Once Upon a Bureaucratical Mess…

We knew that our superiors of the higher tier had full knowledge of all the working parts in the machine they were operating, and that when things malfunctioned they would simply switch out the gears and all operations would continue unscathed. We were aware of the high accountability aspect, and this ensured that our coworkers would work just as hard as we did. When we had a question, we would ask our immediate supervisor, who would ask their supervisor, who would ask their supervisor, who would ask their supervisor….

It takes only one small disaster where you wait for the answer to trickle down through the chain of command to make you realize that the system has its faults as well as its strengths.

The strengths:
1. High accountability to get rid of the drones that produce next to nothing and consume your share of work hours.
2. Specialized job roles to give individuals the opportunity to hone the skills they find most needed.

The faults:
1. Terrible response time. While you wait for an answer, your clients are leaving you for relationships that are a little more “decisive.”
2. Frequent miscommunication. It’s like the telephone game where someone tells you that “the pigeons have flown the nest” and the last guy to get the message thinks you said that “the chowder is New England-styled and ready for salting.”

So what are our alternatives?
We call the opposite of this structure the network model. In a network model, expansion of business entities continue laterally, operating freely within the realm of their expertise to contribute to the overall whole. The idea is that you have a lot more workers than bosses, and the role of bosses is strictly limited to guiding the team forward. Network models lack the authority and accountability that bureaucracies have, but work much faster in response to emergencies and disasters.

Now, let’s put them together.

In the event of a major catastrophe, a bureaucratical model generally has the power needed to bring long-term relief to a region. This is the most common infrastructure used by organizations, so it’s fairly understandable. Unfortunately, catastrophes usually signify a severe level of damage that only radiates as time elapses and bureaucratical models are completely ill-equipped to deal with this sort of pressure. Help is definitely on the way; we’re instructed to sit tight until then.

Network models deal with catastrophes almost instantaneously as each branch has the flexibility to analyze the situation and adapt as needed. Relief is fast and damage is minimized. But alas, network models lack the infrastructure needed to deal with long-term relief.

Merging these models would provide for a new, innovative method for dealing with emergencies and disasters. There would be intricate networks of businesses and organizations working together to provide immediate relief and control the scope of devastation while we wait for promised, long-term relief.

Adaptive management: taking the resources that you already have and adapting them to the situation at hand.

Partnership with Houston CERT

As we focus on addressing special needs of individuals and businesses during emergencies and disasters. We will serve as a company providing the adaptation necessary between the government bureaucratic models provided and the network models of the communities. We will provide this adaptation through resource mini and blueprints during multiple phases of disaster.

As the destruction of disasters increases annually, our focus is on coordinating with whomever is necessary to provide the aid that our current systems lack. Our company is committed to addressing the “in-betweens” constituents.

The extent of our reach is endless, though how we choose to begin is crucial.

The Hiring Process

Hiring new employees is always a serious decision and process.

It involves articulating everything you do, your company does, your customers needs and wants...

Once you've established that, then the question becomes where to find these prospective employees? After that, how to determine the best match for what you are looking for.

One thing is for sure, if there are holes in your business or operations plan at this point....you will discover them!

A business is not a business until you can take a vacation from it. Baptism by fire, here we come!

Marketing

Starting a business means being aware of your audience....leave your feelings at the door. Marketing that may have taken hours, weeks and sometimes months can get torn to shreds constantly.

Everyone from the outside thinks it's easy and simple. All have advice and think it's innovative. Remembering to look for where they are right and let the rest roll off is imperative. I look for concensus.

Sometimes opening up again is exhausting. Businesses fail often because their creators quit this very process. Remain as open and flexible as poosible.

Ups, google, Twitter and facebook all seemed goofy.

Support must come from real solid source. Selfishness will not suffice for Success

Networking and Fellowship

So the idea of networking has been on my mind for 6 months now. I have attended networking events, socials, net weaving, business support groups, luncheons, breakfasts, chamber events, mixers, holiday parties……you name it and I’ve tried it.

Common themes:
1. Not very many people like them
2. The lack of genuineness
3. The lack of real substance
4. Lack of clarity of purpose
5. Costly

Fellowship exists in churches, recovery groups, sports, alumni societies, community organizations, and politics. It exists everywhere that people really believe and like what they do.

Networking exists in jobs, work, business and shallow socializing.
So is there a way to cross fellowship and networking? I believe the opportunity exists for entrepreneurs.

There is a different motivation for those who are present and future depends upon their profession. Entrepreneurs develop their businesses most times from the fellowships they associate with.

Church is an example. Entrepreneurs highly connected within church grass root fellowships have a much higher success rate. There perceived value is increased because they are attached to the highest value offered….God.

Entrepreneurs connected with fellowships also enjoy the perceptions of:
Accountability
Consistency
Morals
Integrity
Community
Politics
Dues paid

These may or may not be true but it definitely helps get their foot in the door. Fellowships act as a screening process in people’s minds.

I am not interested in using any of my current fellowships as avenues for growing my business. My desire is to create a “working fellowship of entrepreneurs”.
Business is built on relationships and networking is limited when no fellowship exists.

The successful networking I have witnessed centered on a really enthusiastic person. The attendees felt as though they were in fellowship with that person rather than each other’s pitches.

Entrepreneurs have a common fellowship. It is an old, proven and solid basis we can rely on and a platform for us to build a working fellowship.

©2009-2010 The Austin Answer Company

Services of The Answer Company

We provide the path, resources and support that individuals and families need to succeed with and in their ventures.
The five major areas we
specialize in are:

Business Consulting
Career Transition
Going Green
Dealing with Long-term Illness
Senior Citizen Transition

Blueprints have been created for each of these areas to be used as a template for the do-it-yourself people. These are comprehensive to each subject area and require a high level of discipline and commitment.
We also offer Miniprints for those who enjoy a mixture of hands-on and one on one instruction.

You may only need the answer to one or two specific questions. Walkthroughs are available for those situations.
Seminars are offered once every three months on specific topics where group instruction rather than individual teaching is preferred.

For those who only need general information about a particular subject, we offer informational talks with a minimum of five and a maximum of ten participants.
Our objective is answer your questions and open your possibilities.

My Product is Great, Why is my Business Failing? by Bobbie Kite

Three major items serve to dismantle the majority of businesses. Poor people skills, administration and marketing strategies. All three of these items are ideally addressed before you open your doors for business. The truth is that people spend the majority of their time focused out on their products.

The thought here is that is the product is great, then people will buy it. That is simply just not true. If a person is covered in oil, chances are I will not be interested in the soap they are trying to sell me. In a similar manner, if the soap is falling out of a box in the back of their truck or they are telling me about it and don't know when they will have anymore or where it is I probably will not be interested.

How we come across to people, looks, attitude and organization matters. Our preparedness really makes or breaks our success or failure.

Taking the time before starting a business or pausing if you have already started to answer the following questions cannot hurt you.

What is the personality of who is selling your product?
Example: I am not the most polished person, I would be hard pressed to sell my product to someone very interested in high fashion...

What does your interaction with customer look like from their point of view?
Example: I am straight to the point, that may come off as hard to my customers instead of efficient. A smile helps to soften a stern no nonsense approach.

Why does your customer need your service or product? What hurts on your customer?
Example: A person needs a pain pill because their back hurts.
A client needs my help because they are losing precious profits and time

Not having the answers to these questions causes many small businesses to go under before they even had a chance even thought their product may be great.

For more information, please email me at info@theanswercompany.net

© 2008-2009 The Austin Answer Company