Elements of Enterprise

Use this as a checklist when identifying gaps, preparing an activity or monitoring / evaluating a person, department or event.

CONCEPTS – knowledge to be gained regarding business functions

Customer Needs
function, performance and interaction requirements
EVERYTHING HANGS OFF THIS PARAMETER!
Innovation Process
idea>prototype>scale up>end product
Risk
loss minimisation
Continuous Improvement
better next time
Manufacturing
materials, methods, machinery, manpower
Marketing
is there a need? Where? Maximising potential.
Finances
real costs and profit
Quality Systems
fit for purpose. How good? Review and adapt
Customer Service
always right? Repeat orders.
Organisation / Administration
the oil in the wheels, ensuring that people are recruited, trained and paid, and that materials get bought and products distributed.
Change Control
small changes can lead to global effects
Regulatory Issues
what must be done to stay in business?

SKILLS – for life, improve with experience

Problem Solving
Identification of root cause, effects and required output
Decision Making
Options, criteria, responsibility
Time Management
Respect for the time of others; every second counts
Negotiation
Getting to a win-win outcome
Team Work
Roles and attitudes
Communication
How, how much, how often?
Analysis
Data gathering and review
Leadership
Delegation and control
Planning
Quality, time and costs
Budgeting
Optimising resources
Risk Management
What happens when?

ATTITUDES – to be nurtured

Motivation
What’s the incentive? Where is the improvement?
Responsibility
Take the praise and the blame
Open Mindedness
No such thing as a stupid idea
Achievement Orientation
We will get there!
Creative Thinking
How else can it be done?
Can Do
What’s stopping us?
Change
We can cope with different ways/places; we can do better
Opportunism
Identifying, creating, assessing and using opportunities
Flexibility
You want to do it how?
Self Improvement
How much better can I do?