people
Putting Salt in their Oats
August 04, 2014
Complete this sentence: "You can lead a horse to water, but ..."
If you live in the USA, you probably know this adage. It speaks to human motivation and the limits to our ability to force anyone to do what we want them to do. A recent experience at CEATH Company's Pedagogy and Technology Conference leads Martin Ramsay to think about what his grandmother used to add to that old saying. Grandma Ramsay's addition puts a different spin on motivation. But you'll have to watch the video to find out what it is.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
If you live in the USA, you probably know this adage. It speaks to human motivation and the limits to our ability to force anyone to do what we want them to do. A recent experience at CEATH Company's Pedagogy and Technology Conference leads Martin Ramsay to think about what his grandmother used to add to that old saying. Grandma Ramsay's addition puts a different spin on motivation. But you'll have to watch the video to find out what it is.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Three Ways to Think Like a Consultant
July 28, 2014
Opportunities to "think like a consultant" abound. Using an example from a family reunion, Martin Ramsay discusses the three keys to thinking like a consultant:
1. Observe the client's pain
2. Identify the tool(s) that will help
3. Offer your service
Everyone should think like a consultant, even in unexpected places like a family reunion.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
1. Observe the client's pain
2. Identify the tool(s) that will help
3. Offer your service
Everyone should think like a consultant, even in unexpected places like a family reunion.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Contracts Done Right
July 21, 2014
How do you view contracts? Many people seem to view contracts as the basis upon which they might sue the other party should there be a breach of the agreement. But Martin Ramsay sees it differently. He make the case in this video blog that a contract is actually an opportunity for transparency. By putting down on paper, with as much clarity as possible, what both parties intend to bring to the business relationship, participants in a contract can come to a much better understanding of their expectations of each other.
A contract shouldn't be seen as a method for legal action, but as an opportunity for clarity and understanding.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
A contract shouldn't be seen as a method for legal action, but as an opportunity for clarity and understanding.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Doing Business Like a Partner
July 14, 2014
How do you do business? Do you view other companies and organizations with which you do business with suspicion, as potential adversaries? Or do you view your business partners as true partners, committed to your success just as you are committed to theirs?
In this video blog, Martin Ramsay discusses doing business like a partner and what that would mean for how we treat others.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this video blog, Martin Ramsay discusses doing business like a partner and what that would mean for how we treat others.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Build Internal Capabilities
June 23, 2014
One of CEATH Company's dozen or so basic operating principles involves "building internal capabilities." We want to see our clients better able to solve their own problems after an engagement with us than they were before we came. If we fail in that regard, then we have failed as consultants.
So many consultants don't understand this principle. They prefer to build a culture of dependency, one in which it becomes necessary for the client to call the consultant back, again and again. That may be good for business in the short term, but it is not good for the health of the client nor for the overall relationship in the long term.
The same thinking could be applied to companies and customers, governments and citizens, therapists and patients, and more. Watch this week's video blog to get Martin Ramsay's thoughts on building internal capability.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
So many consultants don't understand this principle. They prefer to build a culture of dependency, one in which it becomes necessary for the client to call the consultant back, again and again. That may be good for business in the short term, but it is not good for the health of the client nor for the overall relationship in the long term.
The same thinking could be applied to companies and customers, governments and citizens, therapists and patients, and more. Watch this week's video blog to get Martin Ramsay's thoughts on building internal capability.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Goodbye Coldwater Creek
June 16, 2014
What happened to Coldwater Creek? According to the company web site, "On April 11, 2014, Coldwater Creek filed for bankruptcy in order to facilitate an orderly wind-down of our operations." The move was required because "the Company and its advisors were unable to find a potential buyer for the Company or a source of capital to provide adequate liquidity to fund the Company's ongoing strategic turnaround initiatives."
What happened to the company? In this video blog, Martin Ramsay considers some of the possible reasons for Coldwater Creek's untimely demise. A clue came from a 70 year old clerk who has worked for Coldwater Creek for ten years. Watch this blog to learn what she said. Then judge for yourself whether or not she is on to something ... and what it might mean for your organization.
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Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
What happened to the company? In this video blog, Martin Ramsay considers some of the possible reasons for Coldwater Creek's untimely demise. A clue came from a 70 year old clerk who has worked for Coldwater Creek for ten years. Watch this blog to learn what she said. Then judge for yourself whether or not she is on to something ... and what it might mean for your organization.
post a comment (powered by Disqus)
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Enjoying Your Work
May 26, 2014
Do you enjoy your work? Surprisingly, many people say that they do not. Why is that? Is work supposed to be onerous and miserable? Or can it be meaningful and fulfilling?
Not all work is perfect all the time of course. But shouldn't our work be something we enjoy, at least the majority of the time?
This video blog uses a woman working in the florist department of a big box grocery store as an example of how we can enjoy our work. At least most of the time!
Be sure and check out other blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Not all work is perfect all the time of course. But shouldn't our work be something we enjoy, at least the majority of the time?
This video blog uses a woman working in the florist department of a big box grocery store as an example of how we can enjoy our work. At least most of the time!
Be sure and check out other blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Force Field Analysis
May 19, 2014
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.
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.
