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As usual with business people, the author seems to believe their [simplified strategy] (no excuses) is what caused the outcome they describe. I think it's more

by tabeth 10y ago

As usual with business people, the author seems to believe their [simplified strategy] (no excuses) is what caused the outcome they describe. I think it's more likely from the article that the organization simply became more efficient as a result of said "no excuses culture", but it isn't actually the lack of excuses that did much. Why isn't it OK to just say "it's complicated; here's what we did" instead of trying to reduce it into some meaningless phrase. I think this pretty much says it: > By accountable I meant, “We agreed on a delivery date, and between now and the delivery date, it’s OK if you ask for help because you’re stuck, or something happened outside of your control. But do not walk into my office the day something is due and give me an excuse. It will cost you your job.” That kind of accountable. --- What's an excuse? Most dictionaries define it as some variant of "justifying" an event. Some editorialize and use words such as: apologizing for, or making light of. Let's just take the essence, justification. Therefore, a "no excuses culture" is a culture in which there's no justification for events. Such a culture will likely fail in the long run as it fails to acknowledge the blind spot it's purposely ignoring. I doubt any business people would be proud of not knowing why they're missing targets...

watwut 10y ago
I think that successs had nothing to do with excuses and a lot more to do with "my groups inside of marketing had become dumping grounds for projects from both inside and outside of marketing – with everything being “priority one.” [...] We quickly put in a capacity/priority planning process." I bet a hat that it was primary the prioritization and planning process that did the trick.
- SerLava 10y ago
  Yeah, he rallied around the "no excuses" mantra because it felt good. And sure enough, halfway down the page he says the department dramatically reduced the amount of work intake. Gee. It seems like most of the excuses could be boiled down to "Well, you told me to complete a project, but then later you told me not to complete it, so I didn't."
  - watwut 10y ago
    That is another thing. The maximum total amount of work I can do is incompatible with making sure I always do everything on time. E.g. when I see deadlines as super important, I am more risk averse in terms of how much I attempt. I will spend less time helping colleges if my deadline may be in danger. I will refuse unplanned urgent tasks. I may finish on time but with lower quality and will leave myself buffers in planning. That may be good thing if promised deadline is really important. If the total output is more important, I will do what is the most effective action now. E.g. instead of spending time pressing on third parties to give me information, I will work on what I have information for now and leave them proceed at their own pace. Again, that may be good thing if deadline is less important then effectivity.
- valuearb 10y ago
  I bet it wouldn't have been fixed without the ultimatum.

by tabeth 10y ago

watwut 10y ago

I think that successs had nothing to do with excuses and a lot more to do with "my groups inside of marketing had become dumping grounds for projects from both inside and outside of marketing – with everything being “priority one.” [...] We quickly put in a capacity/priority planning process." I bet a hat that it was primary the prioritization and planning process that did the trick.

SerLava 10y ago
Yeah, he rallied around the "no excuses" mantra because it felt good. And sure enough, halfway down the page he says the department dramatically reduced the amount of work intake. Gee. It seems like most of the excuses could be boiled down to "Well, you told me to complete a project, but then later you told me not to complete it, so I didn't."
- watwut 10y ago
  That is another thing. The maximum total amount of work I can do is incompatible with making sure I always do everything on time. E.g. when I see deadlines as super important, I am more risk averse in terms of how much I attempt. I will spend less time helping colleges if my deadline may be in danger. I will refuse unplanned urgent tasks. I may finish on time but with lower quality and will leave myself buffers in planning. That may be good thing if promised deadline is really important. If the total output is more important, I will do what is the most effective action now. E.g. instead of spending time pressing on third parties to give me information, I will work on what I have information for now and leave them proceed at their own pace. Again, that may be good thing if deadline is less important then effectivity.
valuearb 10y ago
I bet it wouldn't have been fixed without the ultimatum.