The buy-in Process
1. Agree on the problem(s)
2. Agree on the direction of the solution
3. Agree that the solution solves the problem and brings the benefits
4. Agree on predicted negative side effects and prevent them
5. Agree on implementation obstacles and objectives to overcome them
6. Agree to implement the solution.
The step most often missed in the buy-in process is step one, agreeing on the problem.
Let’s use an example from a machine shop. See if you can apply the process. First, the background story:
This machine shop has sales of about $300,000 per month. Sales and the backlog have been declining slightly over the past three months, although a new large order of about $1 million is expected at any time.
This new order is on top of normal orders, so it represents growth. Morale of the workforce has been low recently, following the end of a quarter when no profit incentive was paid out and a new no-overtime policy was announced. Pay rates for the most skilled workers have been frozen for some time.
Supervisors in the plant are trying to implement a change in the work process to cope with the increased sales without adding additional people and have been getting resistance. In fact, productivity has decreased.
What is the problem?
…to be continued.
Here’s to maximizing YOUR profits!
