Back to Basics
I have had the great pleasure of speaking with hundreds of people over the last couple of weeks about their careers. I have spoken with companies, business owners as well as read several articles outlining how people are responding to the lazy economy. There is a consistent message: THE BASICS.
People are getting back to the basics. People are getting realigned to the what they originally did to make their business’ grow in the first place. This causes me to consider “why?” Why get back to the basics? Why did people get away from those activities in the first place? When business gets difficult people tend to take a closer look at productivity levels. Business’ look at what activities people are actually doing in order to accomplish their goals. When it all boils down, it is back to the basics. Is this the economy’s natural way of forcing us to be more productive?
I guess there are two things…
1. Why did we get away from the basics in the first place if they are what is getting us through some of the tough times?
2. Why do we tend to let the unproductive stuff get in the way of continuing the basics.
Truly this was a hard post for me because I am at a loss. I don’t have the answers but I have definitely learned a lot from thinking about the concept. Thinking about what people and companies are doing in order to get through this economic slowdown.
I would love to hear your thoughts and stories on this concept.
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Comments
Darrin,
I agree with you and this is interesting my take is the following: in robust economic times people want to focus on doing something new, something glamorous – the basics after all can be boring! & in return people consuming have the luxury to desire new, untested options and if they get a lemon – so be it – times are good – we can recover! – but when belts start tightening people tend to not want to take risks –“just give me the basics, I am comfortable with that”.
Great observation. That makes sense. Have you gotten “back to the basics” at all?
Yes, I am getting back to the basics & I can definitely say that the company, I work for the largest retail bank in the country, is definitely getting back to the basics – at least in my organization. Really is interesting to be a part of – doing all the little things, that in an org this large add up – (making sure lights are turned out & travel expenses are kept to the absolute minimum) & the big projects that are moving forward are heavily focused on cost reduction, process improvement – doing more with less.
However, we are bringing the learning’s from the last few years with us and making sure that we keep the customer’s needs first and foremost – there almost always is a way to do this, with a little thought & creativity.
The big switch is the pace at which decisions are being made internally – no more proof of concepts sitting on desks for weeks – common sense – has taken over where office politics used to win out in decision making! This is actually refreshing!
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