Organizational Decision Making Is A Strategic Process

The organizational decision making process involves proper and efficient implementation of strategic plans and methods to achieve desired business objective. Let's examine some key areas that affect the overall process.

Often one difficulty facing an organization is that multiple divisions are involved in the overall decision making process. Making a decision can have different implications for each respective division. Gaining agreement from all stakeholders can be a challenge. When a companies overall strategy depends on the support of all business units, organization wide support is crucial.

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Key strategic evaluation and planning is crucial. This planning needs to address the overall strategic goals of the organization but also the end effects that impact workers outside of the decision chain. Organizational dysfunction and worker resistance can result if proper thought and attention is not directed towards front line efforts. Organizational change professional deal specifically with these issues. Unifying the company at all levels is very important. A failure to calculate and anticipate the implications of key decisions can derail a companies goals and objectives.

Organizational Decision Making Is A Strategic Process

Organizational change management and planning processes seek to address the implications that a change in one input can have on the corresponding output. The evaluation and process evaluation that comprises part of the change management approach seeks to measure and anticipate the effect strategic decisions will have on company resources and labor. This permits the careful monitoring and benchmarking to adjust process as required to more closely align organizational objectives with desired outcomes.

With the businesses of today facing shortened product lifecycles, organizations are facing intense competitive pressures to build market share to stay ahead of rivals. Process changes, the introduction of new and improved disruptive technologies are forcing companies to adapt new business goals and objectives in shortened timeframes. This places corresponding stresses on all levels of the organization. As business units are forced to respond to top level management goals, flexibility has become a modern day requirement.

Organizational change management is a growing discipline to help managers become better positioned to understand how the decision making process can affect individuals at a cognitive level. Performance improvement is intimately linked to this. As companies transition into the future, change management is expected to become increasingly important.

Organizational Decision Making Is A Strategic Process

The Transition From Friendship to Romance - Making Your Ex Want You Back

How many of you have remained friends with your ex after a relationship has ended? Okay, you can put your hands down. Whether he suggested the friendship or you did, your main goal in staying friends was because you were probably hoping that somewhere along the line, you and your ex would start dating again. I mean hey, if you can stay close to him he can see what he's missing. Right? Right.

Well unfortunately for you, establishing a friendship with your exboyfriend is actually counterproductive to getting him back. What you're really doing is giving him all the benefits of having a close relationship with you, but without the commitment you really long for. And while this is going on, your ex gets to date anyone he wants, whenever he wants to... and you have to be happy for him! After all, you're his close friend right? Uh, right.

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Think about it: why in the world would your ex want to renew your relationship when he's already got just about everything he needs from you. Staying with him at this stage is only hurting your chances of getting back together again. Even if he loves you, he's got the closeness and companionship he desires and without the hassle of having to answer to you in a girlfriend capacity.

The Transition From Friendship to Romance - Making Your Ex Want You Back

And as far as sex goes... are you sleeping with your ex? If not, good for you. But if so, you may be making an even bigger mistake. While this may seem like harmless fun between two friends who already have an intimate history, it's completely sabotaging any chance for a future relationship with your ex boyfriend. If you really want to win him back, you need to stop shooting yourself in the foot.

As much as you feel like you need to be around him, the only true way to get your ex boyfriend back is to finally break up with him. What's that you say? You broke up a long time ago? Sorry to break it to you, but no you didn't. Your "friendship" has been acting as an unhealthy pseudo-relationship, and has prevented the both of you from having to deal with the more painful aspects of breaking up. Taking time apart, missing each other... these are the things your ex (and you yourself) never got to experience. Because of this, he's never had to face life without you in it - meaning that he's never had to make the decision to take you back.

As long as you keep up a friendly relationship with your ex boyfriend, no serious relationship will ever develop. You need to make him realize that being without you is a mistake, and that he'd much rather have you around that not have you at all. And what do you deserve? Nothing less than the role of a girlfriend. The longer you keep up your facade of being good buddies with your ex, the longer it'll take to finally get him back.

Once you made this decision, making that transition from friendship back into romance can be a little tricky. You need to part ways for a while in order to truly know where you stand. When the both of you have examined things from a solo perspective, the two of you can decide if dating again is something you want to pursue.

It's exciting to get back with an ex boyfriend! Giving your relationship a second chance is always risky, but some of the stronger relationships between couples are ones that have been tested in the past.

The Transition From Friendship to Romance - Making Your Ex Want You Back

Making the Return to Work a Smooth Transition

When You Need To Go Back

According to USA Today, 84% of stay at home moms are considering returning to work and according to the Center for Work-Life, 93% of women that left work are trying to come back. Times are a bit tough and financial difficulties can be a powerful motivation for some women to return to the work place. For other women it may be the psychological need to fully apply themselves within their talents and abilities. Maybe the children that they left their career to care for full time are now school age and so they wish to continue their career development. For whatever the reason, women wishing to re-enter the job market may face some challenges as they try to pick up where they left off in their careers. Reportedly, a whopping 26% of women hoping to return to work fail to be able to do so. Are there some ways that you can increase these odds in your favor?

