When I built my house, I was determined to become better equipped at taking care of those handyman tasks that often are required as a homeowner. I had owned several homes previously and had always hired help to resolve those handyman tasks but now, I decided, it was time to learn how to do it myself.

I should have known better. I had gone down this road before when I took a car mechanic class after graduate school and was trained on how to work on my engine. Halfway through the class, it became clear that mechanic skills were not in my sweet spot of skills or interest. Plus, I had learned that I did not enjoy that work.

So, when I had to put up shelves in my newly built home, I should have remembered that car mechanics class. Because I ended up not doing a very good job – and was reminded again, that some tasks are not aligned with the best use of our skills and talents.  

Do not misunderstand. I think we all should be learning new skills and acquiring more knowledge all the time. However, sometimes, we spend our valuable time on trying to solve a problem that could be more quickly and easily resolved by someone else. Learning a skill that does not interest us and/or where we have low aptitude to learn, is not necessarily the best use of our time, energy, and/or resources.

I now know that working on my car’s engine or trying to do house repairs are going to take me much longer to get done and at a less than acceptable outcome. Plus, I do not remotely enjoy doing either. Therefore, hiring a mechanic and handyman to do those tasks allows me time to focus on what I do well and to concentrate on learning new skills in areas where I can bring the most value.  

My COO Resources was designed by the folks at Aldridge Kerr (www.aldridgekerr.com) who have decades of experience identifying and addressing operational challenges. We can solve your operational challenges much more quickly than you can in most situations and we will probably do it better. Why? Because that is what we know how to do! We also know that we are not experts at everything, so we bring in resources regularly to help us solve those problems that we are not qualified to solve.

Let us solve your operational issues so you can focus on what you do best. Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. And check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com

Have you ever had a time in your life when you could not sleep? It could have been because some issues/challenges in your life were keeping you awake. Or, it could have been because of illness. There are a multitude of reasons why we cannot sleep.

Regardless of the reason why sleep evades you, lack of sleep can have a huge impact on how we function during the day.

Then, when we get a good night’s sleep, it makes all the difference in the world. In fact, if we have been sleep-deprived, we often do not realize how it is impacting us. We begin to settle with “less than” because we learn to adjust. Then, when we finally get that much-needed-sleep, we recognize the challenges it was presenting.

It is those seemingly little things that can make a huge difference. Recently, I was meeting with a Business Owner and he expressed some frustration on how he was spending so much time on a specific task. I recommended to him a little tweak on how he could perform that task and he was so excited because he knew that this little change would make such an improvement.

Similar to getting enough sleep, sometimes we need help with something that is causing frustration and aggravation and once we know what to do, it can make a big difference.

My COO Resources is like that… it provides the roadmap to solve issues that are taking too much time and energy – and sometimes all it takes are little changes to make a huge difference. Or, it may require some major rework to resolve that issue. My COO Resources provides the step-by-step process to address those issues that you, as the User, identified.

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. And check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com

While on vacation in Mexico, a woman bought four decorative tile numbers to create a plaque of her address similar to what is shown here:

Once the numbers were glued to a wood plaque, it was ready to add to the front yard. The woman spent some time deciding where to place it. Should it be placed on the front of the house? What about in the flower bed closest to the house? Or, maybe on the big tree would work?

There were a multitude of ideas. As the woman continued to consider her options, she realized that whatever choice she made, she wasn’t sure how to best mount it. Each option would require some installation and she was unsure what that would involve.

This is a reminder that although we often know what we need to do to solve a problem we are also unsure how to accomplish that. For some, knowing how to mount a wood plaque is easy. However, there are other tasks that are well outside that person’s knowledge and expertise.

That is the value of Consultants, Expert Tools, and Resources: realizing we are not experts at everything and being wise enough to tap into the solutions available to help us determine the “how” of resolving our issues.