The Factory on a Desk-Top™
May 12, 2014
Have you ever wished you had a good way to help people understand the complexities of how system work together and how they drive human behavior? Have you ever wished for a way to talk about process improvement in a tangible way? Look no further than this week's video about CEATH Company's Factory on a Desk-Top™, a simulated factory in which everyone has a role and the results can be measured.
The Factory on a Desk-Top™ is loads of fun as people work with Lego® bricks, Monopoly® money and poker chips to figure out how to improve processes.
As you watch this video, think about process in your organization and how you can dissect them for improvement.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The Factory on a Desk-Top™ is loads of fun as people work with Lego® bricks, Monopoly® money and poker chips to figure out how to improve processes.
As you watch this video, think about process in your organization and how you can dissect them for improvement.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
When You Make a Mistake
April 07, 2014
Have you ever made a mistake? Martin Ramsay sure has! He uses two recent mistakes he's made as an opportunity to apologize and to discuss what we should do when we find out we've goofed.
When you make a mistake: accept responsibility, apologize, reach the people who have been affected, do it promptly, and make it right.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
When you make a mistake: accept responsibility, apologize, reach the people who have been affected, do it promptly, and make it right.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Developing Your Consulting Instinct
January 27, 2014
Martin Ramsay suggests that everyone, regardless of their job title, should think of themselves as a consultant. A consultant's job is to look at an organization, its vision, systems and people, and to figure out ways to improve them. Consultants should always be about making things better.
In this video, Martin uses the common advertisements for flu vaccines as an example of how consultants might develop their consulting instincts. When something seems a bit out of line or over the top, a consultant's instincts will say, "Find out more. Look deeper. Find out what's behind the scenes." The ubiquity of flu vaccine advertising suggests there's more to this than just an opportunity to get vaccinated against the flu.
What seems a bit out of line, over the top, or not quite right at your organization? What do your consulting instincts tell you about finding out more. Perhaps you'll discover the key that unlocks a new level of productivity and effectiveness for your team!
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this video, Martin uses the common advertisements for flu vaccines as an example of how consultants might develop their consulting instincts. When something seems a bit out of line or over the top, a consultant's instincts will say, "Find out more. Look deeper. Find out what's behind the scenes." The ubiquity of flu vaccine advertising suggests there's more to this than just an opportunity to get vaccinated against the flu.
What seems a bit out of line, over the top, or not quite right at your organization? What do your consulting instincts tell you about finding out more. Perhaps you'll discover the key that unlocks a new level of productivity and effectiveness for your team!
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Who is Responsible for Good Jobs?
December 30, 2013
Who is responsible for providing good jobs? In this blog, Martin Ramsay argues that the idea of "providing" jobs misses the point. Instead we should think in terms of "offering" jobs to free agents — entrepreneurs, if you will — who may decide to accept or not accept our offer because of the quality of the job. Everyone who works is an entrepreneur, and whether or not a job is a "good job" depends on who is looking at it.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Maintain Your Integrity
December 09, 2013
Martin Ramsay reflects on the importance of personal responsibility and integrity. He makes the case that other people are watching your actions, not matter where you are or what you're doing. If your actions don't match up with your stated purpose, you're undermining your own integrity.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Visions, Systems and People
December 02, 2013
In this Blog, Martin Ramsay lays out CEATH Company's undergirding operating philosophy about organizational change. To improve an organization, to make it more effective, one must focus on three things at the same time: vision, systems and people.
Organizational change requires a vision. Without a vision, any activity will suffice since any action will produce some kind of result. Just not the ones we want. To move toward that vision, there must be integrity between the organizational systems and processes work. Finally, it is critical that people are skilled, have congruent motivation, and are able to help move the organization forward toward the vision.
Without simultaneously working on all three, and without all three being in alignment, organizational improvement is unlikely to be successful.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Organizational change requires a vision. Without a vision, any activity will suffice since any action will produce some kind of result. Just not the ones we want. To move toward that vision, there must be integrity between the organizational systems and processes work. Finally, it is critical that people are skilled, have congruent motivation, and are able to help move the organization forward toward the vision.
Without simultaneously working on all three, and without all three being in alignment, organizational improvement is unlikely to be successful.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
On Being a Consultant
November 18, 2013
What do you think when someone tells you they're a consultant? Is it an honorable profession, or more in company with lawyers and used car salesmen? In this Blog Martin Ramsay tells why he sees himself as a consultant -- and why you should, too.
(And, by the way, lawyers and used car salesmen have honorable professions as well. It is all in how you conduct yourself and your own personal integrity.)
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
(And, by the way, lawyers and used car salesmen have honorable professions as well. It is all in how you conduct yourself and your own personal integrity.)
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Lessons from the Fall Begonia
November 11, 2013
Do you ever fail to stop and smell the roses? This Blog takes a lesson from a tenacious begonia that is still blooming after the first frost.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
When You Lose Your Job
November 05, 2013
What happens when someone looses their job? How do they cope?
It happened to me twenty years ago today. This first blog posting begins the saga of what happened to Martin Ramsay, how CEATH Company was formed, and how we grew our business to encompass clients in 13 countries on four continents.
Perhaps some of the ideas presented here will help you on your journey.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
It happened to me twenty years ago today. This first blog posting begins the saga of what happened to Martin Ramsay, how CEATH Company was formed, and how we grew our business to encompass clients in 13 countries on four continents.
Perhaps some of the ideas presented here will help you on your journey.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.