Productivity Shift

In the chaotic jungle of business intuition might get you by for a while, but what about building a systematic approach to dissect situations, identify opportunities , and ultimately, chart a winning course for your product and company? Enter the business analysis models. These frameworks, far from being dry academic exercises, are your secret weapons. They allow you to deconstruct complex situations into manageable chunks, identify hidden patterns, and ultimately, make data-driven decisions that propel your product forward. Models are like maps: they are not the reality, they represent reality. And just like maps, the best models help us see not where we are, but where we could go. They are less about static pictures and more about dynamic possibilities. Let's delve into four particularly potent models, each offering a unique lens for analysing your business situation: SWOT Analysis:  This is a classic framework that helps you assess your company's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opp

Hey there!  Just wrapped up a coaching workshop for leaders and let me tell you—it’s like tending a forest. Each team member, a sapling with dreams. Mission: nurture, empower, and ignite their potential.  No rulebook here. Just real conversations over coffee. We swap stories, laugh, and when the moment’s right, I nudge them toward the sunlight. “What’s your next step?” I ask. Their eyes light up—they see their path.  No suits, no buzzwords. Just me, their silent cheerleader, whispering, “You’ve got this.” Because growth isn’t about KPIs; it’s about human flourishing. 🌿 So, my friend, coaching shoes laced up, team waiting. The forest awaits. Here are my notes:  As a leader-coach, your focus can span three key areas: Skills Development: Identify skill gaps hindering performance. Utilize targeted training, resources, or mentoring to bridge those gaps. Efficiency Enhancement: Work with your team to identify and eliminate bottlenecks hindering efficiency. Explore process improvements and t

You know the feeling. The inbox that never empties, the urgent alerts that ping at all hours, the ever-present pressure to keep the digital engine humming. As an IT leader, your world is a constant storm of information and responsibility. But amidst the chaos, there's a crucial element often neglected: relaxation. Think of it like this: your mind is the CPU of your leadership. Just like any high-performance machine, it needs downtime to cool down, defrag, and run optimally. Relaxation isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for peak performance. Here's the good news: you don't need a spa weekend or a month-long retreat to find peace. In this post, I’ll share with you some of the best relaxation techniques I’ve learned from world-class experts, such as Dr. Andrew Weil, Tara Brach, and Dr. Jay Michaelson. These techniques have helped me and thousands of other leaders to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance performance. And the best part is, they only take a few minutes

Forget binge-watching your favorite shows, IT managers. Today, we're diving into a different kind of binge: the binge-worthy leadership style of Netflix. This ain't your grandpappy's corporate culture talk. We're pulling back the curtain on their radical approach, dissecting its DNA, and extracting actionable learnings you can inject straight into your IT management routine. Freedom: The Spice of the Upside Down (with a dash of Responsibility) Micromanagement? Gone. Dress codes? Kaput. At Netflix, freedom reigns supreme. You're empowered to make decisions, blaze your own trails, and even stumble gloriously. Think of it as an innovation playground, fueled by trust and autonomy. But wait, there's a catch (because, duh, Netflix). With this freedom comes the crushing weight of responsibility. Hitting your targets is your Everest, and the air gets thin fast. No excuses, just results. It's exhilarating, sure, but let's be honest, the pressure would make a seas

Picture this: You're a battle-hardened IT manager in a corporate behemoth, navigating the ever-shifting sands of technology. Suddenly, a tsunami called GenAI crashes onto the shore, leaving you wondering if you're Captain Kirk or Gilligan on this island. Relax. GenAI isn't here to replace your crew; it's here to boldly go where no AI has gone before – alongside your diverse generations of IT heroes. Let's ditch the ageism and dive into how Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z are wielding GenAI like lightsabers, each generation adding their unique spice to the mix.  Baby Boomers: The OG (Original Gangsters) AI Whisperers Remember punch cards? Yeah, these seasoned veterans have seen it all. They approach GenAI with cautious optimism, using it for tasks like automating routine reports and data analysis. Think of them as the Yoda of the group, offering wisdom and guidance while letting the younger generations take the lead. Example: A Boomer network admin us