Count Dracula was able to survive for several centuries because he knew how to keep his business  “alive”.  He followed some rules that any business should use. 

Change processes when beneficial.  For Count Dracula, the human form was not always the best.  He learned to become a bat or wolf when those forms better served his needs.  All businesses need to question business processes periodically.  We need to adopt new processes when they make us more efficient.  Always ask how a new technology, application, or method can help, or hurt, your business.  Then determine if, when, and how to make the change.

Learn the new culture.  Before traveling to England, Count Dracula studied extensively.  He read books and taught himself the language.  We should all be learning new communication methods.  Applications are available for mobile devices, and we are sending more data to remote sites for better access by all users (Cloud Computing).  Quick Response (QR) Codes are appearing in more ads every day.  Our knowledge of cultures should be increasing.  With several generations now in the workplace, businesses are adjusting to the differences.  Knowledge of other countries’ habits, language differences, and holidays is increasing, since work is now spread around the globe.

Observe others.  Count Dracula seemed to come out of nowhere, since he did not cast a shadow.  He was able to observe the habits and characteristics of others.  He then put them to use for his survival.  We all need to take time to observe our surroundings.  We need to notice the changes around us.  We need to note when actions match words.  More importantly, we need to note what is not being said and/or done.

Utilize your resources.  Our biggest resource is time.  Periodically we need to review the time spent on different tasks.  Then we can determine if the task should be improved, outsourced, or removed.  Count Dracula knew when to use others to perform tasks that he could not handle. 

Decide how to handle problems before they occur.  In case things did not go well, Count Dracula had an exit plan for England.  He also had alternative plans for any part of the escape.  We all need to plan for situations before they happen.  After a storm or theft, what are the plans for business continuity and data recovery?  If a new business process does not work, how do you get back to the previous process and what are the costs?

We all need to change, learn, observe, utilize, and decide about processes that can impact our businesses.  These actions help us see the impact of the processes more clearly, and keep our businesses “alive”.

Happy Halloween!

Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
anevens@innertag.com
www.innertag.com