By GREGORY SMITH
Business Columnist

The Scud missiles flamed toward their targets behind friendly lines in Saudi
Arabia and Israel. We were in the Persian Gulf War and Iraq unleashed another
salvo of airborne lethality. Air raid sirens sent both America soldiers and
news media people into their bunkers beneath the surface. At any second the
missile could explode on the military base. Except a few foolhardy reporters
and a couple of remote video cameras, no one was standing in the open.
Deep underground in a protected bunker, an American soldier talked to his wife
back at Ft. Benning, Ga., via cellular phone. His wife was glued to the
television watching live coverage on CNN of the same missile attack. Blow by
blow, moment by moment, she relayed the information back to her husband via the cell phone. Like a military command post, she told him when the attack was
over and when it was clear to return outside.
This spouse, like millions of others has learned how to innovatively manage
information. A few years ago these same electronic tools were available only
to a small number of people. Today, half the modern world has access to them.
Innovative leaders can improve productivity, reduce costs and increase
efficiency by adopting new business skills as the ones below.

Tool 1-Learn to Web-"Webbing" means the ability to pull together groups of
people and resources to get the job done. The ladder of success and longevity
is disappearing in many organizations. At Rubbermaid and W.L. Gore &
Associates use teams that form and disband to move onto the next project.
Rank, pay-grade and position are becoming irrelevant in the innovative
organization. As a "webber" interpersonal skills are just as important and
technical skills. Interpersonal skills are valuable assets that people need to
bring to any organization.

Tool 2-Use the Technology-In many cases, staying competitive and productive may depend on staying up with the latest technology. In 1990, computer controlled
18% of the functions at Ford. In 1994, it had increased to 82 percent. As
individuals or as organizations we need to know what is available to make us
more productive. Whether it is the latest software program, CBT, virtual
reality, or the latest version of robotics, we need to stand ready to apply it
to our work environment.

Tool 3-Build Relationships-All businesses today must bridge gaps and help to
provide for the interpersonal needs within the workforce. The information
explosion is causing people to spend more time with a computer terminal.
Stress and job pressures are taking a big toll and having negative
consequences. The increase in technology requires a corresponding increase of
soft-sided management. Workers value the social aspects of their job very
high. Old-fashioned kindness, consideration and recognition are critically
important in this age of high technology and rapid change.

Tool 4-Paint a Big Picture-It is important to convey a challenging vision that
lets everyone know how their job relates to the big picture. A vision lets the
individual people within the organization know what the organization stands
for, where it is heading and how it will reach its destination. Communicate
all plans, goals and objectives to everyone within the organization.

Tool 5-Seek the Skills-Stephen Covey says, ÏI believe that about one-fourth of
the workforce today is obsolete or almost obsolete, and that this is getting
worse as the old paradigm persists that school is over when you finish
school.Ó The innovative leader seeks trainers, consultants or whatever
resources are needed to keep the workforce finely tuned and capable of
performing at maximum efficiency. To do this requires continuous training and
education. The nation's most valuable resource is people's ideas, skills and
creative potential. Our greatest advantage comes from capitalizing on these
resources.

Free by fax: If you would like the free leadership assessment, please fax your
letterhead and name with the words ÏLeadershipÓ to 770-760-0581.

Gregory P. Smith lives in Conyers, Georgia. He helps organizations solve
problems and build more productive work environments. For further information
please call (770)860-9464 or send E-mail to greg@chartcourse.com.You can find more information and business tips at www.chartcourse.com

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