Routine is both a curse and a blessing in everyday working life. On the one hand, it ensures that processes are more routine and streamlined, which significantly increases the efficiency and profitability of your company. On the other hand, it can also be "dangerous" if the view of new perspectives is blocked and operational processes are no longer assessed in a fresh way. We have summarized what you can do in management to combat operational blindness in the following article.
Operational blindness is inherent in the fact that you don't notice it. When new colleagues join the team and ask about the background to certain work processes, the answer is: "We've always done it this way". The following are warning signs of operational blindness:
If one or more of these signals apply to your company, then the traffic light is red.
If you don't reassess operational processes for a long time, you don't recognize when errors creep into your day-to-day work. You don't identify optimization potential, don't keep an eye on the competition and close the door to innovation.
An example
Imagine a doctor who treats every patient in the same way and uses the same method for 50 years. Although there have been numerous new treatment methods during this time, he is not even aware of them. What is the result? The patients look for another doctor.
Just like this doctor, companies that have become blind to their operations. They take the path of least resistance and have made themselves comfortable. It's only a matter of time before the competition finally grabs the last customer.
As mentioned at the beginning: routine increases efficiency if it is regularly put to the test. Below you will find valuable tips on how to avoid the dangerous form of routine - operational blindness - in your company.
Reflect regularly on your own way of working. Why do you act the way you do and are there ways to improve your actions?
Take the time to regularly question existing working methods. You should set a fixed date for this so that it is not forgotten.
Operational blindness often arises due to a lack of communication in everyday working life. Employees have suggestions for improvement that are not heard and fizzle out into insignificance. It is worthwhile obtaining feedback at regular intervals, for example in the form of surveys. In most cases, this results in valuable impulses that put established processes to the test.
Even if processes and approaches have proven themselves in the past, they don't have to be perfect. Keep the courage to change.
New ideas are lurking everywhere - they just need to be seen. By staying alert in your day-to-day work, you will discover these potentials and talents - ideally before the competition.
As part of a management coaching session, we provide you with further tips for your entrepreneurial success.