Networking is a Learned Skill
Ok, really. How tough can networking be? It involves TALKING to people and I talk to people every single day. Why do I constantly need to learn how to network? Why do I need to constantly develop networking skills? Why is it recommended that I participate in GROUPS that only have a focus on networking? It just can't be that tough.Networking is a LEARNED skill. It involves developing strong relationship-building techniques. These are taught. Just like mathematical skills and verbal skills. It is a common misconception that you should "know" how to network. After all, it's believed, networking is not brain surgery or rocket sc

Jobs of the Future
Today, we live in an uncertain world. We can not predict what will happen in the next second. If you can, then you must me something else other than a living being. Today, we are constantly terrified by the uncertainty of the next moment.As I write this article, I don’t actually know what will happen the next moment. A new inventory in technology may jeopardize my current work as a typist. As I type, I do so with fear because I don’t know weather my boss will be coming back the next moment with a robot that will type more effective, accurate and efficiently than I do. If such happens, that means that I will lose my current job as a typist.Did you know that you should always create a process map for every procedure or system of procedures that you develop? And did you know that, like a table of contents, this will create stronger communication and better understanding in your organization?

How do you do this?

Identify Core Processes

Last time, we followed the money trail and identified your business’ core processes. We discussed where to best start a change in one of those core processes. And we introduced the technique of producing a process map. So this week, let’s take a further look at how to create a process map – and see how it creates knowledge to benefit you and your organization.

Use Process Map as Communication Tool

A process map is a flow diagram of the primary processes within an organization. It very specifically shows you both who and what is involved in a process, as well as the requirements for that process to be effective. The primary goal is to use the map as a communication tool. It is to show the sequence of interactions of the elements involved in the process. And so process maps are drawn and used by organizations to achieve several benefits:

• Increase process understanding

• Clarify process boundaries, ownership and effectiveness measures

• Identify process sequences

• Isolate core processes, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement

• Clarify the interaction of Customer, Supplier, Management and Operations processes

• Provide a tool for training and discussion

In other words, a process map details what happens first, second and third in a process. It shows what happens in each step along the way. And this is drawn in graphical form

he money trail and identified your business’ core processes. We discussed where to best start a change in one of those core processes. And we introduced the technique of producing a process map. So this week, let’s take a further look at how to create a process map – and see how it creates knowledge to benefit you and your organization.

Use Process Map as Communication Tool

A process map is a flow diagram of the primary processes within an organization. It very specifically shows you both who and what is involved in a process, as well as the requirements for that process to be effective. The primary goal is to use the map as a communication tool. It is to show the sequence of interactions of the elements involved in the process. And so process maps are drawn and used by organizations to achieve several benefits:

• Increase process understanding

• Clarify process boundaries, ownership and effectiveness measures

• Identify process sequences

• Isolate core processes, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement

• Clarify the interaction of Customer, Supplier, Management and Operations processes

• Provide a tool for training and discussion

In other words, a process map details what happens first, second and third in a process. It shows what happens in each step along the way. And this is drawn in graphical for

>Use Process Map as Communication Tool

A process map is a flow diagram of the primary processes within an organization. It very specifically shows you both who and what is involved in a process, as well as the requirements for that process to be effective. The primary goal is to use the map as a communication tool. It is to show the sequence of interactions of the elements involved in the process. And so process maps are drawn and used by organizations to achieve several benefits:

• Increase process understanding

• Clarify process boundaries, ownership and effectiveness measures

• Identify process sequences

• Isolate core processes, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement

• Clarify the interaction of Customer, Supplier, Management and Operations processes

• Provide a tool for training and discussion

In other words, a process map details what happens first, second and third in a process. It shows what happens in each step along the way. And this is drawn in graphical for

equence of interactions of the elements involved in the process. And so process maps are drawn and used by organizations to achieve several benefits:

• Increase process understanding

• Clarify process boundaries, ownership and effectiveness measures

• Identify process sequences

• Isolate core processes, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement

• Clarify the interaction of Customer, Supplier, Management and Operations processes

• Provide a tool for training and discussion

In other words, a process map details what happens first, second and third in a process. It shows what happens in each step along the way. And this is drawn in graphical for

rtunities for improvement

• Clarify the interaction of Customer, Supplier, Management and Operations processes

• Provide a tool for training and discussion

In other words, a process map details what happens first, second and third in a process. It shows what happens in each step along the way. And this is drawn in graphical form for easier communication and understanding.

This type of map shows the “big picture” of 10-20 core processes within an organization. The map also shows the critical elements within each section and its importance within the whole system. And these sections, or bands, are what relate the processes to each other AND to the outside suppliers and customers.

Link Suppliers and Customers

Although there are several ways to draw a process map, the basic diagram is typically constructed in four bands. And these four bands link together Customers, Primary Processes, Secondary Processes and Suppliers.

You improve effectiveness by showing the specifics of a process. And sometimes we’ve learned the hard way that the development phase of a project or a process is far more expensive than the planning phase. And so by thinking through and perfecting your processes beforehand, you decrease waste in development time. With a detailed process map, you identify and decrease such waste wherever it occurs in the process.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind while process mapping:

• Identify core processes to support mission and goals

• Determine how to create value for the customer throughout the process

• Map ownership and performance metrics along with the process

• Engage your people in process mapping to define problems a