Quick Money
By Nelsy Salden-Rebbens
Busy, busy, busy. In twenty years, I never once sat in a spot where I could look out of the window. The world was changing fast. And faster. Systems had to be replaced, structures adapted, laws and regulations implemented. And the shop was still open as usual.
This isn’t fast...
A great deal of time is spent preparing for decision-making. Well-thought-out plans. Commas and dots are rearranged. Getting to know one another, including the initial challenges. Refining and discussing, whilst the practical implementation is still pending.
Rarely is a decision at this stage perceived as being too hasty.
And rarely have I seen an extensive planning phase lead to successful execution.
From kick-off to deadline
Then, finally, the decision. The kick-off to the deadline.
Almost immediately, the differences become apparent. Between planning purists and pragmatic opportunists. Is the plan a free pass to proceed, or is the intention to follow the plan? If anyone knows, please bring me up to speed.
Impatience grows as the deadline draws nearer. Decision-making speeds up. It becomes increasingly implicit. Consequences, risks and objectives fall out of focus. The blame shifts to the future.
Because the deadline is approaching.
The voices grow louder. Our vision of why we were actually doing this begins to fade.
The client.
The employee.
The person.
Plans, implementation and decisions only count if we keep a close eye on things.
A deadline isn’t alive. It never was.