Teams Outperform Individuals - Sometimes

Tempting though it is to think we can do everything ourselves, in fact our best work gets done with other people. We depend on the skills, experience and knowledge of others to achieve really great work.

Think about scientific breakthroughs like Crick and Watson’s breakthrough with DNA. Think about Wedgwood’s brilliant partnership with Bentley creating the world’s most famous ceramics business. Think about Jobs and Wozniak creating Apple. Although Warren Buffet is the name we recognise as the world’s most successful investor, in fact he has a long-term partner and sounding board – Charlie Monger.  Just yesterday Buffett said that he had lost $873 million with a power utility stock. This was an investment he had made without consulting Monger. Next time, he said, I’ll call Charlie. It seems everyone needs to be part of a team.

Unfortunately, though, it’s not always so easy.  Not all teams are successful. In fact some are spectacularly unsuccessful, and would do better to have people work independently. So what’s the key?

Having complementary skills and experience seems to be a big part of it. With Buffett and Monger, Buffett is the optimist and Monger the pessimist. Between them they cover all bases and make outstanding decisions.

Think about a football team. If you had 11 goalkeepers, or 11 strikers, it wouldn’t be very effective. You need defenders, midfielders, even left and right midfielders, plus strikers and of course goalkeepers. All members of the team have to be proficient in their own right, but also good at working as a team to create goal scoring opportunities. I think the football team is quite a useful analogy in business. We can’t all be strikers. We don’t all have the talent, ability, experience or inclination. But we do all have specific skills that are important within teams.

The key is to understand and appreciate what each person brings to the team, and to ensure their skills are acknowledged and used in the best way.  It’s not always easy, but perhaps a key part of achieving important things.  

What would our businesses be like if we weren’t so obsessed with taking the credit for things? They might be more effective, and a great deal happier.

I’m a Secret Lemonade Drinker

Rod Allen was a founding partner of the successful London agency Allen Brady & Marsh and he wrote this memorable ad for R White’s lemonade. It was so effective that it was originally aired in 1973, revived in 1983, and remade in 1991. To turn an ordinary sunny afternoon drink into a guilty pleasure is almost as delicious as lemonade itself. It’s a world where bad mothers swig sherry from mugs, and chocoholics hide their stash for fear of sharing. Allen’s words were as delightfully daft as the tune was irritatingly memorable:

I’m a secret lemonade drinker (R Whites! R Whites!)
I’ve been trying to give up, but it’s been one of those nights (R Whites! R Whites!)
R White’s lemon-a-a-ade, R White’s lemon-a-a-ade
I’m a secret lemonade drinker (R Whites!)

At least three things that make this pure genius:

• Inversion. Turning an innocent pleasure into a guilty secret is memorable (as well as silly). Allen was a funny man, apparently fond of telling Marsh “I’ll come to your funeral, if you come to mine”.
• Research. Allen Brady & Marsh analysed market research data to great effect. Their ads were based on the best data their clients could buy. Mike Brady was the analytical part of the trio and no small part of their success.
• Advertises the brand. Crazy as it sounds; not all advertising does this. The brand name is repeated 7 times in this 30 second ad.

Allen is known for having made brilliant and economical use of words to great commercial effect with slogans such as “This is the age of the train”, “Milk has gotta lotta bottle”, and “That’s the wonder of Woolies”. All were backed by thorough data analysis and research which enabled them to understand their customers.

No man is an island

Microsoft has announced that Satya Nadella is replacing Steve Ballmer as chief executive. This is good news, not least because we have waited so long to hear it. The share price blipped up 1%, indicative perhaps that this was no great surprise. But Microsoft is such an important player in the software market that all eyes will be on Mr Nadella to see how well he performs.

What’s perhaps most interesting about this announcement, however, is that he will have the assistance of Bill Gates as Technology Advisor. Whilst it’s tempting to believe that the people who make the headlines are largely responsible for success, lessons from Microsoft and many more, show that it is the quality of teamwork that make or break a venture. Microsoft’s earliest days were a partnership between Paul Allen and Bill Gates. Their first operating system, DOS, was bought in rather than developed themselves, despite their obvious enthusiasm for software development. They could have had a crack at doing it themselves, but they smartly chose not to.

