Category: Talking Business

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:13 — 16.7MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 13 – Review

Welcome to Review, the last talk in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. We have considered the good, the bad and the extremely ugly throughout the series!

The Review is where you learn from the successes and mistakes in your project . If you have skipped steps or haven’t done things thoroughly enough this is where you start to understand the factors that contributed to your disaster! Remember that a lack of commitment in the delivery of a successful solution can kill a successful business.

The Review Meeting:

• Long enough after go-live to know how it went, but not too long as otherwise you’ll forget the details
• Invite the key players (global, regional and local) but no JFDIs
• Understand the What and the Why – for both the successes and failures
• This is an opportunity to embed success and improve – document everything and set realistic dates for completion of any repairs 
• Understand the reasons for the successes so that you can replicate them next time
• Understand the reasons for the failures so that you can eradicate them next time

Remember that only JFDIs look for innocent scapegoats.

Take this opportunity to review the series of talks – remember to listen again when you start your next project!

Please click on the link below to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Episode 13 – Review

This talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

There will be a new series of talks, on a different topic, in a few months. I hope that you have enjoyed these talks.

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Lifestyles is the theme music and is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:24 — 16.9MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 12 – Implementation / Go-Live

Welcome to Implementation / Go-Live, talk twelve in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. We always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

Implementation / Go-Live is where your work becomes reality. If you have skipped steps or haven’t done things thoroughly enough you will have a disaster. This lack of commitment to deliver a successful solution can kill your successful business.

It is unlikely that everything will be perfect:

• There may be minor flaws – correct them before customers notice
• Minor flaws, corrected, will not kill your business
• If you can transact normally and accurately with customers you should be OK
• If it is a disaster, you cannot sort out the mess after go-live – you will need to stop and go back and try implementation again later 

Remember the JFDIs, wanting an implementation bonus, will push you to go before you’re ready. They’ll make light of the issues – don’t listen to them as their attitude creates disasters that destroy years of building  successful businesses – in days.

If you have followed the steps I have laid out, checked all the data rigorously, trained people properly and tested thoroughly there is a chance that it might work!

Please click on the link below to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Presentation 12 – Implement (Go Live)

This talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode thirteen, the final episode of this series of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

Lifestyles is the theme music and is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:22 — 9.5MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 11 – Testing

Welcome to Testing, talk eleven in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. We always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

Testing, properly carried out, is essential if your project is to have any chance of success. Far too often people skimp on testing as by the time it comes around the project is behind schedule. This has disastrous results. Skimping on testing can kill your successful business.

Problems include:

• A belief that testing is a task for others
• Testing is an IT exercise – it isn’t
• The JFDIs are impatient and want their implementation bonus
• We can sort out the mess after go-live

Anyone who believes in any of the above is not fit to be in the business. Such attitudes create disasters that the destroy years of building successful companies – in days.

Testing shows how well your training is working. It may highlight changes that you need to make.

Testing must be thorough, complete and everything must work properly before you sign off.

Please click on the link below to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Click here to access presentation 11 – Testing

The talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode twelve of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

Lifestyles is the theme music and is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:11 — 20.3MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 10 – Training

Welcome to Training, talk Ten in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. We always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

You need to have excellent training if your project is to have any chance of success. Far too often people skimp on training with disastrous results. Skimping on training can kill a successful business.

Problems include:

• Boring training material – people are turned off
• Material does not explain the Why properly – this results in no buy in
• People don’t understand the importance of ‘Best Practice’
• Training is not seen as a critical activity – even seen as optional

You need to ensure that everyone involved in the project can deliver the  material effectively. This includes you! If you can’t use the system properly you’ll have no ‘street cred’.

Lots of practical work is essential to show future users the look and feel of the system – it is essential that they can use it. Test people’s ability to use the system. Fail those who don’t pass the tests. Failures must not use the system.

Please click on the link to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Click on the link to view presentation 10 – Training

The talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode ten of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

Lifestyles is the theme music and is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:44 — 6.2MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 9 – Build

Welcome to Build, talk nine in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. We always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

Many of you in the business may think that this is where IT takes over. This is incorrect! The IT team may take the lead for the build phase but you have to play a major role. If you don’t the project will have difficulties and might fail.

• IT may write the programs but……
• There may be questions so you (the business) must provide the required clarification.
• You must ask questions because you must ensure that you understand what is being built!
• Ask questions in order to ensure that the programs fulfill the agreed requirements

Involve yourself in every stage of testing because that is how you’ll learn how to use the system. You can then use that knowledge to create training material.

