Why Shortcuts in Business can be Dangerous

By: David Brewster - [business]
I love a good shortcut. Put me in heavy traffic and I will greedily dive down the first side street in search of a faster way through. A similar temptation is shared by many CEOs and managers. As time becomes more compressed, bosses increasingly take their businesses through corporate rat-runs in pursuit of the quick win. But at what cost?

In the car, shortcuts pay off more often when you know the local territory. When you don't, you can easily become hopelessly lost. Seems to me that similar rules apply to in business. Let me take you on a tour of some of the popular shortcuts which run off Business Boulevard.

Cost-Cut Crescent is a well-worn shortcut off our main road. It was designed by former Sunbeam chief Al `Chainsaw' Dunlap. Taking this side street is a great way to lighten your load in a hurry. It's a rough track though, so be careful. There is a tendency to shake off too much, making staying on the road quite difficult.

Restructure Road is another popular side street, particularly for newcomers. This shortcut can give a vehicle a new lease of life. As you travel down this road you'll need to replace or reorganise the worn parts on your vehicle. Be sure to use genuine replacements only: the wrong part in the wrong place can slow you down considerably.

Technology Terrace is perhaps the most attractive shortcut off our route. This well-lit street has it all. There are shops touting countless gadgets and gauges, programs and productivity tools all promising to speed your journey. A warning though: choose hastily and you may end up going backwards.

Product Parade has been widened considerably to accommodate increased traffic volume in the last few years. This shortcut aims to make your vehicle more attractive by giving your customers endless choices. The risk down this street is that you will become distracted trying to manage them all and take your eyes off the road.

If none of these shortcuts sound attractive to you or if they take you longer to navigate than you planned fear not. Just around the next bend you will see the turnoff to Fad Freeway. This bypass moves very quickly and holds a lot of traffic. It is hard to get off, however, and has a tendency to take the unwary driver in continuous circles.

As you can see, the side streets off Business Boulevard are very tempting. Each offers that irresistible offer of `something for nothing'. But before turning off, you would be wise to consider the risks. Sometimes, putting up with the traffic on the main road for just a bit longer will be the better choice.

After all, if everyone leaves in search of shortcuts, you'll have the main highway all to yourself!

Copyright David Brewster 2003

----------

David Brewster is a Simplicity specialist. He helps=A0managers and business owners find ways apply the principles of simplicity to the way they work, the products they create and the way they communicate.=A0David regularly writes and speaks on simplifying work as well as working with a small group of clients through his consulting firm 'Business Simplification'. Downloads and resources are available at his website: http://www.businesssimplification.com.au

>>Reprint/Distribution Source : ArticleWareHouse.com