The Illusion Of Free! - SP Singh Blog

What is the cost of free?

In the material world, too much is free—for instance, free trials, software, information, training, search, etc.

It does not stop there. The loyalty programs offer free loyalty points, birthday gift coupons, and other free goodies.

Regarding food, many restaurants offer kids free on certain days and times, free drinks with a combo, and free fries with a drink.

Artists happily upload their popular albums on YouTube for free; most social media sites are free.

With so much free stuff around, as consumers, we may think we are winning.

But the free stuff is not free.

It costs us our time, attention, resources, and money. Maybe we should first ask ourselves if we really need the free offer. We may first need to determine how much the free stuff may actually cost us.

In a nutshell, find out the potential cost (time, attention, resources, and money) before indulging in it for free!

The end of the week can be tiring. We may lose motivation and get a little slack on the planned tasks. It may be because of hard work, a few sleepless nights, and stressful work. When it is Friday, our body and soul ask us to slow down. But we must ask ourselves if we...

Expert knowledge is readily available with AI tools, easy access to books, and online resources. So, making recommendations may add limited value to our staff and teams. As leaders, we add value by driving change and implementing our recommendations, motivating our...

The ability to change our minds (decisions) is a privilege. If done right, it gives us options, helps us manage risk, and opens new opportunities. Here is the thing: We make decisions based on our current knowledge, conditions, and environment. After we decide, our...

In the Project team, we may fill different roles. The role I am serving is not a testament to my experience, background, knowledge, or skills. Instead, it is my commitment to deliver on the demands of the given role. It is about the value I add consistently throughout...

Recently, I have been listening about the great men in history. I learned that the great men had to deal with familiar, worldly problems. What made them great was their mindset and attitude towards the challenges. There is a massive difference in how they face their...

Little improvements are capable of making a big difference! Little improvements are awesome. They are quick, relatively easy to implement, and do not cost much. Still, they have the potential to make a big difference. For example, a firm handshake, eye contact, and...

I may find people make me a target, embarrass me, shame me, or insult me. I may feel people around me ignoring my opinions. The more I try to show others my weight, the worse it gets. Chances are that I am taking myself too seriously. Forgetting, I am not a big deal....

We generally know what we need to do to improve basic things like losing weight, running effective meetings, prioritising, managing relationships, etc. We know how to be more effective. But the problem appears to be making and sticking with improvement decisions....

Sometimes, we know what needs to be done. We have done it enough times. We have experienced others doing it, too. To us, the path is straightforward. Someone needs to follow simple steps. However, we repeatedly fail to explain the steps to newbies. We offer lectures...

Realization is often magical, when and if it ever happens. It is mind-boggling how our lives suddenly change with a little realization. Nothing changes in the outside world, yet it transforms us instantly. No one knows how or when the next realization will manifest...

Here is the best way to kill creativity within the team. As a leader, tell them what you want them to do step-by-step. So they don’t have to think about anything. They follow the ‘best way’ to undertake the work (a tried and tested method with predictable results)....

On weekends, I often observe myself rushing through too many things. I seldom find a calm and slow weekend. Partly, it is due to the young family commitments. However, I reckon the main reason is my lack of focus. For instance: not knowing the end goal and what...

We learn from our parents not so much what they preach but what they do. If we really want to follow and learn from a leader we admire. Merely following their preaching is not sufficient. We must also thoroughly observe their lives in light of their teachings. For...

We are so used to average that we often assume it is all we have. For example, waiting long on the customer service call, projects that never properly start or end, and average quality products. There is no reason to settle on average, however. Once we taste good and...

There are two types of players. The one who plays to win. The others play to play. The players who play to win have set targets. Their happiness and satisfaction depend on meeting their selected goals. They are serious about the game and focus on winning. They learn,...

The quality of our decisions is directly proportional to the quality of the questions we ask before making our decisions. For example, if the host asks us, would you like a Coke or juice? We may ask: Thanks. Do you have other drinks in the fridge? Or, I am dieting. Is...

I can have a varied level of success, but I can’t have a varied level of winning. Winning is absolute. Either I win or I don’t. I may do all the right things, miss on a little thing, and not win. Getting an agreement, signatures on a proposal, and approval on a...

I am tired because I may have worked too hard. At least, this is likely to be my excuse. The reality could be that I have worked too long. There is a subtle but profound difference between working hard and working long. Working hard is not a factor of time. Instead,...

It is always good to introspect why we do certain things. For example, why do we celebrate specific festivals or special events, and what is the reasoning behind a few rituals? This introspection helps us understand why we do certain things instead of mindlessly...

Access to fancy food, alcohol, tobacco, relationships with influential people, material possessions, personal traits, and numerous other dimensions that feed our pride can be a slow poison to our social, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. In the glory of...

Many of us tell ourselves that we are not complete. We fill our emptiness by hoarding stuff, acquiring professional certificates, and running away from ourselves. In transforming into someone else, we often ignore who we are. We get so carried away by wanting to...

We may pretend to follow a logical enterprise software (ERP/CRM) selection process. The reality is that emotions, gut feelings, and individual preferences drive our decisions. The sales teams know it quite well. You and others in the selection process are under their...

Teachers, parents, managers, and leaders often have a choice. Some of us choose to please, and others choose to lead. The ones who please tend to look at themselves. They may want to please others to avoid conflict, difficult situations, or even hard work. The ones...

How can I become a leader that everyone respects? How can I gain the trust and endorsement of my teammates? Which words should I say that attract people around me? How should I present myself as a leader? There may be many other similar questions we have about...

During enterprise software (ERP/CRM) selection, we often bog down in comparing software products. We compare their features and costs, and we assess their value for money. Here, it is essential to note that the product comparison is just one aspect. Along with this,...

Imagine a busy doctor who prescribes medication with a minimal diagnosis. He confidently makes decisions with gut feelings and random guesses. Does that sound dangerous and awkward? Well, this is precisely what many of us do daily in executive meetings and board...

I may be the most famous singer. It does not necessarily imply that I am the best singer. I may be more popular among the larger population than other singers. My fans are unlikely to be all music critics. So, my popularity does not always equate to my skills. There...

We are stepping into a world where software writes for us. We just provide a brief. When we circulate the document, the reviewers may feed it to the software with a brief to review and provide feedback. At every step, such software will actively assist in project...

Let us talk about amateurs and experts! Most amateurs can tell what to do to get from A to B. However, the experts understand us (as their customers). Then, illustrate the customised plan, monitor us on the way, give us plenty of options, and lead us to our...

What is common among Panadol, Amazon, Nescafe pod coffee machines, and McDonald's? All of them are extremely user-friendly, consistently deliver the same experience, and are relatively cheaper. This could be the exact reason for their popularity and success. For the...

You and I can work on the same thing, but with a very different approach. Our approach can depend on our previous experience, education, background, and various other factors. In my experience, the key differentiator in the approach is our motive behind undertaking...

We are all blind. As a result, we cannot see simple things that are pretty obvious to others. Our blindness can be due to multiple reasons. Our blindness can be due to excessive consumption of food, alcohol, and drugs, which hinder our focus. We cannot see how much...

Sometimes, I don’t stand up for myself. I let go of things because I don’t think they are that important. I tend to be flexible and adjust so we can move on with life. I may even bear insults just to avoid conflict. I may not make material decisions to prevent...

It is possible that, despite my best efforts, I remain unsuccessful. There can be many hypotheses to explain this. For example, I may be ahead of my time. I am at the wrong place and at the wrong time. I am too unique, or I am too unlucky. Irrespective of any such...

I do not get strong by consuming high-quality food. My body's strength depends on how efficiently I utilise the energy source. So, how well I exercise, rest, sleep, and eat determines my strength. Similarly, merely consuming more information does not make my business...

I may take pride in my work. I may have high standards, too. I may be working hard and putting in long hours. As a leader, it is who I am. However, I may lose credibility and respect by expecting my team to live up to my standards. My leadership should help my team...

On the surface, it makes sense to have repeatable processes. So, we all follow the same process. There is limited confusion and very little communication overhead. Yes, it makes sense. However, standardisation has its tradeoffs. Mindlessly following the same process...

There is a big difference between vendors selling solutions and those understanding the problem before formulating the solution. The former focuses on how I can convince you that my solution will solve your problem. The latter focuses on understanding the problem...

As customers, we deserve to have options. Perhaps there are options with pros and cons. As B2B decision makers, we must do our due diligence before making decisions. Vendors may push us to decide on the only option they provide. They may manipulate options so that we...

The whole journey of leadership is to make ourselves redundant. Leadership is about enabling our people to take ownership of the tasks we have been performing (delegation). It is about developing new capabilities (automation and training). Leadership is about holding...

As adults, we assume that we know it all. We do not receive direct feedback like kids do. Even if someone provides feedback, we will likely deflect rather than accept it. We do not necessarily grow in our learning with age. Instead, we develop rigidity and...

A conscious decision—"I do not need more!"—can be very liberating. Often, I find myself stretched thin, pursuing too many things. They can be material things, health goals, business, improvements and many other dimensions of life. With limited resources, seeking more...

A Project plan often gives the impression that we know the steps we will take to achieve the given outcome. In practice, a Project plan is merely a logical sequence of tasks. It does not imply that we know all the tasks that the project team needs to execute. Further,...

Any substantial change is full of risks. If things go pear-shaped, an executive is ultimately accountable. However, if things go well, you will likely give credit to the transformation team. So, if you plan to sponsor or lead a transformation within your organisation,...

What is the one thing that has the potential to fundamentally transform us? In my experience, it is our environment. I operate very differently, working from home, in a client office, or in my own office. The environment affects my mood, motivation, and even the style...

Perhaps the first question we should ask before doing anything is: Why am I doing it? With repetition, we stop to think about why we are even doing specific tasks. Likely, we do not need 200 reports; maybe half of the month-end processes are unnecessary, and we may...

"Life is short; I want to be at the top of the ladder before I am 40." "Acceptance is blissful. I need to practice accepting life as it happens." "Life is uncertain; my family is my priority." "Money is not everything. I will live for passion, not money." "I will be a...

Our final destination is the same: death. Only our journeys and milestones are different, however. Even with them, we have minimal control. The questions are: What do we want our journeys to be? What are our expectations from the milestones? What are we prepared to...

I need to put in more hours to deliver the pending work. Vs I need to find a way to outsource the pending work. In the first statement, I am pressured to complete the work. And I am a constraint. However, according to the second statement, I will find a resource....

Our current situation is due to our environment and the decisions we choose to make. For instance, I may have been born into a wealthy family. My environment may have taught me the importance of wealth. My decisions continue to support me in acquiring more wealth....

The first thing is to establish if someone has already resolved this problem. If the answer is yes, we just need to reach out to others who have already solved it. Even paying them to learn about the solutions makes sense. We frequently view complex business issues as...

Often, we make broad judgements and label people with GOAT (Greatest of All Times) titles. In my view, we cannot make a reasonable comparison across time. With time, way too many variables change. Therefore, how can we compare and logically give someone a GOAT title?...

In a battle, actual fighting is a relatively small component of the overall initiative. Many things outside of direct engagement with the enemy may decide the win or loss. Similarly, implementing technology projects is a small component of the overall Digital...

I have often benefited from what I didn’t have. For instance: I am not a very quick learner. This problem helped me work hard and take time to learn things at my own pace. It also helped me to reflect on a deeper perspective. I always wanted to be a tall guy. Research...

"I know my stuff. I put much effort into my work. My quality standards are pretty high. I go beyond my role's expectations to ensure the project's success." All of the above is well and good until I do not compare and belittle others. My hard work does not give me the...

These are common complaints about Business software. Senior stakeholders often use these exact objections against investing in technology. "In my previous organisation, we spent too much money on the ERP, and no one used the system." "It takes too long to enter...

Customers often ask how long it takes to transform the organisation. So, we have all these projects; how long would it take us to deliver? The truth is that no one knows precisely. Anyone can make a rough guess with a ton of assumptions. Further, any estimates require...

A few thoughts on the journey of life, goals, and destinations! The best way to ruin your journey is by impatiently waiting for your destination. The perfect way to be alone is by making life of fellow travellers difficult. The final destination is death. Any goals in...

We may want to think that we have control over our lives. However, the reality could be different. We are being controlled by: Our genes Wiring on our brain and decision-making Hormones Habits Conforming to social norms Human Psychology Our unique way of viewing and...

A problem can have multiple viable solutions. It is often easier to solve a known problem with the familiar methods. However, people with an open mindset are also curious to find other ways. They qualify multiple approaches and make an informed decision with the best...

Imagine I get my house painted, upgrade my car, and get the garden cleaned every five years. However, I do not do any improvements or maintenance work. I am too busy, so when things break, I must seek immediate help to restore them. Now, think of the pathetic...

Sometimes, I find the task ahead of me challenging. I don’t know where to start or what to do. Other times, the environment does not support the planned task. In such situations, I have been able to complete the tasks because of the discipline of taking the next step....

On the way back home, I noticed a massive signboard. It was about the Ford Ranger EV (Plugin) coming soon in 2025. I find it quite strange. Does Ford tell us not to buy their current Ranger model? Are they delaying the demand? I am not sure what their message is up to...

For most things in my life, the problem is not that I don’t know what to do. The challenge is to develop the discipline to do what needs to be done. I constantly fight with myself not to waste time chasing new information. The struggles are not to distract myself from...

A cup of coffee can range from $1 to $1500. Well, the upper range can be much more. If we make our own coffee, we may go with instant coffee, barista, or pod. Our choices depend on what we value. Do we value taste, money, time, or maybe an ego boost? There is value in...

Sometimes, we feel that things are getting out of control. We encourage others to follow and learn from our experiences but are unable to motivate them. These are the people we care about. So, we do not want them to fail or suffer. We try to explain in different ways,...

Most significant problems are big, not because their solutions are complex. Instead, we make them big because of our inaction. Solving problems like putting on weight, wasting time, and procrastinating is relatively straightforward. The solutions are simple, but I...

To see a perfect example of a well-executed project, observe how experienced professionals conduct surgery. Here are a few observations: Completing the surgery on time is the utmost priority. So, for the surgery staff, sticking to scheduled tasks is critical. They...

It takes too long to get anything done in this organisation. Vs I wonder why it takes too long to get anything done in this organisation. The apple fell to the ground from the tree. Vs Why did the apple fall to the ground? Our business systems are too convoluted. They...

Fire drills are necessary. It helps employees to prepare for any future emergencies. However, employees know that it is only a test. So, there is no stress. They take their time, move around chatting and march slowly to an assembly area. Putting policies aside, to...

In the early years of my career, I had my eyes on performing at the centre of the stage. Where others can see me, I can feel special. With little experience, I only got roles to perform on a side stage. The roles were relatively insignificant. Performing those roles,...

The change is constant. The question is whether it will be in our favour or not. In other words, if the change will support or hinder our development. It depends on our influence over the change. Are we actively driving the change, or is the change happening to us?...

The success of any initiative depends on its preparation. The work we have done before starting the initiative matters most. For example, in preparation activities, we may be developing clarity on the scope and outcomes of the initiative, recruiting the right people,...

In business, we undertake three types of work: BAU: Business as Usual is the work we do day in and day out. This work may take most of our time, generating predictable value. For example, as a Sales Manager, working on Sales calls and developing a Sales strategy is...

Without a doubt, practice leads us to perfection, but at what cost? The price of perfection could be our time, resources, or opportunity costs. In business and life, we have limited resources. We do not need perfection for everything. Further, mere practice may not be...

We all are on a certain spectrum, and busy judging other's spectrum.

There are various ways to check the maturity of the business in utilising technology. Please refer to the following hierarchy to determine your own business progression level. Business Progression Levels Level 16: Do everything to keep your position Level 15: Build...

In self-reflection, I often acknowledge that I haven't come too far. On introspection, I often realise it is due to focusing on the small stuff. Observing others, I witnessed their conditioning: 'sweating on the small stuff'. We often have a choice about where to...

We may be playing the same game but with very different intentions. We may be playing for fun, money, legacy, or other reasons. It is our intention that makes all the difference, however. The person playing for legacy may put in everything for the sport. The person...

We can continue to have scarce resources, limited skill sets, and weak plans. But our commitment is going to make all the difference. When we are committed, we find new ways to progress, persevere, and continue working hard. When the odds are against us, we still...

When the stakes are high, it is often difficult to make decisions. As a decision-maker, you may be pushed to make decisions. For example, Portfolio Management requests to prioritise projects among planned initiatives. You may feel that you don't have enough...

Resource constraints are one of the most common business constraints. We cannot allocate resources for all projects within any organisation at once. So, if we have multiple projects, how do we decide which projects to execute first? Generally, we have a good idea of...

Leading change initiatives (technology, culture, and process improvement) is challenging. It is challenging for many reasons. The main one is that our enemy 'Status quo' is very strong. For instance, the 'Status quo': Provides comfort to the staff. So, if nothing is...

We know that consistency is the key to greatness. For instance: Consistently eating quality food is a key to excellent health. Consistently lifting weights makes us strong. Consistently working hard brings success. The same principle applies to Business improvement....

Why are organisations stuck with manual information processing? Why do employees copy and paste information into multiple spreadsheets, manipulate data, and handwrite forms? Even if the company has Business systems, why do employees not fully utilise them? Instead,...

Life is not simple! The opportunity ahead of us could be a pitfall. The major source of our pain can be transformative endeavour. For example, if a new opportunity pays me more but takes me away from my core strengths, it could be a pitfall. Similarly, my constant...

I haven’t come across many organisations with fully functional Business Systems. For the majority of organisations, the Business systems are always a mess! For example, organisations suffer from underutilisation of the Business systems. The Business systems do not...

In business, we use many different types of software. Each piece of software has a specific purpose. There are often common capabilities among enterprise software. For example, we can record timesheets in the ERP and HR systems. Similarly, we can manage documentation...

Digital Transformation initiatives are challenging. We often find it too hard to fight against the Status quo. In the transformation game, various players play to win over the Status quo. However, the current state of the business often gives adamant resistance to the...

To win in the digital transformation game, we must know the different sets of players and understand whom we are playing against. In the digital transformation initiatives, the following are the key players: Leadership team Customer Project Team (Subject Matter...

Symptoms keep us so busy that we never get to the root cause. Organisations invest time and effort in assessing various problems. However, what they consider problems are generally symptoms of the problem. It is typical of organisations to continue investigating...

In the software world, we have a common problem with changing requirements. For example, as a customer (Product owner/Subject Matter expert), I state a requirement to develop a customer feedback feature. After I reviewed the feature, I changed my mind and asked to...

Sometimes, the side effects outweigh the primary impact. The problem is that we cannot see this phenomenon due to our various biases. But once we can see it, we cannot miss it! For example, the benefit of sending an employee on a training course is not just that she...

Why some businesses are so efficient, and others suffer from low productivity? It is a difficult question to answer, as there can be various reasons. However, the productivity of any business is directly proportional to 'what is at stake?' Is it the executive's job,...

The problem is that I do not value my time enough. I am selling it too short. Sometimes, in meetings where I should not be. Other times, I feel stuck making perfect decisions while scrolling through YouTube and Netflix. Charging customers by the hour. Accepting work...

We have minimum criteria for most things, but there is mostly no limit to the maximum. Limitations on the maximum are our own. Sometimes, that is the only thing that limits us. For example, we may have a minimum wage, but there is likely no limit to our maximum...

Often, we jump on the solutions. The new solutions, in turn, create more problems for us. For example, suppose we have weak sales capabilities. In that case, we may jump to a solution to implement new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. Similarly, we may...

Not every problem is worth solving. If someone has a solution to the problem we are solving, then adopting and adapting to the solution may be a sensible approach. After all, what is the value of reinventing the wheel? Even if we want to claim our wheel is better than...

When we collaborate, we win. When we argue, we lose! It is common sense, but it is also uncommon too. In my experience, to collaborate, we must like other team members. When we like others, we hear more deeply. Even if we disagree, we acknowledge where we agree first....

Have you ever felt that you put in a lot of effort but got little return? You may think that nothing is working the way you expect. Things look complex and ambiguous. It is like fighting hard in the dark. For example, the business is not growing as planned, the...

Transformation is a radical change. Change does not happen without people. However, we know it is challenging to lead change in the organisation. The complexity increases with the number of employees, capacity, capability, management structure, autonomy, and other...

We are unlikely to bother if we know we can get away with it. Whether they are traffic rules, safety equipment, or general cleanliness. We are lazy by design. We are likely to skip if we know we can get away with not doing something. Knowing this dynamic, it is the...

The quality of my interstate family trip is highly dependent on the preparation of the trip. Similarly, the success of winning on the battlefield is highly reliant on its preparation. Before embarking on any significant change, it is vital to prepare for the change...

In my life, many things fit in the category of – what I don’t know, is what I don’t know. However, there are many things that I know I need to learn, change and adapt, but I am lazy to take action. When I compare myself with a year old of myself, I conclude how naive...

Opportunities are endless. However, we don’t see them equally. Few of us see an opportunity in solving big problems; others may see it in bypassing them. Few see opportunity in forcing our way through; others may see it in developing consensus. Few see an opportunity...

Customers are so impatient that it drives me crazy. Customers are impatient. We need to do a better job of managing their expectations. ------ Employees show no interest in business improvement. We are not getting anywhere. Employees show no interest in business...

Three woodcutters were engaged to cut trees within five days. The owner of the block decided to allocate each woodcutter a separate piece of land. The landlord agreed to pay them based on number of trees they cut. The first woodcutter worked harder than the other two...

Enterprise Business systems appear to be complex. However, what they do is quite simple. These business systems facilitate the data-capturing process from various collection points—for example, end-user data entry, machine data. They undertake complex calculations...

It is not about what we get; instead, it is about who we become! It is not about losing weight overnight. Instead, it is about learning to be disciplined so we never become overweight. It is not about getting rich by winning the lottery. Instead, it is about learning...

If I teach a group of students, I may get frustrated because they are not making the progress I expect. I may feel it is not worth it. It may seem that I am alone who is pushing for new learning for them. I may label my students as insincere, lazy, or even dumb....

We have a natural inclination and interest in learning certain subjects. However, our teacher can drastically change our interests. For example, I may hate history, but I may develop a genuine interest in learning because my history teacher helps me to relate to it....

Not all problems need solutions. They are simply not worth solving. So, it is best to leave them alone, and they may go away. We must manage a few risks proactively before they become issues or problems. So, we must watch them like a hawk and get them sorted. Few...

We like to be more busy than effective. Ask anyone in the business - how things are. The standard response is “Busy”! Pretending to be busy is like a status symbol. However, merely being busy does not mean much. We may well be busy digging holes and filling them. What...

Our brains are designed to make quick judgements. Among the group of people, a person with grey hair, a nice suit, and a fancy title on his business card may appear as an important person. At the same time, we may ignore a young ordinary-looking guy. We don't know who...

In human interaction, we project who we are at that specific time. Suppose I hear you with intention. It may mean I care about your message. Similarly, if I am shouting, it means I am projecting my anger. As long as I am not concealing my real emotions, my...

I am fortunate to experience the different types of managers and their management styles. I respect managers who can roll up their sleeves and do the work they are delegating. They often know precisely the time, potential risks, and unknowns within any process. They...

I may not add much value by doing operational stuff and taking pride in it. Similarly, I can be very productive but ineffective, as I may be undertaking low-value work. Further, I can be very effective in dealing with situations. However, it may not count much as I am...

I am terrible at doing handy work. I am mediocre at best when it comes to spring cleaning our little garden with a few fruit trees. My default position is to do it with minimal time and effort. It should be good enough to meet family expectations. By the way, their...

The following dimensions may help to develop a strong business case for your project:

During business process mapping, we identify various issues in the process. These issues can be due to bottlenecks, business systems limitations, or lack of training. Many times the Business stakeholders know the solutions to the issues too. As a few of the solutions...

Most prefer taking Panadol over resting and eating well. Often, it is too tempting to fire the employee we dislike rather than adapt according to their style. Similarly, we tend to spend money on marketing the average product rather than refining the product. Quick...

It is painful to acknowledge a small project getting out of hand. I have made this mistake a few times. I underestimated the grief a small little project can cause. The lesson learnt is to manage a small project respectfully and develop a light methodology to manage...

Should you have one software to manage all the processes within your business? Imagine one enterprise-wide software used by your Finance team, Inventory, HR, and all the other departments. The other option is that you have specialist software for every department....

The success of any journey depends on its preparation. The Digital Transformation journey is no different. One critical preparation area is freeing time for the senior managers (C-suite, General Managers, Department heads) so they can take an active role in...

I have come across Businesses in an extreme deadlock position. The organisation may have been in its comfort zone for years. They do not invest in technology or actively seek to enhance processes. Most employees eventually feel trapped by traditional business systems....

To make a perfect dish, we need a coordinated effort of planning, preparing and executing the tested recipe. Similarly, to win a game, we need experienced players to put every effort to coordinate and beat the opponent. The project execution is not different from the...

I have come across the following types of organisations: Discussion lovers: They love to talk, gain everyone's perspective, and try to keep everyone involved. The management keeps its people happy. No major disruptive decisions are made, and the organisation continues...

Whenever we find issues and failures within projects, the vendors, ex-Project Manager, and ex-Team Members are likely the culprits. They have a track record of screwing up consistently. They know this and no longer take the blame personally. The mature ones even think...

We will deliver the Statement of Work (SoW) by Monday. However, there can be further delay if we cannot receive the estimates. We can Go-Live as per the plan, assuming there are no further issues. We can hand over the product to the Support team if the Developers...

Business Process Mapping may sound like a good idea. However, note that mapping business processes with the input of internal departments is merely collecting one viewpoint (internal employees). We may miss the viewpoint of our customers, suppliers, regulators,...

In B2B sales, we think we are powerful as customers. The vendor's job is to understand our requirements, problems and offer solutions that fit our needs. The vendors try to develop a good relationship with us and adapt to our priorities and constraints. For instance,...

What is so special about Ford, Tesla, Apple, Dyson, and Open AI? These companies did not ask customers what they needed. Instead, they did hard work and imagined what their customers should have. Whether it is an affordable car, an electric luxury car, iPhone, iTunes,...

The success of our journey depends on how well we have prepared for it. Projects are not different. Projects are a journey to move from existing to the desired state. If we feel projects are painful, it may have to do with our preparation before their start. We may...

In B2B sales, the Sales team’s role is to help us decide. Making an executive decision is a difficult task. So, if someone is facilitating this process, then there is an opportunity for us to show appreciation. After all, the Sales team is helping us decide at almost...

In business and life, making the right decision may not count much. To be successful, we must learn to make the right decisions consistently and efficiently. So, having a refined decision-making process is more important than making the right decision. Things that...

More businesses are likely to fail due to a lack of decisions rather than bad decisions. Projects go south rarely due to bad decisions; they are likely to fail due to executives sitting on the key decisions. Many people live in misery not because they don’t have...

In business and life, we usually know our next step. It could be an investment decision, dealing with business problems or making critical decisions on available opportunities. Generally, we understand what our next step should be. However, calling another meeting,...

Our extraordinary listening skills, ability to lead, strength, courage, ability to persevere, and dedication can be one of many gifts. The point is, what do we do with the gifts that we have received? Most of us compare our gifts with others and either take pride or...

Taking care of someone is our choice. It is not due to our capacity, skill or capability. Instead, it is due to the virtue of the management decision stipulating that – we care! Customer service, employee care or supplier relationships does not happen by accident. Nor...

Yes, software implementations are too complex. During the implementations, we find it hard to articulate requirements. The development work takes too long. It takes ages to test and get it right for the Business. The Business stakeholders keep changing their minds and...

We can solve a problem in a million different ways. The key is understanding the problem's context before jumping straight onto it. For example: What is the problem's scope, constraints, dependencies, pain point, upstream and downstream processes? Who are the...

When I look at someone from a distance, I naturally form opinions and have judgements about them. Over time, when the same person comes close to me, I get an opportunity to learn more about them. It consistently reminds me how wrong my original opinions and judgements...

We can plan to control our actions but not the outcomes of our actions. When we say that we expect to improve the customer experience by 20% with the CRM implementation, it is mere anticipation. We are likely to have little influence over the outcome of the project....

Sometimes it takes a few times to start liking a song. It does not impress us the first time. But we eventually start loving it as we hear it more and more. It may take us some time to start liking a dish. The first few times, we may swallow it. But, eventually, we...

Sometimes we plan, work hard, persevere and still do not see the intended results. Other times, we sit back, relax, and don’t even think about our goals. Suddenly, circumstances change overnight, and our goals appear so attainable. Life has mysterious ways of...

In a business, we may decide to slow down, stop, or take a breath. We must know that while slowing down, the world around us will continue to move ahead. The market growth, technological advancements, and competition continue to move forward and challenge our business...

Walk the talk is difficult! As knowledge is becoming a commodity, talking is becoming easier. For instance, we can read a book, ask Chat GPT, undertake a course, and learn about leadership. Then, we may decide to talk about our newly acquired knowledge. For example,...

Most of us never go underwater wearing our prestigious divers watch. Many will not get onto the basketball court with their favourite Jordans. We may not do any sport on our luxury sports sedan. These are all marketing hooks, so we spend money and feel special. They...

When I see myself on the top, all others appear small and feeble. And, when I see myself with humility, all others seem to be part of me. When I see the fulfilment in achieving the goal, the journey tends to suck. And, when I see the fulfilment in making progress, I...

Do you ever wonder what is the difference between an artist and a leader? An artist is the one who creates art. He may have made pieces of art one or multiple times. We still refer to the creator of art as an artist. However, to be a leader, we must have to lead...

Our real values may not be what we publicise on our website, flyers and posters. Our real values are a reflection of our current state of business. For example, the high employee turnover, manual processes, lack of a safe environment, and non-compliance notices from...

Without a doubt, our day-to-day work (Business as usual – BAU) is keeping us busy. Any initiative that will make a real difference in our business is likely to be on our back burner. Why? Because we can say to ourselves and our stakeholders that we are busy. BAU work...

There is always a better way of doing things. It may be automating and streamlining business processes, improving system integrations, or improving decision-making with business intelligence. There is no limit to improvement. The problem is that we get so used to the...

Are you wondering if you should engage a consultant to assist in the selection of enterprise software (ERP, HCM, Asset Management, CRM)? You may be wondering what value they may offer. You may be considering getting someone from your organisation to select the...

Problem 1: I am overweight. Solution 1: I started taking weight loss products. Problem 2: My weight is decreasing, but I feel constipated and dull. Solution 2: I started taking fibre supplements and drinking black coffee to stimulate my brain. Problem 3: Drinking...

Sometimes the thing we are looking for so desperately is in our hands. Often, things are right before us, but we cannot see. Similarly, solutions to our problems are so obvious, yet it takes too long to realise. In all these situations, one thing that always helps is...

Let us not limit our thinking by assuming that vandalism is constrained to damaging private and public property. Vandalism, at its core, is a deliberate act of damaging assets. The assets can be software assets, technology, or even process and procedures. Suppose the...

Imagine a world without nappies, GPS navigation, or even a microwave. These innovations have become such an integral part of our lives. Yet, for centuries, humanity has prospered without them. A few years from now, self-driving cars, robotic servants and drone...

One of the easiest ways to kill continuous improvement is by asking our team – Don’t give me problems; give me solutions. Some are wired to find problems, while others are skilled in developing innovative solutions. So, often it is counterproductive to expect our team...

Leadership is not about taking pride in fan following or the size of our team. Sometimes leaders decide to march alone. Their purpose can be more significant than themselves. So, they put everything into the cause they are serving. They stand strong to fight for their...

Revenue, number of offices and headcount - is just one way to measure the significance of the business. Unfortunately, it is one of the most common ways. The significance of business is multi-dimensional. It could be its purpose, social impact, employee experience,...

We often make decisions based on emotions and justify them logically. But what can we do about emotional decision bias? Consider formally reviewing and refining decisions with a fresh perspective, new data and experience. Consider the following examples: In the...

Change management can be a misleading term. Often we have limited influence over change. Hence, we can not often manage the change. Instead, we can predict potential changes and prepare for them. We can strategise and prepare to adapt to the change. We can plan to...

Managing a team needs our valuable effort, time and resources. It is much more efficient to direct them (rather managing them). However, it is possible only if we know enough about our people. Precisely, their strengths, weaknesses, dreams, aspirations, drive and...

Many brilliant products have failed because they were released at the wrong time. They could be decades ahead of their time.Many decisions are never made because the seeker approaches the decision-makers at an inappropriate time.Many investment decisions fail simply...

If I want to transform into a marathon runner, I must first make a committed decision and start to develop a belief system of a marathon runner. My beliefs will guide my daily decisions and my decisions will help me to develop new habits. Out of new habits and...

In technology initiatives, the vendors have numerous motivations to complicate simple things. The greater the complexity, the more professional service hours are necessary to finish the work. Adding to the professional service's bottom line. Further, more software...

The great idea I had three months ago, may well be quite stupid today. The methodology that worked for ten projects before, may not work in the current project. The perfect plan I formulated a week ago, may well be all wrong today. We may like to think that we are...

Digital Transformation is a long marathon. Let us not exhaust everyone by continuously running and stressing. People are likely to burn out midway through the initiative. Plan for it as a marathon where the specialist teams get together to offer a joint coordinated...

We love to have ‘more’ - bigger, better, unique and special. In business and personal lives, we are on a constant hunt for more. For example, bigger houses, more profit, more employees, more customers and so on. There is nothing wrong with finding more, but there is...

Winning is great! We all play, work, and perform to win. We work hard, learn things we hate, and persevere to win. Yet, we hear the importance of failure. And not the significance of winning! We hear that failure is a great teacher. Our failures teach us what didn’t...

We all need attention from someone we value or care about. From toddlers to the elderly, seeking attention is one of our basic needs. We love to demonstrate our effort, expertise, courage, commitment or any other qualities. It is human nature to seek validation,...

Sometimes we feel stuck. As our next step appears to be a big jump. We think there is a risk. We feel overwhelmed and confused. Hence, we often make no decision and make no progress. In business and personal life, we experience such situations. For example, investing...

Things that worked for us yesterday and made us successful may not work today. Our old tricks to optimise operations and save costs may not be relevant today. The perks and incentives which were special before may have become a norm today. The point is that there is...

One of the biggest challenges I encounter is to stop thinking about myself. To get me out of my mind and focus on others around me. However, whenever I can give quality time to others, I feel liberated. By quality time, I mean listening with genuine interest and...

For a few teams, everything is too difficult. Most tasks are complex and full of risks. Projects take too long. Most meetings end up with more meetings but no concrete outcomes. The team members want to protect themselves from vulnerabilities. Everything appears to...

Life is a journey, we must keep going. or, We must practice mindfulness to live our life the fullest. or, When we set goals, we do not rethink, we put everything to achieve them! Advice like the above is going to be very shallow, useless and possibly frustrating for...

There is a common misconception that managing change is the job of a Change Manager. Change is constant. Slow or fast, there is a constant change within our environment. Our external influencers (economy, technology, competition, customer priorities), and internal...

In our daily lives, we frequently enjoy accumulating more stuff. The bigger, better, latest, fancier, and trendier, the better. Similarly, we frequently seek to expand our influence and power. We're putting in time and effort to fulfil new desires. It appears we are...

Why is it so difficult for us to actively listen?Why don't many of us make an attempt to speak effectively? For example, we do not think before speaking. Likewise, we do not create intellectual narratives. We do not communicate intentionally, altering tone, volume,...

Private corner offices, fancy job titles, and people vying for our attention are all indicators of power and influence. They frequently boost our egos while hurting others' egos.Leadership is a reflection of our character, not a position or status.There must be a...

What do luxury watches, purses, and automobiles have in common?They are significantly more expensive. They may not be widely available, which adds to their rarity. Their possession inflates our ego since they indicate wealth, elite status, and position.There is a...

Most common things are assumed to be commonly available. However, common sense is an exception. Common sense is uncommon! If we observe ourselves closely, without thinking, we repeat our past patterns, habits and approaches. We tend to do things the way we have always...

Band-aid remedies make sense!They are a fast fix, allowing us to move on and focus on more serious matters.They are inexpensive, so we can save and invest elsewhere.We don't need to wait for a professional, either.The issue arises when we do not know where the...

Refer to the generic business reference model for a holistic view of any organisation. Use the reference model to gain a big-picture understanding of your business.

Types Of Requirements! 61+ and counting....

Meetings are frequently regarded as a waste of time within organisations. There have been numerous strategies and tips for shortening meetings. We've been working hard to keep meeting times to a minimum. As a result, various tactics, such as stand-ups and planks, are...

Women have long been denied their fundamental rights. Sati pratha was widely practised in India for a long time. Similarly, apartheid was widely practised as a legal principle.Various parts of the community struggled for their rights over time, shedding blood, tears,...

If we cannot recognise good qualities and strengths in others (people, organisations, or communities), it is merely a manifestation of our own emptiness.

As a contractor, completing a six-month project in three months may result in a pat on the back and a notice of premature contract completion. On the other hand, if I complicate matters, I may be given the option to extend my contract.My profile as a project manager...

The true essence of transformation: Transformation is the planned and coordinated move from our current state to our desired new state. Organisations, things, and people are always changing, but not always transforming. Transformation is a deliberate effort that takes...

Why wait until the end of the project to communicate the lessons learned? Every day, lessons are being learned. Why not add five minutes to the end of recurring meetings to share and discuss lessons learned?Furthermore, knowing something is not the same as learning...

The world around us is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Workplace culture, ethics, and methods of operation are continually evolving. As a result of technological breakthroughs, the landscape of our working lives is shifting. In the midst of such huge disruption,...

When God creates us, he quietly says to our ears, "I have not created anyone else like you; you are special."One of my friends told another friend about it to help him overcome ego and pride issues. Most of us are wired to believe that we are unique, we are smarter,...

There are likely valid explanations for where we are presently. We might desire to advance, expand, and win more. However, we are more likely to stay where we are until we acknowledge the factors that are holding us back and take consistent action to unleash our...

Our activities, ambitions, plans, and motives are all centred on the fulfilment of our hopes.

A man who knows nothing about music can tell when a musician has messed up. Toddlers can sense when their parents are not in a good mood. Our visage is, in fact, an indication of our mentality.When we make mistakes as leaders, our natural impulse is to hide, deflect,...

Disease, confusion, lethargy, and other negative forces are continually working to make our bodies, societies, and organisations weaker and dysfunctional, only to push us backwards.We will automatically regress if we do not consistently push forwards with positive...

Consider your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system making suggestions for Sales and Marketing strategy. The CRM assessed your sales data over the previous ten years, as well as publicly available data on consumer purchase tendencies, competitor products,...

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