The Production Line

Today we are going to continue our discussion on the topic:

So you want to start your own business

Last episode we began the whole thing by answering the question: "Why?"

This is answered with the mission and vision statements.

The mission statement tells why you are starting this business

The vision statement tells how you are going to make the mission come true

What is the business going to look like?

So once you have these two in order, the next question is: What?

What are you going to do in this business?

You have to nail this question

What are you going to produce or provide to your customer?

This follows very closely behind the vision statement

Keywords: #IWorkForGM; Production Line; Entrepreneur; Mission Statement; Vision Statement; Product Definition; Service Definition; Process Improvement; Leadership; Management; Product Development; Product Owner

Welcome to the Production Line

Today you are going to ask yourself a key question that will help take your business in the right direction

I've asked this question to a woman that is looking to start her own business

I've also asked this question of people that have owned their business for years

A third group of people I ask this question of are those managers responsible for delivery of a good or service to a customer

What is this question?

Keywords: #IWorkForGM; Production Line; James G Trela; Jim Trela; Business; Process Improvement; Start A Business; Entrepreneur; Management;p Leadership

Last week, I told you about the volunteering I do at my son's school.

Like last year, I ran this year's Father / Son Service Program at the Sacred Heart Apostolic School in Indiana

So what did we accomplish with $1,250, 80 People, and 4 Hours?

Keywords: #IWorkForGM; Production Line; Leadership; Management; Non-Profit; Program Management; Sacred Heart Apostolic School; SHAS; Process Improvement

Again this year, I ran the Father / Son Service Program at the Sacred Heart Apostolic School in Indiana

How did it all begin?

In July, I contacted the the Rector of the High School, Fr. Timothy Walsh, to ask about the Father / Son Weekend and if the Service Program was going to be part of it.

Since the program was such a success last year, I assumed it would, but didn't want to make that assumption.

The dads and the students all enjoyed the time together as well as the physical work performed at the school.

As expected, the service program was going to be part of the weekend.

I volunteered to coordinate it again this year.

Keywords: #IWorkForGM; Production Line; Process Improvement; Leadership; Management; Business; Sacred Heart Apostolic School

Over the life of the Production Line podcast there have been several occasions where I have mentioned the concept of the Power of Acknowledgment.

But does this payoff in the market place?

Keywords: #IWorkForGM; Production Line, Leadership, Management; Whole Foods Market; Art of Grateful Leadership; Center for Grateful Leadership; IIL; Process Improvement

Topic of today's podcast

Delivering a consistent quality product to your customer requires a solid process

I say this at the beginning of each and every podcast

Now, I'm not the only one

There is a blog that talks directly about this topic

The blog comes from the Genesys company and can be found at:

http://blog.genesys.com/consistency-is-key-to-customer-experience-excellence/

The name of the post is: "Consistency Is Key to Customer Experience Excellence"

And it's dated October 3, 2017

They author is David Sudbey

Keywords: #IWorkForGM; David Sudbey; Production Line; Process; Improvement; Management; Leadership; Genesys Blog; 

Over the last couple episodes, I have walked you through the processes I found while on vacation.

I told of Horse farms, hotels, a cavern tour and the Jack Daniels Distillery

So what does this leave you in your business or organization?

Do you have solid processes and systems in place?

Do you have any systems in place?

Let's get back to working on your business.

Keywords: #IWorkForGM; Production Line; Process Improvement; Management; Leadership; Processes; Systems; Taylor Made Farm; Jack Daniels;

Are you process aware?

Not only within your organization, but when you are out and about?

Today, I want you to begin becoming more process aware.

As an example

Let me tell you more about my vacation...

Now, what do you notice when you are on vacation?

Everything is novel to you so you begin to notice everything

My wife and I recently went on vacation

Driving to Louisville, KY

Then to Nashville, TN

Then to Chattanooga, TN

Our Ultimate destination was to Columbus, GA and Fort Benning.

Then we drove home with a stop in Lexington, KY

In each city we stayed for at least one night

Each city had a different hotel chain too

And each experience was unique

Some good

Some not so good

Let me tell you what I noticed.

Processes are everywhere

In the last episode we talked about the first half of our vacation

Today we are going to talk about what we did once we left Nashville, TN

Keywords: #IWorkForGM; Production Line; Jim Trela; Processes; Procedures; Process Improvement; Lynchburg; Jack Daniels; Ruby Falls; Leadership; Management

Are you process aware?

Not only within your organization, but when you are out and about?

Today, I want you to begin becoming more process aware.

Let me tell you about my vacation...

What do you notice when you are on vacation?

Everything is novel to you so you begin to notice everything

We recently went on a vacation

Driving to Louisville, KY

Then to Nashville, KY

Then to Chattanooga, TN

Our Ultimate destination was to Columbus, GA and Fort Benning.

Then we drove home with a stop in Lexington, KY

In each city we stayed for at least one night

Each city had a different hotel chain too

And each experience was unique

Some good

Some bad

Let me tell you what I noticed.

Processes are everywhere

Keywords: #IWorkForGM; Production Line; Jim Trela; Redneck Comedy Bus Tour; Process Improvement; Processes; Systems; 

What do you notice when you are on vacation?

Everything is novel to you so you begin to notice everything

We recently went on a vacation

Driving to Louisville, KY

Then to Nashville, KY

Then to Chattanooga, TN

Our Ultimate Destination was Columbus, GA and Fort Benning

On the way back we drove to Lexington, KY and stayed with friends

While there I got the chance to visit place a place that was a testament to processes, procedures and satisfied customers

Taylor Made Farm

Keywords: #IWorkForGM;Taylor Made Farm; Production Line; Jim Trela; Management; Leadership; Processes; Procedures;