Our 50th Episode

Martin Ramsay celebrates his 50th video blog! Give us your feedback. What would you like Martin to talk about in future episodes?

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Also, be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

Principles of Information Technology 5 of 5

Has your organization ever experienced the agony of a software implementation -- after the previous one didn't go so well? Do you ever feel like your company is in a vicious circle of software implementation after software implementation?

The fifth principle of Business Information Technology Deployment deals directly with this issue. In this video blog, Martin Ramsay discusses how information systems must be constructed in such a way that they can grow and change, just as our organizations grow and change. Easier said than done, but an important facet of building technology that will not automatically become obsolete.



Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

Unintended Consequences

"Be careful what you measure, because you may actually get it." In this video blog, Martin Ramsay counters conventional wisdom that says you should measure what you hope to accomplish.

There is truth in the idea of measuring what you expect to achieve, that you should "inspect what you expect." But sometimes the result has unintended consequence. Using a very real example from a CEATH Company manufacturing client, Martin suggests that measurements that are not extremely well thought out do not always achieve the desired goal and instead, drive organizational behavior toward something than is unintended, even counterproductive.



Be sure to use the cloud of tags to the right to find other related videos. For example, The Catfish Principle discusses being clear about your organization's purpose and Is Your Mission Your North Star? points out the role of an organization's mission in achieving its goals.

Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

Force Field Analysis

The Force Field Analysis tool is a simple yet powerful technique for analyzing the forces for and against a change. When beginning any change journey, it is wise to look at all the forces that will help you implement the change, and all those forces that are arrayed agains it. In this blog, Martin Ramsay shows us how to construct a Force Field Analysis and discusses some of the ways to use the analysis for making change.



Other video blogs that discuss change and the tools for change include Do People Resist Change?, The Merlin Technique, and The Factory on a Desk-Top™.

Be sure and check out other blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

Complacency and Exposure to the Elements

Are you in danger of becoming too complacent in your work? The recent cold weather reminds us we all have vulnerabilities. Were it not for a warm place to live and work, we would be at the mercy of the elements.



In this blog, Martin Ramsay discusses why we might not want to allow ourselves to become too complacent.

Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

The Newark Experience

A recent experience in the Newark airport causes Martin Ramsay to reflect on what NOT to do when it comes to process effectiveness. This video blog focuses on four key points for making sure that processes are as good as they can be.



Don't give your customers, your colleagues, or your company the "Newark Experience!"

Also, be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

Is Your Mission Your North Star?

In this video blog, Martin Ramsay asks a fundamental question: is your mission your north star? In other words, does your mission statement guide your organization in times of crisis, or when an important strategic decision needs to be made?

If the answer is, "Not really," or even, "I'm not sure," then maybe it is time to take a hard look at your mission statement. If your mission statement doesn't guide you through the rough waters of organizational change, then perhaps it isn't providing a mission for you at all.



If your organization's culture is not to use your mission statement to guide you in making the tough calls, then either you need a new mission statement, or you need to get back to what really matters for your organization. You need to find your organization's "Catfish Principle."

Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

The Catfish Principle

The "catfish principle" is being very clear about your organization's purpose.

In earlier blogs, Martin Ramsay has discussed the importance of knowing where you're going, of having a vision for the future, of being clear about your organizational mission. While traveling on business in central Florida, Martin and his wife, the fabulous redhead, stumbled across a locally owned restaurant that demonstrates this concept clearly. The Catfish Place in Kissimmee, Florida is very clear about its purpose, and states that purpose right on its menu.

Watch this video blog to see the "catfish principle" in action.



Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

Unchanging Principles

In a world where change seems to be the only constant, are there things that do not change? We often say that the only things we can know for certain will happen are death and taxes. But surely there is more to it than that, isn't there?

In this video blog, Martin Ramsay uses a winter snow storm as an object lesson for thinking about change -- and things that don't change. He challenges us to consider if there are things that are unchanging and immutable in the face of a world where change is a constant reality.



Discovering principles that are non-negotiable, unchanging constants is an important life skill for everyone to develop. This video blog challenges us to go on that voyage of discovery.

Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

The Merlin Technique

Which is harder: to imagine the future you hope to create, or to figure out the path to get there?

You'll have to watch this video blog to find out, but here's a hint: the Merlin Technique is a clever way to help yourself and others figure out the path to a desired future. Along the way, you might even find yourself being motivated to get started on moving toward that vision of the future right now. Martin Ramsay discusses how to use the Merlin Technique as a way to describe that winding path that leads to where you want to go.



Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

Mental Models

Martin Ramsay discusses the importance of "mental models." Mental models are the models, the ways of thinking about things, that people carry around inside their heads. The way they view reality, through the filter of their mental model, greatly affects behavior and the way people are able to interact and get work done. Working hard to understand people's mental models is an important thing to do. People are often not aware of their own mental models and often end up talking past each other as a result. The role of a consultant, either internal or external, it to work to bring these mental models out into the open to increase understanding.



This video blog focuses on the use of mental models in organizational change and the importance of describing a mental model for the future, for where the organization is going. The result is often called a mission statement or a vision statement; at their heart, mission and vision statements are mental models made public.

Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

The Change Journey

Martin Ramsay continues the important theme of "change" begun in Blog 7. He emphasizes that knowing where you're going and having a vision for the future are vital if change is to be positive and successful. Today's blog talks about the change journey with focus on the end goal.



Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.

Do People Resist Change?

Do people resist change? We often say they do.

Yet politicians often campaign simply on the idea of change. How do we reconcile that politicians can appeal to our desire for change, while simultaneously resisting change?

Martin Ramsay probes deeper, exploring what people really do resist, why simply calling for change isn't good enough, what how change can be used to move organizations forward.



Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.

Sponsored by CEATH Company.