Everyone needs tools.

Since my last post about the Edgeware course, I have attended two events in program.

The first was a day long session "Backpack" facilitated by Dr Ian Dover of Alitek Consultants.

Ian's approach to business is to summed up by five principles he introduced us to:

1. Use simple thinking and tools, "adding complexity to cope with complexity is a seriously flawed approach".

2. Solve problems consistently. Now, where how. Look at where you are now, assume you are very successful (ie where you want to be) and then devise the strategies that will get you there (the how).

3. Use 80/20 thinking. This was very new to me - but this relates to the idea that the great majority of inputs only have marginal impact, eg "20% of your effort will gie you 80% of the the results". So really target your activities.

4. Understand customer value. That is, understand what your customer wants, needs, desires to be successful.

5. The wisdom of crowds. Great advice here. Ian says planning is a social process so get the opinions of those that you respect. This idea is a favourite of Michael Doneman of Edgeware.

Working in a setting which is not typical, I don't manufacture something to sell, these concepts take alot of absorbing to apply in the context of consulting to NGO's and government. Essentially my product is labour and intellectual property. Although, I am developing training content around 'Understanding homelessness'.

Some of the tools that Ian shared with us were useful in understanding 'where to start' what are my priorities, where am I going.

These tools are so practical they have wider application. NGOs also have to think about what next and how do we get their would find these tools useful.

A valuable day and I got to touch an Iphone for the first time!! Nimer Jaber sells computer equipment including Macs. Nimer let me fondle it! It was beautiful..... But we won't be seeing them in Australia for sometime apparently.

Have a great day to all.
Michelle