This web site discusses how effective interaction of culture, process and people might be achieved, giving an organisation and its people the best possible opportunity to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential.  In doing so, it offers practical advice on how to deal with the range of issues which need to be addressed and co-ordinated.  These include:

• The challenges of starting a new venture - commercial, financing and business skills;
• The fundamentals of any business venture – cash, sales, cost, profit, reporting;
• Re-appraising and re-energising – values, direction and responsiveness;
• The cultural jigsaw - the interaction of leadership behaviour and organisation process;
• Maintaining process relevance – business development, supply chain and governance;
• Focusing agendas - short term, internal change, organic growth and strategic initiatives;

In stating the above, I’ve been around long enough to know that good habits alone don’t guarantee an organisation will achieve its potential.  That requires the foresight or good fortune to position your organisation to take best advantage of opportunities or have the ability to lead the market.  In short, good habits provide a solid base but at least a little inspiration or luck is essential if your organisation is to fulfil its potential!

The views expressed are rooted in the belief that:

• Organisations must be responsive to their ever changing environment if they are to survive and prosper ... anticipating opportunities and issues whenever they can;
• A responsive organisation needs effectively focused, energised and capable people through-out it, committed to its success because they believe in it and share its success;
• An organisation’s process and culture, positively influenced by leadership style, have the ability to facilitate this and, at the same, time improve the overall quality of each individual’s life ... in and out of work;

In essence, the culture enables the process and the process enables the culture prompting each organisation to re-appraise and re-energise – releasing each organisation’s inherent energy and capability, and that of its people, through a mix of empathising inspiration, appropriate discipline, equitable reward and individual fulfilment – enabling each organisation to make the required transition of its business model, culture and people.

Many organisations have cultures which are too ego-centric, controlling or laissez-faire to allow this powerful interaction of culture and process to achieve its true potential.  In my opinion they miss a wonderful opportunity to better their people and organisation.     

Unanticipated, exceptional circumstances and commercial, operational or financial pressures can also make it more difficult to achieve the above operating environment.   Even in those challenging times, however, an organisation which values its people and wishes to progress beyond its current difficulties should, in my opinion, hold true to the fundamental beliefs outlined above.  Difficult decisions can still be taken but in a manner which properly respects individuals, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

The views and advice discussed in this site reflect my experience over the last 30 years, much of it as a Management Consultant and Chief Financial Officer, of many challenging business environments and initiatives.  This journey has provided many lessons - from the successful organisations and initiatives I’ve witnessed and also from issues which, to some extent, repeatedly handicap organisations and frustrate the many talented people within them.  I hope you find the episodes of use as you address your own business challenges.