|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 2009 60 Second Online University, a division of BKV, Inc.
By Ann Pruitt, Associate, 60 Second Communications
Using Systems Thinking can be very beneficial as you study why or how an event influenced your business. It’s a way of understanding the big picture rather than focusing on only one part of the whole. Here are some steps you can take, thanks to The Art of Systems Thinking, by O’Connor and McDermott, and Wikipedia, Systems Thinking.
1) Understand a System: Systems thinking involves observing how there are connections between events so that you can better understand and influence those events. As an example, think of the system of the human body. All the parts have to work together to make the whole work. If you twist an ankle and have to limp, next thing you know, your back hurts, and then perhaps you get sore shoulders. How about your business? To give a simplified version, if marketing is working, sales go up, so revenue increases, so marketing can go up. A system is described in The Art of Systems Thinking as “an entity that maintains its existence and functions as a whole through the interaction of its parts. The behavior of different systems depends on how the parts are related, rather than on the parts themselves. Therefore you can understand many different systems using the same principles.”
 |
|
|
|
If you enjoyed this article, you might also be interested in this helpful information: Seminars: Communications Skills for Business Using Goals, Tasks and Priorities to Drive Productivity. Articles: |
|
|
|
|
2) Find the subsystems: Systems are made up of subsystems. Again, consider your business. Marketing leads to sales, but then we realize marketing is its own system. Think of a system as a circle, with each part influencing the next, and the subsystems in their own little circles, influencing the main system.
3) Analyze the system: You can analyze a system by studying its parts, but you don’t get the whole picture. Instead, look at the entire system, because each part of the system may influence the entire system.
4) Make small changes: If you make a sweeping change among many departments without first studying the interactions among them, you are in for chaos. Instead, using Systems Thinking, make small changes in one part of the system. You must realize that an improvement in one area of a system can adversely affect another area of the system, so communication among the parts of the system is crucial. Remember, the larger the system, the longer the effects will take to surface. As an example in a smaller system, if you are the business, then perhaps you spend one more hour a day doing marketing, and see if that increased your sales. If it doesn’t, then perhaps keep the increased hour and add attendance at a new networking meeting, and look for changes. You want to avoid making large scale changes that might overwhelm the system and cause a new set of problems.
Systems Thinking has much more depth than the main concepts presented here today. But you can begin to think in a different way by considering the whole picture rather than the parts. Then consider how you can affect the system by making small adjustments.
Resources:
The Art of Systems Thinking, by O’Connor and McDermott.
Wikipedia, Systems Thinking
Ann Pruitt is an associate at 60 Second Communications and hold two -- count 'em, two -- Masters degrees, one in Management and the other in Education.
| Sign Up Today. No Spam. Unsubscribe at Any Time. |
Rhonda Hirata, Director of Marketing, San Francisco Design Center
"I'm amazed at what you offer for less than $149. There's a lot of great information in the seminars. Seriously. You guys rock!"
Davis Tucker, CEO, North by Northwest Restaurant Group
Dr. Reshma Shah, Professor of Marketing, Emory University; Partner, Inflexion Point Marketing Group
60 Second Online University is the place businesspeople around the world go for instant online training. We offer free tips, tools and techniques to help you grow your sales and revenue. We also provide fee-based online seminars that will help you grow your business or supercharge your career. C'mon in and have a look around!
Get free articles, videos and tips to grow your business delivered to your in-box. Spam-free. Unsubscribe at any time.