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Contact Your Connections

Making the Return to Work a Smooth Transition

If you have lost contact with your former workmates, you might consider re-establishing a connection with them. They can be a valuable source of help in getting back into the work place. Not only will they likely know about available positions in the field you both shared, but they may even have some information on the newest job classifications, market needs and career trends. Besides past workmates, you have within your reach many other present and former contacts that can provide immeasurable assistance in re-establishing your career development. In essence, they can help put the word out for you that you are looking to return to your former career goals.

Take a Course or Two

While looking for a job, it's extremely advisable to brush up on your skills or even add a new one. You can't expect the demands of the job market to be the same when you left it. The terms advanced technology are defined by the fact that technology is always advancing and likewise if you wish to fit into many of today's careers you must be able to keep up with these advances in software programs, database applications or maybe website development. There is a wealth of information available for obtaining the needed skills for a successful career transition. Many programs offer online training and self-paced training as an option for meeting the educational requirements that your career of choice is looking for. Many of these courses offer additional assistance in obtaining a job like interview preparation and resume building.

Present a Positive Interview

One of the questions that you will be asked during an interview is to explain the gap in your work history. Instead of presenting this as a negative sounding period of unemployment, turn this situation into a very positive opportunity to describe the extra training and skills that you acquired during this time. Whether it be a position of responsibility with the school's PTA or leadership in a church club or even a special skill you gained while enjoying a certain hobby, you always have some productive activity that you can present in a positive and impressive way.

Smooth the Transition with Balance

Another important thing to consider when choosing the company to apply to is whether or not it will allow you to balance work with your life. It is always a good thing to check out the company's website, not only to be familiar with the company, but also to find out about its workplace requirements and policies. Do they offer an in-house daycare facility? What retirement benefits or flex plans are available? Research the company well enough to ensure that your career transition will take place smoothly.

Making the Return to Work a Smooth Transition

Military to Civilian - Tips For Making the Transition

Transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce can be an exciting new adventure, but it does come with a few challenges. Aligning separation dates, maximizing the career potential of your military skills and making relocation decisions are no simple tasks.

Unless a separation date comes on very short notice, most servicemen and women have ample time to prepare for the adjustment. The first step is to avoid the temptation to delay creating a career action plan. Making good use of time beforehand is half the battle and the key to a smooth transition. Deciding what type of job you would like to pursue, and what you're qualified to do, both require stress-free consideration.

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The good news is that you have many options. It might be a good time to return to school to further the skills you have or explore a new career altogether. It's not uncommon to want to take some time off as well. On the other hand, if you're ready to go directly into the civilian work force, there are dozens of resources waiting to assist you. Your Transition Assistance, Family Service, or Career Resource office is a good starting point. They can help you find a sense of direction and counsel you on what to expect.

Military to Civilian - Tips For Making the Transition

The second step is to have a resume that specifically addresses the value of your military skills as they relate to the civilian workplace. Many resume writers are experts in this one field. There is even a new designation for those that specialize in putting together military-to-civilian resumes called the CMRW, or Certified Military Resume Writer.

These are only two suggestions to help you get started:

militaryresumewriters.com
military.com

There's also an impressive number of recruiting firms in the military-to-civilian transition career business. They can take you through the interview process and coach you on how to handle difficult questions. Many of these are staffed by veterans who've been down the same path and give credible advice that is based on first-hand experience. That can be reassuring to know when you don't know what to expect.

Bradley-Morris, Cameron-Brooks, the Lucas Group, and Orion International are a few highly recognized names that carry good reputations. Some of the most popular military transition websites available are offered by both government and non-government entities. You'll find an amazing range of services at some of these sites:

MilitaryJobZone.com
Military.LucasCareers.com
Transition Assistance Online
VetJobs.com

They are familiar with the wide scope of support you might need and many surprising extended resources. There are links to internet blogs just for making friendly connections with other veterans who are walking in your same shoes. You'll also notice a number of career fairs, salary calculators, newsletters, hotlines, and yet more job hunting tips.

Some of these websites emphasize the fact that many employers are hoping to only those candidates with military experience - in case you were wondering if there's a demand for your experience. In addition, none of the sites overlook the need for family support and serve to provide other encouraging news - so it isn't entirely job related information.

As you can probably tell, there's a wealth of resources available to help you make a smooth transition. It's important to find the right fit and determine which of those sources have what you need to make it all happen. The fact is, it can happen, and by now, you have a better idea of where to start.

Military to Civilian - Tips For Making the Transition

The Apprentice Leader - Making The Transition to Leadership

Every year, thousands of men and women are "promoted" from individual contributor to a position where they're responsible for the performance of a group. It's one of the hardest transitions there is.

Even when the choice is a good one, consciously made by the individual, it's a tough transition. Job, role, and support group change in the instant of promotion. Habits developed over years to make a person productive now may have the opposite affect.