If you recognize that you need to build a strong operational foundation for sustainability and growth and do not want to use Consultants or hire more Staff and/or prefer a do-it-yourself, less expense resource, My COO Resources is that alternative to help you identify and resolve what needs to be done.

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. Check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com

Have you heard the saying "it was the straw that broke the camel’s back?" It seems that a camel can carry over 800 pounds. So, it has the capacity to carry an exceptional amount of weight.

If we follow that line of thinking, a single straw weighs almost nothing and yet, it broke the camel’s back. What was that straw that caused the final breaking point? How did it end up on the camel in the first place? Was the camel already carrying straw and this was too much of the same? Was the straw something new and different that caused that broken back?

Visually, you can imagine what happened to the 800 plus pounds of items already on the camel’s back. All of those items were scattered about and fell off. Quite possibly, some of the items were ruined and no longer useable. Clearly that little straw… that one more thing… had bigger implications and impact than could have been imaged.

This saying infers that it is a small, seemingly minor, incident that can result in disaster.

So, as you run your organization/company/area of responsibility, are you one step away from having a straw break you? Are you one step removed from potential wreckage?

Today, many of us are stretched thin, balancing lots of responsibilities, dealing with conflicting priorities. Like the camel, some of us are on the brink of that straw causing it all to tumble down.

What, for you, is that straw that would break your back? Where are you the most vulnerable? Do you even know?

Through My COO Resources' Simple Start Assessments, you can identify your Company’s biggest issues so you can avoid that “last straw.”  Take that first step by registering for free at www.mycooresources.com.

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. Check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com

When I returned from vacation in June as I was unpacking, I misplaced my Fitbit. This was a new problem for me as that had never happened. I knew it was “misplaced” versus being “lost” because when I attempted to synch it to my phone, I was able to do so. This meant it was somewhere in the general vicinity or it would not synch.

Even though I knew what general area it was in my house, I could not locate it. Finally, after numerous unsuccessful attempts, I looked on their website for help. A specific app was recommended to download to help locate a misplaced Fitbit. However, after numerous attempts, the app did not help me to get any closer to locating it.

I would routinely synch it to my phone and the synch would work so it reinforced the general area where it was. Realizing the app was not working, I did further research and I discovered another app I could download. This one helped me locate the misplaced Fitbit. Problem solved! It is back on my wrist.

Often we know we have a problem (in this case, a misplaced Fitbit) but the solutions we try are not solving the problem. It may get us close, but it does not resolve it. Finding the RIGHT solution is the key. “Close” to solving the problem is unacceptable. We need to find a solution that actually fixes it.

This is one of my favorite things about My COO Resources. It is a tool that helps solve operational issues. It is based on over 20 years of experience working with Companies and solving their operational issues. It also uniquely identifies each Company’s issues based on the information the User provides. The combination of experience and User-specifics creates an opportunity for the Company to determine what operational challenges are causing the biggest obstacles to its ongoing success.

Do not be satisfied with just being “close enough.” Use a tool that pinpoints exactly what your operational issues are and then provides a roadmap to begin to resolve those issues.

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact me at  CharleneA@mycooresources.com. Also, check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com

A Landscaper recently mentioned to me that a prospective Customer asked him to look at his lawn. The Homeowner’s complaint was that the grass was not growing and that the bushes along his home were in really bad shape. When the Landscaper arrived, he asked how often the Homeowner watered his yard. The Homeowner’s response was: “I don’t like to water my lawn because using water is expensive.”

Have you heard about the guy who says he wants six-pack abs like he had in high school but he eats lots of potato chips, pizza, and soda and has not worked out in a decade? Or the woman who says she wants to lose weight but refuses to be active and give up desserts every day?

On the business front, Company Leaders claim they want to grow their business, but they also know they do not have a clue how to do that and do not want to be bothered with a Marketing and Sales Plan. Or, they do not want to do the work that it takes to stay in front of prospects and work their leads.

Why is that we do not do what we know we should do to solve a problem? As the adage goes, “you can lead the horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.”

