Hidden Potential

       Seth Godin in his talk on TED.com spends 20 hilarious minutes discussing things that are broken. In this lecture, he talks about things present in his everyday life that he (and perhaps you) perceive as broken. “If I think it’s broken, it’s broken” he tells his audience as he shows slide after slide of examples split into 7 main categories: 1. Not my job, 2. Selfish jerks, 3. The world changed, 4. I didn’t know, 5. I’m not a fish, 6.Contradictions, and 7. Broken on purpose. These ideas inspired him to co-create a website called www.thisisbroken.com where users can upload their own personal “broken” experiences.

       Mr. Godin’s passion is evident in every word he speaks. It is as if the ideas are moving so quickly through his head, it’s all he can do to get them out at a speed that we can understand. He is most focused on the interaction between people and how these poorly designed situations devalue the customer experience.

                           

       I find this lecture particularly relevant because, although he focused on the things he has observed in everyday life, a lot of examples have to do with marketing. From Spam email, to signage, to product packaging, he explains how each one of these “problems” break the interaction between the audience and the intended message. He describes how many companies are not taking advantages of the possible continued relationships with their customers.  Marketing is a conversation between a company and its intended audience. Clear communication solidifies the relation between a company and its consumer. The poor execution of simple ideas can form barriers that hinder this relationship.

       What a great way to look at your marketing strategies regardless of the industry. Many companies, artists, etc. have such great ideas, but poor execution. Mr. Godin inspired me to look at my everyday environment and see what can be improved, then take action to fix it. This ties right in to what I do for my clients, problem solve. It’s not enough to notice something isn’t working, its time to do something about it and discover the hidden potential within your company, art, or product, and develop it.

Organize! Your mind, your space,your life!

One part of the general management consulting industry is workplace organization. For those moving into the realm a great resource is the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). Many think that professional organizing is a tool only used in your home. Workplace clutter is one of the top reasons that the day-to-day operation of your office or studio can be hindered. Not being able to find a client file, having a cluttered desk, and a lack of storage all contribute to inefficiency in the workplace. One of the main goals of NAPO “is to have the world recognize the value of organizing and turn to NAPO as the leading organizing authority. Our mission is to develop, lead, and promote professional organizers and the organizing industry.”

NAPO is a wonderful resource to continue your education in organizing and creating workplace systems. They offer courses for general knowledge or specific challenges. The courses all count as credit toward certification, which can solidify your reputation within the consulting industry and confirm credibility by becoming a certified professional organizer.

Their varying chapters give organizers at any level the opportunity to network with others in their field. NAPO also participates in community outreach going into schools to teach basic organization skills as well as assisting people in transition with organizing their lives to help them move forward out of homelessness. The community efforts are a great way for consultants to get new clients as well as identify needs within their market.

Membership offers the advantage of discounts with many retailers related to organization. They also offer a section called the Industry Exchange, which offers member a first look at new products, and deep discounts only available to NAPO. Members have the chance to become involved in national conferences throughout the country. These conferences involve specialized education, lectures from leaders within the industry as well as front row access to the latest trends and changes within the industry. NAPO has also created a member directory where prospective clients can search for the best Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) to suit their specific challenges.

Becoming a member of NAPO helps the general management consultant to refine their skills, increase their knowledge, and connect with the rest of the industry. Credibility is one of the most crucial parts of success as a consultant as well as being on top of what’s new and useful to your client. As part of the organization, you are marketed directly to your target market as part of their official website. Don’t we all want to be part of something great?

"Delivering Happiness": The Importance of Company Culture

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