The claim is that proven methodology tested against new ideas helps reduce risk. Mainly because knowing what works improves the efficiency of resources necessary to create a specific deliverable.
One thing that helps this is to turn work efforts or project lessons learned into home-study programs. That means translating complex work efforts into easy-to-follow instructions applicable to a broad audience.
Examples Of How I Reduce 20-Years of Experience Into Home-Study Programs
Here are a few past projects available as home-study or mentoring programs. These experienced-based projects make seemingly complex outcomes systematic.
- Remote Video Projection. After numerous setbacks, I set up a small-scale video and audio production capturing 2 TB of media. More than 100 hours of podcast, demonstrations, and remote media capture. [INTERNAL PROCESS AND AS PROJECT]
- Outcome Management System. Helping top earners get more from each day while focusing on critical tasks. The system includes daily workflow tracking, process optimization, and delegation support. [Report: What Do You Want (and How You Get It)]
- Hurricane Marketing System. Built on experiences with hurricanes, tornadoes, and natural disasters across the mid-Atlantic region. Includes best practices from interviews, business continuity, and risk management. [AVAILABLE AS PROJECT]
- More Profitable Customers. System for businesses to get commercial customers who can pay, stay, and refer. Building on more than 20 years of business development experience with government and commercial contracting. [Tip Sheet: Facts About Profitable Customers]
Translating complex efforts into easy-to-follow guides helps project teams understand the contributing factors to their success. Use close of project lessons learned, results of root cause analysis, and learnings from audits to guide future efforts.
Why Do Most Not Take Notes About Project Success or Bother With Post-Morteums
When you hire a typical consulting agency or business development consultant, they work from scratch. They see your project as different because it strokes the hiring manager's ego or seeks a high volume of billable hours.
Initial consultations and discovery are essential; however, looking for what works is more productive than convincing the client they have failed. Talking about a client's weakness closes more consulting engagement, but it doesn't deliver outcomes.
Instead, focus on the internal measure of success tied to specific contributions to business processes. Create your own best practices literature, at a minimum, training materials for new hires as you expand your operation.
This approach helps reduce the risk of talent walking out the door with a methodology that contributes to your success. Putting your business in a box with home-study-like materials is hard work.
Documenting of Best Practices Is What Middle Managers Fear Most
Middle managers will see this as a waste of time because it takes the mystery out of the black box work. Too often, these same managers don't know what contributes to their success and failure.
Instead, they use the blame game to elevate their position when things work and blame others when problems happen. You eliminate this mess by documenting what works with proper post-mortem reviews.
Contact our offices if you're interested in having expert support to capture best practices. Read about the results of these projects in newsletters for high-income professionals and entrepreneurs available here.