Arrange demonstrations to show future users the look and feel of the system when sections have been developed and tested because this increases ‘buy in’.

Please click on the link to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Presentation for Episode 9 – Build

The talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode ten of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

The theme music Lifestyles used in this podcast is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:39 — 16.2MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 8 – Data

Welcome to data, talk eight in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. We always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

I talk about the need to take every opportunity to improve data quality. The improvement work should have started as part of the Best Practice programme. Improving quality at that stage means you will have a sound basis for your system!

Bad data:

• Reduces the value of your organisation in the eyes of its customers
• Disheartens your team
• Is environmentally incorrect – think of the wasted mail shots!
• Kills projects – dead
• In some cases you may end up in court – think GDPR.

I talk about the importance of understanding data fields and improvement benefits.

Click here for the presentation on Data

The talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

Please click on the link to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode eight of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

The theme music Lifestyles used in this podcast is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:33 — 8.7MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 7 – Listen

Welcome to Listen, talk seven in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. We always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

I talk about the need for everyone, from the top downwards, to listen. The listening should have started as part of the Best Practice programme. Listening at that stage means you will have incorporated Best Practice into the system!

Listen gives you a chance of delivering a working system that is accepted in your organisation. Listening is a task for all of the team.

The talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

Please click on the link to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Presentation 7 Listen

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode eight of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

The theme music Lifestyles used in this podcast is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:13 — 7.5MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 6

Welcome to Keeping Tight Control, talk six in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. We always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

In Keeping Tight Control I talk about the need to keep to the scope defined as part of the Best Practice programme . This means that the Project Manager will have to work hard to prevent scope creep. The Project Manager is likely to have few friends but will be respected!

Keeping Tight Control gives you a chance of delivering a working system – on time – on budget. The task is one for all the team.

The talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

Please click on the link to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Presentation – Keeping Tight Control

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode seven of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

The theme music Lifestyles used in this podcast is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:19 — 11.3MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 4

Welcome to The Team, episode four in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. In this series we always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

In The Team I talk about the need for ensuring that you have the best team that you can find. This means that you will need your most valuable business and IT members on the project as well as a carefully selected external consulting organisation. Putting the right people on the project may give you problems today but is essential for the future.

The talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

Please click on the link to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Presentation 4 – The Team

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode five of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

The theme music Lifestyles used in this podcast is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:12 — 16.7MB)

Your Big Project – Series 1 Episode 3

Welcome to Process Mapping the third episode in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. In this series we always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

In Process Mapping I talk about the need for accurate, detailed process maps before starting your project. These are an essential foundation before you start your systems project. Even the simplest process has complications that become visible when mapped.

The talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of systems projects. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

Please click on the link to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Presentation Process Maps

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode four of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

The theme music Lifestyles used in this podcast is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:12 — 15.8MB)

Welcome to Your Best Practice Programme. The second episode in the series ‘Your Big Project‘. Hopefully this series of podcasts will improve the chances of success for your project. In this series we always consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

In Your Best Practice Programme, the essential foundation before you start your systems project, we look at key building blocks for the programme.

The talk is based on the experience I have gained through my involvement in a number of Best Practice Programmes. I hope that you find it useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that you have a life changing success.

Please click on the link to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

Your Best Practice Programme presentation

This series of podcasts is also available through iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify and Stitcher.

Join me in two weeks for episode three of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

The theme music Lifestyles used in this podcast is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:58 — 14.6MB)

Welcome to Your Big Project. This series of podcasts is about improving your chances of success. In this series we will consider the good, the bad and the extremely ugly!

In episode 1 we look at the A to Z of things to ask yourself before you start your project. I have attached a set of slides to accompany the talk below.

The talk includes Best Practice, the Customer’s role, scope Elasticity, the dreaded JFDI, Kerfuffle, Vanity and Zzzzzzz amongst many other things. A different look at the alphabet but one I hope you find useful.

I hope that you gain ideas from the successes and failures of others and that your next project is a life changing success.

Please click on the link to access the .PDF slide pack for this talk:

The A to Z of questions to ask yourself.

Join me in two weeks for the next episode of Talking Business – Your Big Project.

The theme music Lifestyles used in this podcast is licensed from AKM Music.

© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019

Presentations on business processes and systems projects provided by the staff of SFRD Services Ltd., a consulting organisation, will be posted here.