Strategies for the Workplace

Categorizing Without Creating a Quagmire

Categorization comes up often and you need a method for managing the sorting.  In general, the more effective and consistently applied the technique, the more smoothly each categorization process will run, and the more readily the organization will accept the results.

Decision Trees

A decision tree is a diagramming tool that aids in making decisions.  Generally, the tree begins at a single point from which you must choose among a small number of options.  Often, this point is a question that you answer ‘yes’, or ‘no’.  Answering ‘yes’, leads down one path, ‘no’ another, each path leading to its own new juncture.  After several choices, you find yourself at some end point.  Overall, the branching pattern and many possible paths may make the diagram resemble a tree.

Mean, Median, and Mode

The mean or average of a set of values is the result of adding up all the values and dividing by the number of values.  The mean is particularly handy when values are about as likely to fall above as below the average, such as peoples’ heights or the average transaction amount at a retailer or service wait times.  The mode is the most frequent value in some set.  Using mode makes sense when items are discrete things and not mathematical quantities.  

Assessing a Potential Partnership

Organizations can grow organically by investing proceeds into new facilities, equipment, people, etc.  Another growth strategy is to partner with another company or institution for mutual benefit.  Before embarking on a partnership, you should evaluate candidates carefully.

Event Planning

One way to think of the scope of a conference is on a continuum.   Let’s think about this range through the example of a simple get-together and a wedding.  At the easy end is, say, a modest party at your home.  You need to worry about getting the word out, food, selecting music, and maybe arranging some games.  Much more complicated is a wedding, where you may have to rent a venue that you must book in advance, there are invitations to print, a band to vet and book, a complex guest list to curate, seating arrangements to plan, an official to schedule, a photographer to select, a bar tender, drinks, and caterer to secure, wedding party outfits to purchase, a rehearsal dinner to plan, and importantly, a budget to work within.

The High '2'

It is easy to give out good news, hard to give out bad news.  Alas, for managers, disappointing some people on your team is almost always part of the job, and you will have to find a style that works for you.

Conway's Law

Common challenges and regular communication within an organizational subgroup will tend to cause the overall organization’s structure to subdivide by subgroup.  At a minimum, recognize it.  If it is not what you want, you will have an uphill battle to overcome the tendency.

Merger and Acquisition

In any transaction, you want the right offering, at the right time, at the right price.  If you don’t have all three, don’t proceed.

Non-Disclosure Agreements

In general, one party (or both in the mutual form) agrees that certain information is valuable to the other party and should not be disclosed.

Best Practices for Meetings

Business meetings are a tool and, as with any tool, to get maximum efficiency and effectiveness, you need good technique.