Out of Chaos comes a rocket...

Last week has been chaotic, with a lot and lot of changes coming.   As we are transforming to become a ‘web site’ factory from an operational company – we are now pushing our limits – and discovering breaking points.

It feels chaotic, and stressful, and a bit out of control. BUT its Good!

By pushing hard, I have been able to see our critical path places, and that is enabling me to see where we need to expand.   To be honest, I though we where slightly farther along – and in a slightly better position to execute faster.

What...

Making structural changes...

Started the day off with Senior Management meeting, with discussion centered around the org chart. I shared it with the Senior Management, and got interesting feedback. Overall I think the overall change will be good – created two new positions – Site Manager – who will have P&L responsibility for the site. In addition, clarified where the site design responsibility lies (marketing) and identified a need for an iT strong PM.

The goal of the structure is to ensure that I have one person responsible and accountable for each site. Further...

Cerebral Day...

Today was a big thinking day.   My mind has been singly tasked occupied on the org structure – execution – team setup.

As a segway, I looked up today the ‘functions’ of a CEO. Here is a quote

What is the CEO’s main duty? Setting strategy and vision. The senior management team can help develop strategy. Investors can approve a business plan. But the CEO ultimately sets the direction. Which markets will the company enter? Against which competitors? With what product lines? How will the company differentiate itself? The CEO decides,...

Read More

Organizing for speed...

Most of the day today was spent mulling over on how to organization should look, reporting structure, accountability structure that will allow us to go for ultra growth. In the months before I had Mina pegged to manage this, but with Minas departure I have more specialized positions that are opened up – but also that require more coordination.

it would seem like a simple task but with Matri

The Matrix...

Very early start today – around 5am. No particular reason – but up with lots of ideas.

So, first, thinking of how to organize the company for rapid execution – we are stretched fairly thin – so in terms of hierarchal teams not enough people to staff independent project teams (not yet at least). So matrix structure came to mind. But with that in mind I asked the EO crew about experience with matrix organizations in China – and the answer was a resounding “NO”. Basically culturally top down with clear lines of authority is...

Organizing...

This whole week I have been under the weather – and although some big ideas moved forward I fell behind on a bunch of smaller admin things.   So, this morning, over a latte, with my iPad in hand I went through all my emails and added tasking to my ToDo list. 

As as aside, I find, I quite like the iPad for task management and organization, and then my laptop for handling emails, design, etc.

So, on my iPad I organized my tasks and todo’s – and basically got on top of the ‘pile’.  From there, I spend a few hours in the office, working...

Onwards and forwards...

Friday was a busy day – I’m still a bit under the weather – so focusing has been a bit of a challenges.  In these cases, I basically try to plan harder and tasks things.  In this case, I worked on a few admin tasks such as getting PayPal accounts opened up for myjewelerycove.com, etc. and provisioning additional payment gateways.  In theory you would think this could be delegated out, but this stuff crosses financial, technical and business side – so – you have to know corporate entities, names, registrations, need to know email accounts, URL callbacks,...

Under the weather but moving...

Last few days I’ve been under the weather but nevertheless things are moving along really well. The HR department’s working great. Their own boarding are open to people so things are just moving along. Basically, the way its working is an approval shows up through shared point for me to approve a job position and then from thereon it just happens. And it’s really great. So we’ve been able to on-board the people that we need. One of the people we’re on-boarding is a graphic designer to look at the new site myjewelrycove. And we’re redoing...

Creativity cannot be rushed...

It would seem I spent not so much time ‘working’ this week.  Two full days I had to spend on personal issues and put a lot of energy into getting that chapter closed.   But yet, despite that, I feel like in this week we have made more progress than in 2 months before!  Right – basically – with things are really clicking – clicking fast – and thing are moving.  

My accounting holes are plugged, and daily responsibilities transferred over.   Financial data is coming back, its meaningful and decision enabling. ...

Busy good Monday...

I had a pretty good busy day today. Ended up having out senior management meeting at about 2:00. So things are moving really fast forward.

We discussed our, kind of new corporate strategy and how we’re going to package up bread stored and all the sites and how we’re going to fit in. Few more changes we’re gonna make. We’re gonna put a big rocket sign on our meeting room and we’re gonna call it the Launch Center. We’re moving into high gear so we’re gonna do weekly meetings on projects. And I think my time is now freeing up....