Make It Count: Recent Episodes

Connie Siu

Business Consulting, Coaching, Technology Alignment

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The right action accelerates execution. It is beneficial to execute with focus and purpose. Otherwise, you might waste time and effort.

The post Do You Know What It Takes to Succeed? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Meeting timelines is important for project execution. There are four step to maintain momentum.

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There are different solutions to tackle a problem. A complex solution is not necessarily a better one. Look out for these 5 myths.

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Dealing with uncertainties could be nerve-wracking. There are 3 techniques you could use.

The post Working Decisively in the Gray Zone appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Execution is all about details. To be successful, there are four things you need.

The post It’s All In the Details appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Not sure what drives success? Consider the causal link to result. The relationship between action and outcome is crucial to defining what is important to measure.

The post Why Causality is Important to Results Measurement appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Are you able to manage your team for sound performance? There are 4 things you could do to enhance your effectiveness.

The post Are You an Effective Manager? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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To assess whether you have achieved your goals for the year, you need to review the results you have been monitoring. Listen to the podcast and see what the 3 key elements are for results measurement.

The post Did You Achieve Your Goals? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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It is frustrating when negativity puts a halt to an otherwise meaningful discussion on solving a problem. See how you could turn things around by leading with focus and positive thinking.

The post The Incredible Contagious Energy appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Productivity is greatly impacted when your employees are overwhelmed. There are 5 ways you could help.

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Consistency business practices boost customer satisfaction and productivity. Find out how you could leverage it.

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Fact-based decision-making is one of the many approaches to decision-making. Having the data doesn’t help to make sound decisions unless you do 5 things.

The post How to Make Sound Fact-based Decisions appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Effects get us excited about taking action. Dealing with a cause usually takes more effort than dealing with an effect. Find out why and aim for a real solution.

The post Are You Treating Cause or Effect? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Work tasks consume time and money. By keeping things simple, you expedite completion and improve productivity. More importantly, you build a solid foundation for transitioning to the digital era. Review the two areas Connie identifies for opportunities to simplify work activities.

The post Simplicity is Golden appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Do you want to make sure that you are clear on the problem you need to solve? There are 7 questions you ought to ask.

The post Are You Solving the Right Problem? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Resistance is a key barrier to change implementation. There is no short-cut to getting people on-side. An effective tact is to sell the case for change through winning minds.

The post Winning Minds for Change appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Operational excellence is more than an internal business challenge. Find out how to orient your operations to be customer-focused to build customer satisfaction and loyalty.

The post How to Orient Your Operations to be Customer-focused appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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To make sound decisions, you need a scoring model to rank the options. Connie shares a few tips on developing a good model.

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Tips on how to select relevant criteria for prioritization.

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Common practices are not necessarily best practices. Connie shares a few distinct differences between the two.

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Complacency is a silent damper of improvement. Connie highlights the causes for complacency that companies need to look out for.

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Standardization helps to streamline operations and simplify administration. Connie shares a few tips on how your business can benefit from it.

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The different types of performance measures are used for different purposes. Don’t get overwhelmed by their label, focus on what you want to achieve.

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When an issue repeatedly usurps resources that could have been better utilized, it is time to stop the vicious cycle. Connie shares a few tips on how to free yourself from the dilemma.  

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Doing work the same old way would get you the same result. Listen for tips on how to overcome the problems with paving the cow path.

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Want to maximize the return on investment of your initiatives? Ask 3 important questions to verify the link between your initiative and your business goals.

The post How to Select Initiatives that Align with Strategic Goals appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Change causes anxiety. There are 5 elements that you need to incorporate into your communication strategy.

The post Change Management – Communication Strategy appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie explains why end-to-end thinking is important for effective execution.

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Leverage helps to expedite results and optimize ROI.

The post Turning Actions into Results – Part 3 appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Results can be expedited through simplicity.

The post Turning Actions into Results – Part 2 appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Actions might not deliver results if there is a lack of focus. Listen to find out why.

The post Turning Actions into Results – Part 1 appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares key considerations for benchmarking business results.

The post Challenges with Benchmarking Results appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie outlines the 6 steps for strategy formulation. This is part 3 of the 3-part podcast series on strategy.

The post How to Formulate Strategy appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Strategy serves as a beacon for a business. Connie explains why it is important. This is part 2 of a 3-part podcast series on strategy.

The post Why is Strategy Important? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie defines what business strategy is. This is part 1 of a 3-part podcast series on strategy.

The post What is Strategy? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares tips on how to measure intangibles.

The post How to Measure Intangibles appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares tips on what company should take into consideration when looking at implementing new technology.

