While good business advice may closer than you think, some of you are walking right past it. There’s a good chance it’s just down the hall.
The problem is that you’ve ignored this resource because the people work in a different department or are at a different level in your organization. That’s a mistake.
During my time in television news, sometimes I would find myself working on a complex story, where it was a challenge to convey all of the information in 90 seconds. I needed to find out if it made sense.
While this kind of discussion should start in the newsroom, other reporters weren’t my target audience. My colleagues were up on the issues. My story’s viewers would likely know little about it beforehand and would probably be multi-tasking during its airing.
In order to to get that outsider’s perspective, I would seek out someone who was outside of the newsroom, like the station’s receptionist, janitor, or a member of the sales team. I’d explain the story and then say, “Does this make sense?”
Their response would let me me know whether I was on the right track or if I needed to rework the script.
When in search of good business advice, we tend to limit ourselves to asking our boss, other supervisors, or immediate colleagues. Consider widening that circle within your organization for these reasons:
People Like to Be Asked
By asking for advice, you’re allowing someone to play the role of hero. Most are happy to invest a few minutes in your problem.
Simply by asking, you may also provide someone with a break from a usual routine. Don’t assume you’re a burden.
It Creates Teamwork
Asking for help with a challenge creates a stronger organization because people get to learn more about one another. How many times do you walk past a colleague but have no idea what role the person performs in the business?
During a recent online chat with Human Resources professionals, the group consensus was that it was important to get out of their offices and interact with employees. This can be a priceless when planning things like the unveiling of a new initiative, which could be a source of stress for some employees.
It Values Company Culture
When I worked in TV news, I tried to keep questions about my story limited to people who were on the station’s payroll. While I could have gone out and asked servers at restaurants or gas station attendants for help, those people were likely too removed from my industry. You need a little bit of knowledge about the business.
A similar thing can happen when an outside consultant is brought in to fix a problem. The advice may be reasonable but just not fit the organization. It may feel like a one size fits all solution. Smart consultants make sure to speak to people across the business, before making a recommendation.
Conclusion
There’s likely a lot of untapped brainpower within a short distance from your desk. Don’t struggle with a problem in isolation. Seek out good business advice.
Time to bring Ken Okel to your next meeting?
