I received a notice today from the supervisor of my town detailing how over the past three years, under her direction, the town has regained its financial footing by cost cutting, innovative management practices, and shared sacrifices that have led to success and a recent tax cut. The letter went on to detail that the town now has the financial measures in place that are well within the state Comptroller’s recommendations for municipalities. This is a good thing, and I am grateful for that, as I live in one of highest taxed towns in one of the highest taxed counties in the country. I cannot help to contrast that with what I have seen each weekday for the last two weeks. A caravan of trucks, directly from the town department of public works gathers at the end of my road. It seems that they are attending to a couple of large holes that they dug. Now, it may just be my bad timing, but it seems that I never pass by when they are actually doing anything related to the holes. And since I have no idea what their project is, no understanding of what they are hoping to accomplish, I suppose they could be doing everything in a very efficient and effective manner. My perception is different though.
It makes me think of many times we miss the “low hanging fruit” that is right in front of us to improve effectiveness. Right now in hospitals that might be reducing readmissions, for professional services improving accounts receivables, for a group of not-for-profits sharing space or staff and for a bank improving customer loyalty.
Take a look around you and see where you might get some quick wins in terms of efficiencies and effectiveness. Better yet, ask your employees where the low hanging fruit lie and let them help you and your company grab some of it!

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