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Most of the time, the new boss is give little to no effective training in how to handle all the newness. Most of the time, he or she is expected to be productive right away. Most of the time there is no built-in support system to help with the transition.

The Apprentice Leader - Making The Transition to Leadership

We would do things differently using an apprenticeship model. Here's how thing might work.

The transition period isn't measured in days or even weeks. It's measured in months. Specifically it usually has three phases. Each phase lasts three to six months, for a total time of nine to eighteen months.

In the first two phases, the new boss tries out different ways of being a boss. He or she will have a period where they act very "boss-like," ordering people around. He or she will have a period where the goal is to be everyone's buddy. Without guidance or help a leader may get stuck in one of those ways and stay there for the rest of his or her career.

When the new boss makes a successful transition, he or she will have a phase where, knowing what doesn't work, the emphasis is on balance. Effective training and support can help shorten the boss and buddy phases and help assure that the new boss moves into balance and a successful transition.

New bosses should receive some basic training and role orientation as soon after promotion as possible. There should be exercises that help the new boss understand his or her new role, and tht helps the new leader understand the transition process.

There should also be some basic training in the skills the new boss will need on the job. In every organization that will include setting clear and reasonable expectations, checking for understanding, following up to assure that understanding turns into performance, analyzing supervisory issues, coaching and counseling, and delivering consequences.

There should also be organization-specific training dealing with senior management expectations, recurring activities and administrative duties. New bosses should be able to hear from more senior and successful bosses about how to do a good job. The new bosses should be able to question the seniors.

After the initial training session, there should be short sessions every few weeks for the duration of transition period to deal with specific transition issues. Before they leave initial training, new leaders should have identified role models and learned how to assess and improve their own performance.

There should also be help waiting when they get back to the job. Second level bosses should receive special training in their mentoring role during the transition process.

There should also be a senior manager with responsibility to help the new leader learn to handle his or her new responsibilities, role and duties. The new leader should be part of a peer support group for all managers.

The transition from individual contributor to leader is one of the hardest in business. Part of the reason we have so many awful managers is that we don't select well and then don't help new leaders learn their role. Putting the effort into managing an effective transition process for new leaders will help assure that more of the people we promote will succeed in their new jobs and in all the jobs they move up to.

The Apprentice Leader - Making The Transition to Leadership

Questions to Ask When Making a Career Transition

I work with many clients who are moving through a career transition. The desire for a transition comes from different places and for different reasons. Transitions can be made with intention or accelerated through circumstance. Wherever you are, these questions can help you make choices that align with your wants, needs and values.

WHY do you want this transition?
Whether you are making this transition by choice or as the result of a layoff, understanding why you want it will help you get started on your path. This involves looking beyond the income to your deeper reason. Your why could include a better fit for your lifestyle, a better fit with your passions and strengths, the opportunity to make a great impact, and much more. A good place to start figuring out your why is to consider your values, what matters most to you in your life right now.

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WHAT do you want?
Transitions can take many different forms, from changing roles, to changing industries, responsibilities and environments. Understanding what you want means more than just choosing your next job title. It starts with a look back to the experiences and environments that brought out the best in you and helped you grow into who you are today. The next step is to look at what you want for your future including how you want to continue to grow, what types of new experiences you want to have, and how large a role you want your career to play in your overall life. Creating a vision for what you want in the form of a story can be a powerful way to capture all of this information. You want your vision to be clear enough that you can see yourself doing, being or having it, but not so clear that is too finite or tied to one path of achievement.

Questions to Ask When Making a Career Transition

WHO do you want to work with and/or for?
Our careers are much more than our job titles. We can play the same role in several organizations and have very different experiences within each. That is why who your work with and for is so important to consider. Think about the type of organization you want to work for, including what service/product they deliver, how they deliver it, and what matters most to them (their organizational values). Who also includes the clients or customers you will be working with and for, what they care about and why they do business with this organization. Your colleagues and especially your manager/leader play a key role in your satisfaction and success in your career so take time to consider what qualities and traits you are seeking in those connections as well.

WHERE do you want to go - which environments are a best fit for you?
Environments include your physical space, expectations and support. Think about your needs - the conditions that help you do and be your best. Do you thrive the most in a structured or unstructured work culture? Do you do your best work when part of a team or as a leader (or both)? What pace of work do you prefer? These questions and more are important to ask yourself to help you choose your next opportunity.

HOW will you need to stretch or shift?
All transitions involve some changes to your level of activity, your thoughts, perspective and/or behavior. Your plan may include additional education, skill building, new people to meet, a different lifestyle, a risk or leap. The success of our transition is determined by many factors out of our locus of control. What is within our sphere of influence are the choices we make, who we show up as every day, how we handle the unknown and our thoughts about what is possible to achieve.

Time to Prioritize
I have shared many things to consider as you embark on your career transition. Not all of these will matter to you, and some will matter much more than others. Prioritize according to what you believe is right for you and most of all, enjoy the process of your journey while walking toward your goal.

Questions to Ask When Making a Career Transition