The post Finding a Balance Between the Use of Old and New Technology appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie explains the three top reasons for a company’s demise. Lack of a strategy Not able to act quickly Poor management of finances                              

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Connie shares tips on how companies can increase their competitive advantage. 1. Build on the value proposition of your business 2. Know your competition and differentiate your offerings 3. Anticipate customer needs 4. Innovate 5. Optimize the cost structure 6. Drive operational efficiency 7. Build expertise in your employees  

The post Best Ideas to Increase Your Competitive Advantage appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie explains that  there are two sides to change management: the technical side and the people side.The people side of change tends to present the most challenges when it comes to change management.

The post The Toughest Challenge with Change Management appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares some problems that can arise from compensating strictly on performance. 1.  Employees only focus on areas they are good at, and ignore those that need improvement 2.  Employees are unwilling to accept measurement on  work which they don’t have  control 3.  Employees will see this as a way... [More]

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Connie explains why organizations must have a clearly mapped out mission and strategy. 1. Defined goals 2. Clear direction 3. Criteria for setting priorities 4. Filters for decision making 5. Guidance on day-to-day operations  

The post Why is Mission & Strategy Critical to Sustain Business Growth? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares tips on how to get work done when faced with the challenge of having limited resources. 1. Revisit priorities 2. Review the timeline 3. Filter unnecessary work 4. Improve efficiency 5. Outsource to a 3rd party 6. Borrow resources from other areas 7. Get temporary help  

The post Best Practices for Getting Work Done with Limited Resources appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares 5 ways that organizations can protect their knowledge. 1. Document processes and know-how 2. Pay attention to cross-training employees 3. Find ways to use the knowledge so it is not forgotten 4. Provide continual development 5. Retain talent    

The post How Do You Grow, Nurture and Protect Knowledge appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares 5 tips on how companies align  execution with their strategy. 1. Have a roadmap for execution 2. Allocate adequate resources 3. Gain alignment on priorities 4. Be resilient 5. Communicate progress regularly  

The post Alignment of Execution with Strategy appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shines a light on some of the biggest mistakes she sees organizations make. 1. Not explaining what the company’s strategic direction is 2. Not paying attention to execution 3. Using performance measurement to penalize workers  

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Connie shares 4 elements for sustainable operational growth. 1. Structure 2. Scalability 3. People mobilization 4. Adaptability  

The post Sustaining Operational Framework for Growth appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares 3 ways to best integrate process, technology, and people. 1. Start with process and define what work needs to be done, who will do it, how they will do it, when and where it will get done. 2. Explore how to leverage technology. 3. Utilize the skills of your people to accomplish... [More]

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Connie shares 2 ideas on how to improve collaboration in your workplace. 1. Create a forum for sharing information 2. Educate people on work that is taking place within the organization

The post How to Improve Collaboration appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares tips from her best clients, on how to improve communication: The “big picture” Clarity on need Value of information Timeliness  

The post The Communication Gap appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie shares 8 reasons why communication breaks down in businesses. Sender is not aware that he needs to share the information Receiver does not know who has the information No one is accountable to make sure that the information is communicated Oversight on sender’s or receiver’s part Personal issues and... [More]

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Organizations are often looking for new ways to improve their business. Hiring an outside consultant is a great way to do this, and Connie explains why. Fresh perspectives Impartial and objective views Speed        

The post Why Rely on Outside Consultants appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Technology is a common struggle within organizations. Connie shares some tips on how to deal with this issue.

The post Challenge #3 My Clients Face – Technology appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Do you have any challenge with people in your business? Listen to this podcast on how to handle employees who are uncooperative or ineffective.  

The post Challenge #2 My Clients Face – The People Challenge appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Connie explains the pressure to do more with less and offers two suggestions on how companies can be more effective with their resources.  

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Connie shares four traits that she finds in her most successful clients.              

The post Profile of My Best Clients appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Do you have a feedback system for your business? Learn how performance measurement can help run your business more effectively.    

The post Why Do We Need A Feedback System? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Observation is one of the best ways to see what’s working and what’s not working. Learn how to use observation to uncover operational challenges.  

The post Work Observation appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Unproductive meetings are time wasters. Learn how to run effective meetings.

The post How To Run Effective Meetings appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Productivity improvement is about increasing output from the resources you invest.  

The post Productivity Improvement appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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Process drives how work is done. There are six elements you need to examine to improve process  

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It is essential for organizations to track performance. However, you want to measure meaningful results. Connie shares a few tips on performance management.

The post The Purpose of Performance Measurement appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.