This Focused Performance Weblog started life as a "business management blog" containing links and commentary related primarily to organizational effectiveness with a "Theory of Constraints" perspective, but is in the process of evolving towards primary content on interactive and mobile marketing. Think of it as about Focusing marketing messages for enhanced Performance. If you are on an archive page, current postings are found here.
For clarity, when I write disparagingly about "best practices" in this blog, the practices I'm referring to are "management practices" which are based in the experience of others, and are often "benchmarked" and misapplied in different situations, supported by cookie-cutter software systems and Johnny One-Note consultants.
The handling of surgical instruments and the landing of 777s that Glen mentions fall more in the realm of "technical practices" that are in place to assure consistency where consistency is important. Doctors need to be able to expect how the nurses will hand them the scalpel. Co-pilots and ground control need to be able to trust pilots to do what is expected bringing in the aircraft.
Deviating from technical practices that have been standardized within a system, without careful consideration and preparation, can be fraught with danger and with risks to quality outcomes.
Deviating from best management practices that have become standard industry practices, with careful consideration and preparation, can be the source of significant competitive advantage.
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