A colleague of mine recently commented that 80% of folks are not willing to do the work that should be done to accomplish what they say they want. I hope you are in the 20%.

I regularly hear Company Leaders say they need help in a given area of expertise (Marketing, Sales, HR, Operations, etc.); yet, they do not take that first step to get the help they need. None of us can make someone else take that step. It is a choice. Just like the horse being led to the water; only the horse can take the final step to drink the water.

My COO Resources is designed to help Company Leaders identify the operational issues that are obstacles to overcome for further growth and sustainability. But it requires getting started and taking that first step.

Take that first step by registering for a FREE Simple Start Membership at  www.mycooresources.com. If you need help, I can help. Contact me at  CharleneA@mycooresources.com. Also, check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com

We are an impatient society. We want what we want and we want it now; and the world in which we live supports that:

• We want to buy something, we simply go on-line, order it and in some cases, it will arrive the same day.
• We are hungry and don’t want to cook, we can order a wide variety of options and have the food delivered in 30 minutes.
• Depending on where we buy our groceries, we can have them delivered or order them and then pick them up without even getting out of our cars.

This creates unrealistic expectations in many areas of our lives. If we want to master a skill, it takes more than a day to learn it. If we have an injury, it takes more than one visit to a Physical Therapist for it to be better. If we want to lose 10 pounds, it takes more than a one-week change of eating habits. If we want to become fit, one workout will not accomplish that.

This desire for immediate solutions and/or gratification can impact our ability to achieve greatness. The reality is that some of what we want cannot be achieved within a day – or a week – or a month. For those areas in our lives that require change, we must consider putting in the work.

Those who have achieved much success in their lives confirm this:

• Michael Jordan, the great NBA basketball player said: “I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don’t do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results.”
• Colin Powell, U.S. Secretary of State and retired four-star general once said: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”
• Pele, Brazilian footballer (soccer) player shared: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”

Commitment to anything takes, well, commitment. Such is the same with using My COO Resources. It is not a magic bullet that will solve your Company’s operational challenges in a day. It requires dedication to work through the Solutions so that your Company can achieve operational effectiveness. We recommend a Company commit to 60 minutes a week for addressing the operational issues identified through the Simple Start Assessments. Four hours a month to begin seeing improvements within your Company is a small commitment that over several months will reap change within your Company.

Get started today to begin working towards building a strong operational foundation for your Company.  Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. And check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com

My dog, Maggie gets quite anxious when I take her on flights with me. So, the Vet prescribed medication to help her to relax before we leave for the airport.

I usually keep everything for her, including her medication in a specific location. However, after using it the first time, I decided to store the bottle of the medication somewhere with the idea that “I only need it when I take Maggie with me on a trip.”

 So, when we were getting ready for our next trip, I couldn’t remember where I had put the medication. I spent WAY TOO MUCH time looking for those pills. I remembered thinking that putting it somewhere “different” would be an excellent idea. But it became very clear after looking… and looking… and looking for it, that it wasn’t the smartest decision I had made!!

Keeping everything (Maggie’s treats, dog food, monthly pill, etc.) in one location makes it very easy to locate what I need. So, when I deviated from this, it wasted time, caused frustration, and was unproductive.

It reminded me of the value of establishing one consistent process to do something and sticking with it. It was obvious because having a new process every time I do something causes a big waste of time and often leads to frustration. Even if the process is not the most efficient, performing it the same way each time reduces errors, confusion, and time.

We at My COO Resources and Aldridge Kerr encourage our Clients to first establish a consistent method (i.e., process) to perform their tasks. It is the first step towards efficiency and effectiveness.

Want help in creating consistency? Sign up to take the Simple Start Assessments at www.mycooresources.com, then upgrade your membership to begin solving those operational issues identified.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. And check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com

In my earlier days, one of my past times was playing golf. I would never be confused with Nancy Lopez or Michelle Wie but it was fun and I liked the challenge of trying to improve my game. I took golf clinics and hired a golf pro to improve my game. However, I couldn’t seem to improve my driving distance. I would go to the driving range once or twice a week and practice. I would ask advice from much more skilled golfers. I would complain that I just could not seem to fix the problem.

Then, John from my Staff came into my office and suggested we go to the driving range together and he could maybe give me some pointers. He already had credibility in my head because he had played golf for a large, respected university.

When we arrived, John had me start hitting balls as he watched. I had only hit a third of the basket when he said “I see your problem.” I looked at him with skepticism and said: “you haven’t seen me hit very many balls, how can you already know?” He smiled and said, “let’s just try what I am suggesting. Take your hands and move them 1/4 of inch on the club.” I looked at him with frustration. “That can’t make a difference,” I complained. “Just try it,” he responded.

I moved my hands on the club 1/4 inch and hit the ball. It sailed twice as far as I normally hit it. I looked at John in amazement. “Hit another one,” he said; I did. I kept hitting the ball with my hands only 1/4 inch from where I usually had them on the clubs, and the ball soared consistently twice as far as I had ever hit one before.

I was awestruck. How could only ¼ of inch make such a difference? But it did.

So what are the lessons learned:

1. I knew I had a problem but I had no idea how to solve it
2. I needed an Expert that could diagnosis and resolve the problem.
3. It didn’t take much, but boy what a difference.

What does this have to do with My COO Resources….

1. Many Companies have operational challenges that they just do not know how to fix. What is worse, these challenges could result in unhappy Customers, delays in delivering your product or service, too many errors, and wanting to grow but unsure what needs to do to allow this, etc.
2. You know you need help but are unsure where to get it – like my experience with golf, I needed an Expert to help me resolve my issue
3. It often doesn’t take much – just some commitment to trying something new and then making it happen

My COO Resources was designed based on 20+ years of operational experience. It will identify the operational issues, provide proven expertise, and with just a little effort, get you on the road to improvement. Get started today by registering at www.mycooresources.com.

By the way, this makes me want to take up golf again. Enjoy!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. And check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com

The great Green Bay Packer’s coach, Vince Lombardi, was committed to clarity and focusing on the fundamentals. He was known for starting each football season by holding up a ball and stating, “This, gentlemen, is a football.”

Coach Lombardi believed that the basics, the fundamentals, and clarity were the foundation for doing football well.

Having clarity as to what is important is a wonderful attribute. I recently read Chip Ingram use this acronym: GBTTB, which stands for Get Back to the Basics. Another well known acronym: KISS (Keep it simple, sweetheart) echoes the same thought.

Yet, if you are anything like me, I sometimes get caught up in the complexity. I need to remind myself that clarity and focus wins out every time.

We at My COO Resources (www.mycooresources) and Aldridge Kerr (www.aldridgekerr.com) use a simple, yet highly effective method of identifying our Critical Processes and then focusing on those processes whenever things get too complex. By having clarity on what processes are most important to a Company’s success, then when there is too much to do, the focus and priorities become clear: to work on those tasks (processes) that are most critical.

This approach is so simple that it can get underappreciated. If we consistently recognized the power of what our Company’s priorities should be, we could accomplish so much more.

We believe that knowing a Company’s Critical Processes is so important that it is the first solution that a Company completes once upgrading one’s My COO Resources’ membership. So regardless of what a Company’s operations issues are, identifying their Critical Processes provides the foundation for clarity and focus.

Want help in identifying your Critical Processes? Sign up to take the Simple Start Assessments at www.mycooresources, then upgrade your membership so you can walk step-by-step through the Critical Processes Solution and identify those processes that are most critical to your Company’s success.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me at CharleneA@mycooresources.com. And check out our blogs and previous newsletters and/or emails at http://www.mycooresources.com/?page_id=324

– Charlene Aldridge
CharleneA@mycooresources.com