The Tao of Mosquitoes

How many small things can have BIG impacts

I spend a lot of time in my garden, mostly working on it, or rather, with it.  And, as is inevitable at this time of year, the mosquitoes are out doing what mosquitoes do.   I have a fairly high tolerance level for these tiny but persistent and relentless creatures, but I am constantly aware of them buzzing around my ears or getting into my field of vision causing me to try (in vain) to wave them away, taking a bite causing me to try to swat them, and for those I miss, leaving sore or itchy patches afterward.   All this acts as a distraction - absorbing some of my brain processing capacity, reducing the enjoyment of being in the garden, and ultimately affecting the quality of what I'm doing or the amount of time I spend doing it - yes, I do sometimes reach my limit.

This reminded me of the way we deal with many issues or problems in business.  Issues such as market fluctuations, regulatory changes, customer complaints, operational inefficiencies, competitor actions, or overlooked details are inevitable to some degree, and often they are individually slight.   It is often easier to 'tolerate' them and push through - and we do build up quite a 'tolerance'.  However, the combined effect over time is eroding our effectiveness - and efficiency. It is subconsciously distracting us and depleting our reserves, dampening our culture, and causing us to increasingly focus on the here and now rather than keeping an eye on the strategic goal.   And these things can escalate into significant problems if not addressed.

I recognize that I am part of my garden's ecosystem.  The mosquitoes were there long before me - and so were many things that can help.   I am not going to eliminate mosquitoes, but I can reduce their impact.   I have built dragonfly friendly features into the garden, and whenever I am out, I often have my own personal squadron of dragonflies darting around feasting on the mosquitoes that are trying to feast on me.  Bat boxes provide a nursery place for hungry bats and fast growing pups - one box of bats can eat a LOT of mosquitoes in a day, proper drainage ensures puddles of water don't form, and the frogs enjoy a tasty portion of mosquito in their diet too.

 While business cannot eradicate many of the issues that frustrate them, neither should they tolerate the impacts of those issues.  Things - often individually small - can be done to reduce the individual impact, and those individual impacts when considered through the aggregation or multiplier effects (eg 6 and 7 are next to each other, but there is quite a gap between 6x6=36 and 7x7=49) can make a big difference to operational and business performance, bottom line, and top line.   Here's some examples:   

1.        Improving Communication Channels. By enhancing internal communication, small misunderstandings or miscommunications can be reduced, leading to a more cohesive and efficient team. Implementing regular team meetings and using effective communication tools can help ensure everyone is on the same page, reducing errors and increasing productivity.

2.        Streamlining Processes. Small inefficiencies in processes can add up over time. Conducting regular process audits and implementing lean principles can help identify and eliminate some or many of these inefficiencies. For example, reducing the time it takes to complete a task by just a few minutes can result in significant time savings across the organization.

3.        Investing in Employee Training.  Providing ongoing training and development opportunities for employees can mitigate small skill gaps that might otherwise slow down operations. Well-trained and practiced employees are more capable of handling their responsibilities efficiently, reducing the likelihood of mistakes and improving overall performance.

4.        Enhancing Customer Feedback Systems.  Actively seeking and addressing customer feedback can help identify minor issues before they escalate. Implementing a robust feedback system ensures that customer concerns are heard and resolved promptly, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.

5.        Maintaining Equipment and Infrastructure. Regular maintenance of equipment and infrastructure can prevent small issues from turning into major problems. Scheduled check-ups and prompt repairs can keep everything running smoothly, minimizing downtime and avoiding costly breakdowns.

 By addressing small issues proactively, knocking 'frustration levels' down a notch from a 7 to a 6, businesses can create a more resilient and efficient operation. Just as the dragonflies, and bats, and frogs in my garden help keep the mosquitoes in check, implementing these strategies can help keep minor business nuisances under control, and the aggregated effect is a healthier and more successful business ecosystem.

 

If you want to talk garden or business ecosystems, give me a call

Graham