduct its operations?
• How will our organization be affected by new legislation and by government agencies that regulate its activities?
• How will new technologies affect our organization’s products, services, and operations?
• How will our organization be affected by changes in the economy?
• How will our organization be affected by changing population demographics?
• How will our organization be affected by international events?

There are several guidelines leaders can use to monitor the external environment. First, identify the relevant information that needs to be gathered. Look for timely information about specific sectors of the environment on which the organization is most dependent and for competitor performance. Second, use multiple sources of relevant information. For example, informal network contacts, journals, newsletters, trade and professional publications, and government reports can help avoid biases. Interpretations are likely to be more accurate if many people are involved in the process. Third, learn what customers want and need. Market surveys are a common source of information. Fourth, learn about the products and services of competitors. This information provides a basis for evaluating your own organization. Fifth, link environmental information to strategic plans. Use the information to measure the relevance of current goals.  continued on http://925coaching.blogspot.com/.

The Best Solution - Part 2 - Chronicals the Use of Love and Logic with Twin 3 yr olds

It's been a few months since I've posted, sorry for the delay.  I've continued working through the Love and Logic book, diligently applying the techniques and tools they teach, with some success.

We still have our melt-downs and a few temper tantrums, but overall, we are beginning to enjoy the time we have with each other.    My little men are beginning to communicate really well.  I believe I am evolving as a mother.  We are learning how to co-create our life together.   

This whole "choice" and "co-creation" model of interacting with my kids is interesting indeed.    We still have our disagreements and challenges, but when I'm the most frustrated and uncertain of how to manage, I think to myself, I am teaching my children how to "think" and "thinking adults" have a better chance at navigating life than those who are adult robots.

We've moved firmly into the "mine" and "no" stage of life with Mason and Grayson.  All the parents reading this are smiling and thanking God they survived this experience.  My husband is having a real tough time with the kids telling him "no".  I don't like it, but do not have as much emotion around it as I believe a man does.  

Of course, I consulted my resident twins books, they all consistently state this is an doubly frustrating time.  Twins are not only learning how to have their own unique identity, but also the mental understanding of how to own and how to share and how to compromise.  As a parent, we take so many things for granted, such as simple sharing, the art of compromise, and communication.   None of this whole "mine" business made any sense to me until a buddy of mine educated me in such a profound way.  One cannot share, until someone understands how to be an owner.  It is impossible to grant permission to something that you are not the owner of.  So, first I am working with my children on having their own space to own.  That in and of it's self is tricky.  We are using the following techniques to some degree of success:

1)  Writing their name on specific toys, not all, as we keep some joint toys to teach sharing.

2)  Creating separate rooms.  Whether they sleep separately or not, I've heard this works great.  We haven't transitioned to this yet, but will be there by the end of the year.  They have already begun to sleep fine in separate rooms, so we're on our way!

3)  Allowing them to have separate activities and outings.  For example, Mason spent the weekend with his Grandparents last weekend and we had a Special Grayson weekend at the house.  This allows them time to miss each other and also have differant things to share with each other when they come back together.

Some of this is working great, and then other times, we simply have a case of will against will.  Those are the times it's very difficult to remember my children have choice and it's my job to stay calm and provide consequence and love.   

In my next blog, we will talk about the perils of pottytraining.  What a trip this whole pottytraining situation is!!

Until next time, Kathy