{"id":727,"date":"2015-10-23T11:48:17","date_gmt":"2015-10-23T15:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/?p=727"},"modified":"2015-10-23T11:48:17","modified_gmt":"2015-10-23T15:48:17","slug":"meet-in-the-middle-during-this-last-quarter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/2015\/10\/23\/meet-in-the-middle-during-this-last-quarter\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet in the Middle During this Last Quarter"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"right-content\">\n<div class=\"content-wrap\">\n<h2><strong><span id=\"E106\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">As the year begins to wind down, it<\/span><span id=\"E107\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u2019<\/span><span id=\"E108\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">s a good time to stop, pause<\/span><span id=\"E109\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">,<\/span><span id=\"E110\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> and reflect. How are you doing? Are you meeting or exceeding your<\/span><span id=\"E111\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> company<\/span><span id=\"E112\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u2019<\/span><span id=\"E113\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">s<\/span><span id=\"E114\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> goals<\/span><span id=\"E115\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> and objectives<\/span><span id=\"E116\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">? <\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span id=\"E119\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Sometimes the simple and seemingly mundane modifications or adjustments can provide great change and<\/span><span id=\"E120\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\/<\/span><span id=\"E121\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">or needed momentum. We often think we are too busy doing what we have to do to take the time to do the things we need to do. One of those efforts we need to do is to take stock or inventory of our progress. This is not a call for full<\/span><span id=\"E122\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u2013<\/span><span id=\"E123\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">blown strategic review, yet more of a myopic careful inspection and check in. If we have a plan developed and documented, we will want to match our outcomes to expectations in the now. If not, perhaps it is time to integrate strategic planning calendar into our business. There is time left to recalibrate and tweak what we do day to day<\/span><span id=\"E124\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> \u2014<\/span><span id=\"E125\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> to finish strong.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span id=\"E128\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">As we begin this<\/span><span id=\"E129\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> review<\/span><span id=\"E130\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> process, we want to be sure to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li id=\"E132\" class=\"qowt-li-0_0 qowt-list qowt-stl-ListParagraph\"><span id=\"E133\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Remain open minded\/ teachable<\/span><span id=\"E134\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">. This helps illuminate <\/span><span id=\"E135\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u201c<\/span><span id=\"E136\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">blind spots<\/span><span id=\"E137\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"E138\" class=\"qowt-li-0_0 qowt-list qowt-stl-ListParagraph\"><span id=\"E139\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Inspect what you expect of your team and company<\/span><span id=\"E140\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">.<\/span><span id=\"E141\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"E142\" class=\"qowt-li-0_0 qowt-list qowt-stl-ListParagraph\"><span id=\"E143\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">See where we have succeeded and where we have found delay or failure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"E144\" class=\"qowt-li-0_0 qowt-list qowt-stl-ListParagraph\"><span id=\"E145\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Be inquisitive <\/span><span id=\"E146\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">and ask <\/span><span id=\"E147\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u201c<\/span><span id=\"E148\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">who, what, when, where and why.<\/span><span id=\"E149\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u201d<\/span><span id=\"E150\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> Imagine <\/span><span id=\"E151\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u2014\u00a0\u201d<\/span><span id=\"E152\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">what if<\/span><span id=\"E153\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> <\/span><span id=\"E156\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"E157\" class=\"qowt-li-0_0 qowt-list qowt-stl-ListParagraph\"><span id=\"E158\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Let the numbers speak as they are<\/span><span id=\"E159\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"E161\"><span id=\"E162\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">As we begin<\/span><span id=\"E163\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> our review<\/span><span id=\"E164\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">,<\/span><span id=\"E165\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> it is often times helpful to interview or survey customers both internal and external. How are we doing? What can we do better? <\/span><span id=\"E166\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Simple and b<\/span><span id=\"E167\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">asic insights can go a long way. <\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"E169\"><span id=\"E170\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Be willing to make adjustments and changes that are well thought out.<\/span><span id=\"E171\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> <\/span><span id=\"E172\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">This is not a time to throw out plans and start over from scratch. It is more important to <\/span><span id=\"E173\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u201c<\/span><span id=\"E174\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">listen<\/span><span id=\"E175\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u201d<\/span><span id=\"E176\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> carefully to all of your findings <\/span><span id=\"E177\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u201c<\/span><span id=\"E178\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">as they are<\/span><span id=\"E179\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u201d<\/span><span id=\"E180\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> and find middle ground to act on. Where can you improve efficiencies and increase sales? <\/span><span id=\"E181\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">The old saying, <\/span><span id=\"E182\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u201cW<\/span><span id=\"E183\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">ell<\/span><span id=\"E184\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">,<\/span><span id=\"E185\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> that<\/span><span id=\"E186\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">\u2019<\/span><span id=\"E187\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">s how we have always done it<\/span><span id=\"E188\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">,\u201d<\/span><span id=\"E189\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> can be the obstacle to innovation or success. <\/span><span id=\"E190\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Identify some easy pivot points and incorporate them immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"E192\"><span id=\"E193\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Ask for help. <\/span><span id=\"E194\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">Include<\/span><span id=\"E195\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> as many team <\/span><span id=\"E196\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">members<\/span><span id=\"E197\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> as possible<\/span><span id=\"E198\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> in this exercise<\/span><span id=\"E199\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> and <\/span><span id=\"E200\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">achieve<\/span><span id=\"E201\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> buy-<\/span><span id=\"E202\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">in from <\/span><span id=\"E203\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">them when and where you can. This is a good time to rally and refocus. A little time spent in review could be the edge required to meet and exceed your expectations.<\/span><span id=\"E204\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\"> This discipline of taking a step back and carefully reviewing your progress to date, while identifying gaps and remediating them could be the secret advantage to finishi<\/span><span id=\"E205\" class=\"qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman\">ng in record fashion this year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Kevin Goodman is the managing director, partner with BlueBridge Networks, a downtown Cleveland-headquartered data center business. Petar Bojovic is the firm\u2019s director of operations. They can be reached at (216) 621-2583 <a href=\"mailto:kjg@bbnllc.com\">kjg@bbnllc.com<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/74.214.25.114\/\" target=\"_blank\">kevinjgoodman.com<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bluebridgenetworks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">bluebridgenetworks.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\">\u00a0Link to CBC Magazine article <a href=\"http:\/\/cbcmagazine.com\/2015\/10\/22\/meet-in-the-middle-in-the-last-quarter\/\">http:\/\/cbcmagazine.com\/2015\/10\/22\/meet-in-the-middle-in-the-last-quarter\/<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the year begins to wind down, it\u2019s a good time to stop, pause, and reflect. How are you doing? Are you meeting or exceeding your company\u2019s goals and objectives? Sometimes the simple and seemingly mundane modifications or adjustments can provide great change and\/or needed momentum. We often think we are too busy doing what [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":233,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,14],"tags":[16,24,27,28,32],"class_list":["post-727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-operational-excellence","category-visionaries","tag-business","tag-entrepreneurism","tag-operational-excellence-2","tag-partnership","tag-team-building"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/cool_tech_25_inside_business_2013.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=727"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/727\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kevinjgoodman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}