Doug Shaw - Thu, 2010-02-18 03:10

This is a very interesting podcast. I like the point about connection. Too often in large organisations connections only happen along a chain of command. Direct connections are enormously beneficial. My experience shows me that too often business leaders favour chain of command over direct. Yet walking the floor, asking questions and sincerely listening to the answers proves to be a hugely valuable activity for engaged leaders, and their action in turn helps engage others. I saw an organisation reduce customer response times by over 30% simply because the COO took the time to speak directly with, and listen to front line staff. I wish more business leaders would take time every week to make these direct, valuable connections. The cost is low, the benefits, business and emotional can be huge.

Involvement, or co-creation, is another hugely powerful, low cost way of creating a buzz. Supported by conversational style communication it can be very powerful. I've helped two organisations work with rather than against each other, involving them both in an improvement process which over 18 months saw one party rise into the top 15 global suppliers to the second, and in turn the second party recognised the first as "excellent". It took a little time, a little persistence to get the engagement going but what results!

I'm helping to run an engagement event in London, England on 14th April 2010 which seeks to build on some of the points you have made in your podcast and forge strong links between engagement, service, and results. If you would like to find out more you can visit http://www.engagingforgrowth.com

Thanks again for this podcast, it's a great way of getting your message across I must try it myself.

Have a good day - Doug Shaw