Blog
Removing the Guesswork of High Performance
In our quest to remove the guesswork from the pursuit of excellence, we present actionable tips and insights across various facets of organizational capacity building.
Organizational Change Management: The S.M.A.C.K. Framework for Determining and Building Capacity for Change
Nine Actionable Tips for Effective Organizational Capacity Building
Capacity building largely encompasses enhancing and leveraging Systems, Motivation, Accountabilities, Communications, and Knowledge (The SMACK™ Framework). Within this framework…
Enhancing Organizational Capacity: The S.M.A.C.K. Framework Unveiled
In our modern fast-paced business landscape, effective organizational leadership plays a critical role in driving success, fostering innovation, and cultivating a positive work culture that supports sufficient organizational capacity. To excel at this, leaders need to possess the requisite skills and implement strategies aligned with their organization's goals. Here, we will delve into a framework I developed called S.M.A.C.K.—an invaluable approach that encompasses the five key areas that form the foundation of organizational capacity: Systems, Motivation, Accountability, Communications, and Knowledge.
Figure It Out!: Six Tips to Help Get Unstuck
“There is only one way to do it, and that's to do it”. This is my favorite quote to use when leaders, teams, or organizations find themselves up against significant inertia to change or progress. The quote resonates and simplifies things. When a challenging project or situation is distilled down, there really are only two options; do it and figure it out, or pivot to something else. Here are six actions leaders, teams, and organizations can take to help overcome the organizational or creative inertia and start to reactivate the momentum.
The Ins and Outs of Performance Data and KPIs
Key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance data allow for business leaders of all sized organizations to keep a close eye on the health and progress of their company. If you are an entrepreneur or a corporate executive, KPIs will provide vital information about where your organization stands in relation to itself, the competition, or the market. However, there are downsides if performance data and KPIs are used inappropriately.
Root Cause Analysis: Bringing Clarity to Chaos
In business, there is often a lot of complexity and sometimes chaos. Urgent demands, unexpected changes, and shifting priorities can make it difficult to get anything done. When things spiral out of control, it is easy to feel fatigued or lost but with the right tools and techniques, clarity can be regained and solutions to even the most complex problems can be found. One of those tools is root cause analysis. With this approach, you can systematically identify the causes of a problem and develop strategies to address them.
On Goal Setting, Motivation, and Performance
Motivation is critical for high performance in any domain, including business. Motivational theories and constructs such as attribution, expectancy, interest, goal orientation, approach-avoidance, self-determination, social cognitive theory, and bias can all play a role in choices, persistence, and mental effort one applies to an activity. These topics can be very complex and challenging to navigate.
Another Strong Case for the Generalist: Business Start-ups
In today's ever-changing business landscape, it is more important than ever to have people on business teams who are adaptable and able to pivot when necessary. With technology advancing at breakneck speed, businesses need to be able to adapt quickly or risk being left behind.
Closing the Training ROI Gap
Training should be intentional, and its intentionality is ensured through data-driven design, stakeholder engagement, learning transfer to business operations, and measurable training ROI. Training value should trickle up.
On Leadership Fatigue: Tips to Maintain Effective Leadership
The strategies, choices, and behaviors used to lead, influence the complexities and the burden of leadership. When the burdens overwhelm, negative consequences develop and reflect poorly on what might otherwise be effective leadership – leadership fatigue can spiral into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
5 Tips to Build Strong Patient Bases and Full Dental Schedules
As an owner dentist or dental office manager, you know that a solid patient base is key to the success of your office or clinic. But how do you ensure that your patients keep coming back and that your schedule stays full? The answer lies in having a robust and consistent recall system in place.
Dental Patient Recall Struggles: How Engaging Knowledge, Motivation, and Accountability Drives Patient Recall Success
Offices may struggle with carrying out patient recall protocols for various reasons. The most common reasons come down to a deficiency in knowledge, motivation, and accountability. Can you relate?