Whilst rumours abound about the personalities at Microsoft (both Gates and Ballmer have their critics) it’s hard to escape the fact that this is a story of partnerships as well as passions. Microsoft has certainly contributed to the sum of knowledge for great teamwork, and have massively improved standards within their own software development teams. So they have learnt their fair share about getting the best out of teams.

So will this be an inspired move? Gates has the tenacity and technical depth to be of assistance to any CEO. But he is also said to be abrasive and rude. So can he be a team player , as well as being competitive? The cloud and mobile technologies that Microsoft produce are amongst some of the strongest reasons why teams are more important to businesses than ever before. We now live in a world where relationships can now be as strong across oceans as they are across the table. Which is both empowering, as well as daunting. So I’m going to be watching this one with more than a little interest.

The Power in Reflection

As some of my longer standing (sitting? suffering?) readers may know, I completed an MBA a few years ago.  To say that it was a privilege would be a massive understatement – it was one of the happiest experiences of my life.  It was mind enhancing, brain stretching and ideas generating – I guess in common with education of any type.  I met lots of lovely people and it also taught me the power of reflection.  And in particular structured reflection.

So it was with some dismay that that I heard from my not-so-old tutor that the current offering of the MBA is less reflection oriented.  It caused me to pause and think.  (See, I did learn something!)

The rationale, apparently, is that it is better to be action-oriented than reflective.  I don’t know about you, but action isn’t necessarily one of my problems.  The right type of action, maybe, but I’m very capable of getting on and doing stuff.  What I’m less good at, and need to be reminded often about, is the need to reflect, in a structured way, about what I’m doing and whether it’s going in the right direction.

David Allen in his book, Getting Things Done, talks about the need to reflect, ideally once a week, on what you’ve achieved, what you’ve not achieved, what your goals are, and taking the long view.  It’s good advice, and from talking to people, advice that doesn’t always get acted on.

So this is my reflection for the week.  I need to make more time to reflect, to see where I’ve been, and where I’m going, and whether my goals still make sense.  And maybe update this blog more often.  I’ve said that before, though, so I don’t think I’ll repeat myself. 

Bon weekend, tout le monde!

How to Create a Strong Brand

What is a brand?

A brand is an identify that differentiates your product or service from those offered by others.  Your brand tells customers what they can expect from your company.  In other words, a brand is a promise of your distinctive delivery.

Poundland communicate their cheap products through shops with no-frills in off-high street locations.

Coca Cola communicate a promise of good times through sharing a Coke with friends, backed up with adverts showing happy smiling faces in the sunshine.  Their promise is that Coca Cola delivers enjoyment.  Nowhere do they talk about the qualities of their product.  They talk about the value it delivers.

Why is Branding Important?

Your brand is the accumulation of every interaction that customers and potential customers have with your company.  Every tweet they read, every time they buy from you, the way you behave when things go wrong, your advertising, your web site, your Facebook page, you blog, your business cards.  The lot.

Just as every time someone buys a Coca Cola they want the Coca Cola brand promise to deliver the same taste, each time someone interacts with your company you want them to have the same experience.  Whether that is good value (as with Poundland), a high level of technical proficiency and ability to deliver a working system (as with a software business), or whatever your particular promise is.

All this takes time, money and effort.  If your efforts get fragmented or if your message is different each time a customer interacts with you, they become confused about your promise of delivery. In other words they are not clear what will deliver when they buy from you. No wonder companies consider their brands to be amongst their greatest assets.

How to Create a Strong Brand

First you have to be clear about your promise of delivering. 

This isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds.  You have to understand who your target market is, and why they might buy from you.  Why would they exchange their hard-earned cash for whatever you are offering?  Why will their lives be better after the transaction?  After all, whilst you are focusing on the money going INTO your bank account, they are acutely aware that it is coming OUT of theirs.

Secondly, you have to communicate your promise of delivery in a clear, uncomplicated way.  Not because your customers have difficulty reading, but because they are busy, pressured people with multiple stresses to deal with.  Their attention span is limited. 

So the message has to be crystal clear.  Coca Cola = good times.  Poundland = cheapest anywhere.  McDonalds = consistently good burgers.   The Tea Bush = Beautiful gifts for now and for future generations.

So what are the components of building a brand?

• Distinctive identity – including visual identity and brand promise
• Repetition of key messages
• Consistency – in messages, and in interactions with customers.  Over a long period of time, with a large enough audience
• Delivering on your promise

6 Ways to Boost your Energy Levels at Work

No matter how well organized your “to do list”, it’s not going to help unless you have the energy and drive to get everything done.  So here’s six of the best to get more “get up and go” into your day:

1. More exercise.  It’s counter intuitive, but really works.  Whilst you may be tired after the exercise, over a period of time it gives you more energy, more get up and go, and more resilience to cope with whatever gets thrown at you.  Walking or running at lunchtime has the added advantage of giving some thinking time, and a complete break from the computer screen.
2. Less alcohol.  Although relaxing with a glass of wine or three at the end of the day is tempting, it tends to make the following day a little less dynamic.  Alcohol disrupts sleep, and takes the edge off your energy.  Best avoided during the week if you want to disappear early on Friday with a clear desk.
3. More vegetables and fruit.  In that order.  Most of us don’t have a problem with eating enough fruit – these days it’s grown to be sweet and delicious.  For increased vitality try adding more vegetables; raw or lightly cooked.  Try small amounts of nuts and seeds for snacks.
4. Less caffeine.  Tea and coffee is fine in moderation, but too much has a negative effect on energy.  You don’t notice it immediately, but little by little it creeps up.  Caffeine also affects your sleep and your mood, so knowing your limit will boost your energy levels.  Long standing Getting to Excellent readers – don’t say a word!
5. More water.  It’s easy to get out of the habit of drinking water, but I always find it helpful when I remember.  There’s a lot of discussion out there in cyber space about how much water we should drink a day, but I think it’s fair to say that most of us could do with a few more glasses of water, and fewer cups of coffee or green tea.
6. Less untidiness.  I sound like my mother now, but tidiness does help.  Working in a clear space calms the mind and reduces distractions.  So I’m told – this is work in progress for me! 

I’ve read lots of wonderful tips like splashing cold water onto your face, changing your socks and more besides.  But when you are feeling tired it’s the last thing you want to do.  For me at least, improving my energy levels is something I work at over a number of weeks and months. 

What’s your experience of working at your best?  Do share ….

How to be Successful - Cultivate Calmness

I recently saw an old friend after a gap of several years.  It’s funny how you forget aspects of people’s personality when you haven’t seen them for a bit.  After only a few minutes, what came flooding back was his sense of calmness.  A quality I don’t always possess, I’m afraid, but one that is super-useful in business.

Why is it useful in business?  Simply because all sorts of things happen all the time – some good and some less good.  The person who can control their emotions and not let events throw them off course will be more successful.  Things happen to everyone – a cross neighbour, a child’s tantrum, or a nasty email from a colleague.  Unfortunately we have no control over other people’s behaviour.  We might try to alter their behaviour through discussion, persuasion and the like, but when all is said and done they are free agents to behave as they do. 

The key is not getting thrown off course, and not allowing external events and behaviours to upset you and your work. 

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying ignore input from other people.  That’s valuable additional perspective that we all need.  What I am saying is that emotional reactions and getting upset at things you can’t change isn’t helpful.  Trust me, I know, I’ve done my share of getting upset and it didn’t help.   

James Allen, the self-help author said, “The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.”

So much for being calm, but how do you do it?  Unless, like my friend, you are blessed with a calm nature, there are several things that can help:

1. Understand that we can’t change other people, or their behaviour.  We can only change ourselves and our reactions to external events.  It’s self-evident, but so easy to forget in the heat of the moment.
2. Look at things from the other person’s point of view.  What might it have looked like from their perspective?  Maybe they weren’t being malicious, but clumsy or thoughtless.  They are different.
3. Practice letting go and not reacting when things happen.  Start with being calm to little things like bad driving or getting caught in the rain.  Then practice smiling or pausing when someone says something particularly stupid.  Like physical fitness, the more you do it, the stronger you get.

I need to take some of my own advice, and react less to little things.  The truth is that it’s often very difficult.  The payoff to being calmer, however, is significant and therefore worth a little practice.

But I’ll leave the last word to the old wag Oscar Wilde who once quipped “Nothing is so aggravating than calmness”.

Quite so, but he also said "It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating."