A better way maybe is a slower way

Charles Kovess in his latest newsletter, which is reproduced below challenges us to think about finding a better way rather than staying in a rut, and being willing to venture out of our comfort zone. Others might argue if it isn’t broke, why try and fix it?

I think the better way is often masked by a reluctance to proceed at what seems at first to be the slowest possible route. By researching a problem and thinking about a future path, we can discover better ways to proceed, rather than rushing ahead with the first thoughts that comes to mind and simply repeating what we did the past.Imagine however the reaction from clients if we billed out chargeable hours under the headings of thinking time, research, planning a work path and actual hours spent doing the work. Yet it’s all work and the thinking, planning and research determine the quality of the final output.Coming up with uncosted or untested concepts is generally frowned upon in business, but concepts have led to some of the greatest changes ever seen in our world.

It’s interesting to reflect that Einstein’s theory of relativity was just a concept to him at first and he needed the help of his friend, more skilled in mathematics to undertake the detailed calculations that validated his brilliant theory.

I think a better way for organizations is to actively encourage new ideas and concepts and use others who are partners to the concepts but more skilled in the detailed costing. Currently theses roles are often seen as adversarial or a role of a policeman to ensure projects return desired returns. Ultimately however you can’t be certain of anything, and sometimes to grow you have to also allow for some mistakes.

Dear Lindsay

A Passion Point to Ponder 28 September 2005.
Welcome to the 9th Passion Point for 2005.
Our goal this year with these Passion Points is to provoke you so that your business, and the rest of your life, becomes filled with more passion, performance, and improved balance of mental, physical, and spiritual elements.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

WE ARE MOVING OUR OFFICES. PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RECORDS.

We are delighted to announce a move to new premises from Monday 3 October: 17 Notre Dame Parade, Mulgrave Vic 3170.
Our phone number changes to (03) 9562 2248, but of course mobile phone number does not change.

Our post office box also DOES NOT CHANGE, but remains as PO Box 1412 Central Park, East Malvern Vic 3145.

MAN'S INNER JOURNEY: A GREAT PROGRAMI attended a great weekend seminar entitled 'Man's Inner Journey' in July 2005. It's excellent. It's being repeated in Melbourne on 28 & 29 October. Details are below. "IS THERE AN EVEN BETTER WAY?" Glenn M Renwick, the Chief Executive of US insurerProgressive Corp. recently said "When you stop evolving, you've got a real problem." Wise words that apply to us, as well as corporations. The world challenges us to change, to evolve and become better than we are. Renwick added "We're always asking 'Is there an even better way?'" The answers led Progressive Corp. to the number 1 spot in the 2004 Business Week 50--a ranking of the best performing companies, based on a 10 part formula, in the Standard & Poors 500.

"Is there an even better way?" That question applies to us also. Sometimes we stick to old ways, not because they are best, but often because we arecomfortable with them. Comfort can be more than azone, it can also be an attitude.

The Business Week 50 tends to be a growth list that, generally, outperforms the market in growth periods, but lags when the market is in recession. Growth has many dimensions, but companies on the 2004 Business Week 50 list showed, not only a growth attitude and entrepreneurial spirit, but also a customer focus ahead of their rivals.Attitude, growth, spirit, customer focus, are allthings we can practise every day. "Is there an evenbetter way?" is a daily question we can all askourselves. Our answers and efforts might not take us to the top of any list but our own--and that's not a bad place to start.

QUOTES TO CONSIDER

"What is the most rigorous law of our being? Growth."Mark Twain (1835-1910), American author.

What law do you obey, the one of growth or slow decay?"Growth is the only evidence of life." John HenryNewman (1801-1890), English Cardinal.

What lives most throughout your day, a self that grows or goes away?

To your ongoing development of your passionate performance.
Charles Kovess Australia's Passion Provocateur © Copyright- Charles B. Kovess & David J. Wood of Passionate Performance. Republication welcome provided authors are acknowledged & advised at above address. If you want to see Charles on video, or listen to audio, just go to www.kovess.com and follow the links for a list of keynote speech topics that Charles would love to deliver in a passionate, entertaining, provocative, and educational way to your teams, clients, or prospects, at breakfast, lunch or dinner, see below.

All 135 published Passion Points to Ponder are on our website. If you wish to review them, please visit the site. If you wish to receive a list of the 135 titles of the Passion Points please let us know.

MAN'S INNER JOURNEYFor Men: How often do you invest in YOU?Commence the journey from your head, to your heart. Discover the tools to improve the way your life works! The Man's Inner Journey Seminar is designed specifically for Men. The workshop offers you a practical blend of information and experience for you to develop insights into the beliefs, attitudes, influences and patterns ofbehaviour that impact (positively and/or negatively) on the quality of your life outcomes. The workshop offers you the tools to change and develop.

The next Man's Inner Journey workshop is on October 29/30 9AM-6PM in Melbourne.For more information visit the website www.mansinnerjourney.com

KEY NOTE SPEECH TOPICS1 PASSIONATE PERFORMANCE: YOUR KEYS TO MENTAL, PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL WELLBEING IN BUSINESS. 2 THE POWER OF VISIONARY LEADERSHIP3 THE 7 KEY STEPS TO CREATE OUTSTANDING TEAMS.4 HOW TO RETAIN THE BEST PEOPLE IN YOUR ORGANISATION.5 PASSION: THE KEY TO YOUR SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE 21ST CENTURY.6 HIGH PERFORMANCE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP IN THE KNOWLEDGE AGE.7 CHANGE: MAKE IT AN INSPIRATIONAL GAME!8 A PASSION FOR LIFE, AND LIVING IT!9 KEY PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.10 7 STRATEGIES THAT GUARANTEE LOYALTY FROM EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS.