Make It Count

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Make it Count Podcast is where business leaders seek ideas and insight to turn strategies into succinct results-oriented actions and to leverage resources to optimize return on investment.

Connie Siu


    • Jul 20, 2016 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 2m AVG DURATION
    • 62 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Make It Count

    Do You Know What It Takes to Succeed?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2016 2:16


    The right action accelerates execution. It is beneficial to execute with focus and purpose. Otherwise, you might waste time and effort. The post Do You Know What It Takes to Succeed? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    succeed leverage resources
    4 Steps to Maintain Project Momentum

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2016


    Meeting timelines is important for project execution. There are four step to maintain momentum. The post 4 Steps to Maintain Project Momentum appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    project momentum maintain leverage resources
    5 Myths of Complex Solutions

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2016


    There are different solutions to tackle a problem. A complex solution is not necessarily a better one. Look out for these 5 myths. The post 5 Myths of Complex Solutions appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    myths complex leverage resources
    Working Decisively in the Gray Zone

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2016


    Dealing with uncertainties could be nerve-wracking. There are 3 techniques you could use. The post Working Decisively in the Gray Zone appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    leverage resources
    It’s All In the Details

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2016


    Execution is all about details. To be successful, there are four things you need. The post It’s All In the Details appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    execution all in leverage resources
    Why Causality is Important to Results Measurement

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2016


    Not sure what drives success? Consider the causal link to result. The relationship between action and outcome is crucial to defining what is important to measure. The post Why Causality is Important to Results Measurement appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    important measurement causality leverage resources
    Are You an Effective Manager?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2016


    Are you able to manage your team for sound performance? There are 4 things you could do to enhance your effectiveness. The post Are You an Effective Manager? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    effective manager leverage resources
    Did You Achieve Your Goals?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2015


    To assess whether you have achieved your goals for the year, you need to review the results you have been monitoring. Listen to the podcast and see what the 3 key elements are for results measurement. The post Did You Achieve Your Goals? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    achieve your goals leverage resources
    The Incredible Contagious Energy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2015


    It is frustrating when negativity puts a halt to an otherwise meaningful discussion on solving a problem. See how you could turn things around by leading with focus and positive thinking. The post The Incredible Contagious Energy appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    energy incredible contagious leverage resources
    5 Ways to Help Overwhelmed Employees

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2015


    Productivity is greatly impacted when your employees are overwhelmed. There are 5 ways you could help. The post 5 Ways to Help Overwhelmed Employees appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    10 Ways to Benefit from Consistency

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2015


    Consistency business practices boost customer satisfaction and productivity. Find out how you could leverage it. The post 10 Ways to Benefit from Consistency appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    consistency benefit leverage resources
    How to Make Sound Fact-based Decisions

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2015


    Fact-based decision-making is one of the many approaches to decision-making. Having the data doesn’t help to make sound decisions unless you do 5 things. The post How to Make Sound Fact-based Decisions appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    sound decisions leverage resources
    Are You Treating Cause or Effect?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2015


    Effects get us excited about taking action. Dealing with a cause usually takes more effort than dealing with an effect. Find out why and aim for a real solution. The post Are You Treating Cause or Effect? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    effects treating leverage resources
    Simplicity is Golden

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2015


    Work tasks consume time and money. By keeping things simple, you expedite completion and improve productivity. More importantly, you build a solid foundation for transitioning to the digital era. Review the two areas Connie identifies for opportunities to simplify work activities. The post Simplicity is Golden appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    work golden simplicity leverage resources
    Are You Solving the Right Problem?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2015


    Do you want to make sure that you are clear on the problem you need to solve? There are 7 questions you ought to ask. The post Are You Solving the Right Problem? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    leverage resources
    Winning Minds for Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2015 1:41


    Resistance is a key barrier to change implementation. There is no short-cut to getting people on-side. An effective tact is to sell the case for change through winning minds. The post Winning Minds for Change appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    change winning resistance minds leverage resources
    How to Orient Your Operations to be Customer-focused

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2015 2:07


    Operational excellence is more than an internal business challenge. Find out how to orient your operations to be customer-focused to build customer satisfaction and loyalty. The post How to Orient Your Operations to be Customer-focused appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    Tips on Developing a Scoring Model for Decision Making

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2015 2:55


    To make sound decisions, you need a scoring model to rank the options. Connie shares a few tips on developing a good model. The post Tips on Developing a Scoring Model for Decision Making appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    How to Select Prioritization Criteria

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2015 2:30


    Tips on how to select relevant criteria for prioritization. The post How to Select Prioritization Criteria appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    tips select criteria prioritization leverage resources
    Differences between Common Practices and Best Practices

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2014 2:55


    Common practices are not necessarily best practices. Connie shares a few distinct differences between the two. The post Differences between Common Practices and Best Practices appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    differences best practices leverage resources
    How to Avoid Complacency

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2014 2:08


    Complacency is a silent damper of improvement. Connie highlights the causes for complacency that companies need to look out for. The post How to Avoid Complacency appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    complacency leverage resources
    How Your Company can Benefit from Standardization

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2014 4:22


    Standardization helps to streamline operations and simplify administration. Connie shares a few tips on how your business can benefit from it. The post How Your Company can Benefit from Standardization appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    benefit standardization leverage resources
    Types of Performance Measures

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2014 3:39


    The different types of performance measures are used for different purposes. Don’t get overwhelmed by their label, focus on what you want to achieve. The post Types of Performance Measures appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    performance types measures leverage resources
    How to Stop the Vicious Cycle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2014 2:10


    When an issue repeatedly usurps resources that could have been better utilized, it is time to stop the vicious cycle. Connie shares a few tips on how to free yourself from the dilemma.   The post How to Stop the Vicious Cycle appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    vicious cycle leverage resources
    How to Stop Paving the Cow Path

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2014 3:12


    Doing work the same old way would get you the same result. Listen for tips on how to overcome the problems with paving the cow path. The post How to Stop Paving the Cow Path appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    paving leverage resources
    How to Select Initiatives that Align with Strategic Goals

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2014 2:44


    Want to maximize the return on investment of your initiatives? Ask 3 important questions to verify the link between your initiative and your business goals. The post How to Select Initiatives that Align with Strategic Goals appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    Change Management – Communication Strategy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2014 2:24


    Change causes anxiety. There are 5 elements that you need to incorporate into your communication strategy. The post Change Management – Communication Strategy appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    End-to-end Thinking

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2014 2:19


    Connie explains why end-to-end thinking is important for effective execution. The post End-to-end Thinking appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    thinking leverage resources
    Turning Actions into Results – Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2014 3:11


      Leverage helps to expedite results and optimize ROI. The post Turning Actions into Results – Part 3 appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    turning actions roi leverage results leverage resources
    Turning Actions into Results – Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2014 2:08


     Results can be expedited through simplicity. The post Turning Actions into Results – Part 2 appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    turning actions results leverage resources
    Turning Actions into Results – Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2014 2:28


     Actions might not deliver results if there is a lack of focus. Listen to find out why. The post Turning Actions into Results – Part 1 appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    turning actions results leverage resources
    Challenges with Benchmarking Results

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2013 2:36


    Connie shares key considerations for benchmarking business results. The post Challenges with Benchmarking Results appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    challenges benchmarking leverage resources
    How to Formulate Strategy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2013 2:39


    Connie outlines the 6 steps for strategy formulation. This is part 3 of the 3-part podcast series on strategy. The post How to Formulate Strategy appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    strategy formulate leverage resources
    Why is Strategy Important?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2013 3:04


    Strategy serves as a beacon for a business. Connie explains why it is important. This is part 2 of a 3-part podcast series on strategy. The post Why is Strategy Important? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    strategy leverage resources
    What is Strategy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2013 2:03


    Connie defines what business strategy is. This is part 1 of a 3-part podcast series on strategy. The post What is Strategy? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    strategy leverage resources
    How to Measure Intangibles

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2013 2:26


    Connie shares tips on how to measure intangibles. The post How to Measure Intangibles appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    measure intangibles leverage resources
    Finding a Balance Between the Use of Old and New Technology

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2013 2:14


     Connie shares tips on what company should take into consideration when looking at implementing new technology. The post Finding a Balance Between the Use of Old and New Technology appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    balance new technology leverage resources
    Top Reasons for an Organization’s Demise

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2013 2:19


    Connie explains the three top reasons for a company’s demise. Lack of a strategy Not able to act quickly Poor management of finances                               The post Top Reasons for an Organization’s Demise appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    poor lack demise top reasons leverage resources
    Best Ideas to Increase Your Competitive Advantage

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2013 2:25


    Connie shares tips on how companies can increase their competitive advantage. 1. Build on the value proposition of your business 2. Know your competition and differentiate your offerings 3. Anticipate customer needs 4. Innovate 5. Optimize the cost structure 6. Drive operational efficiency 7. Build expertise in your employees   The post Best Ideas to Increase Your Competitive Advantage appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    The Toughest Challenge with Change Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2013 2:09


    Connie explains that  there are two sides to change management: the technical side and the people side.The people side of change tends to present the most challenges when it comes to change management. The post The Toughest Challenge with Change Management appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    change management toughest leverage resources
    Why Compensation on Performance is a Problem

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2013 2:03


    Connie shares some problems that can arise from compensating strictly on performance. 1.  Employees only focus on areas they are good at, and ignore those that need improvement 2.  Employees are unwilling to accept measurement on  work which they don’t have  control 3.  Employees will see this as a way... [More] The post Why Compensation on Performance is a Problem appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    Why is Mission & Strategy Critical to Sustain Business Growth?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2013 1:52


    Connie explains why organizations must have a clearly mapped out mission and strategy. 1. Defined goals 2. Clear direction 3. Criteria for setting priorities 4. Filters for decision making 5. Guidance on day-to-day operations   The post Why is Mission & Strategy Critical to Sustain Business Growth? appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    Best Practices for Getting Work Done with Limited Resources

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2013 2:04


    Connie shares tips on how to get work done when faced with the challenge of having limited resources. 1. Revisit priorities 2. Review the timeline 3. Filter unnecessary work 4. Improve efficiency 5. Outsource to a 3rd party 6. Borrow resources from other areas 7. Get temporary help   The post Best Practices for Getting Work Done with Limited Resources appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    How Do You Grow, Nurture and Protect Knowledge

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2013 1:58


    Connie shares 5 ways that organizations can protect their knowledge. 1. Document processes and know-how 2. Pay attention to cross-training employees 3. Find ways to use the knowledge so it is not forgotten 4. Provide continual development 5. Retain talent     The post How Do You Grow, Nurture and Protect Knowledge appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    protect nurture leverage resources
    Alignment of Execution with Strategy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2013 2:04


    Connie shares 5 tips on how companies align  execution with their strategy. 1. Have a roadmap for execution 2. Allocate adequate resources 3. Gain alignment on priorities 4. Be resilient 5. Communicate progress regularly   The post Alignment of Execution with Strategy appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    strategy alignment execution leverage resources
    Biggest Mistakes Organizations Make

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2013 1:55


    Connie shines a light on some of the biggest mistakes she sees organizations make. 1. Not explaining what the company’s strategic direction is 2. Not paying attention to execution 3. Using performance measurement to penalize workers   The post Biggest Mistakes Organizations Make appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    organizations biggest mistakes leverage resources
    Sustaining Operational Framework for Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2013 1:55


    Connie shares 4 elements for sustainable operational growth. 1. Structure 2. Scalability 3. People mobilization 4. Adaptability   The post Sustaining Operational Framework for Growth appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    How to Integrate Process, Technology, and People

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2013 1:48


    Connie shares 3 ways to best integrate process, technology, and people. 1. Start with process and define what work needs to be done, who will do it, how they will do it, when and where it will get done. 2. Explore how to leverage technology. 3. Utilize the skills of your people to accomplish... [More] The post How to Integrate Process, Technology, and People appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    technology integrate leverage resources
    How to Improve Collaboration

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2013 1:48


      Connie shares 2 ideas on how to improve collaboration in your workplace. 1. Create a forum for sharing information 2. Educate people on work that is taking place within the organization The post How to Improve Collaboration appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    collaboration educate leverage resources
    The Communication Gap

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2013 1:43


    Connie shares tips from her best clients, on how to improve communication: The “big picture” Clarity on need Value of information Timeliness   The post The Communication Gap appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

    clarity timeliness leverage resources
    Communication Between Business Units

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2013 1:45


    Connie shares 8 reasons why communication breaks down in businesses. Sender is not aware that he needs to share the information Receiver does not know who has the information No one is accountable to make sure that the information is communicated Oversight on sender’s or receiver’s part Personal issues and... [More] The post Communication Between Business Units appeared first on CDC Synectics on How to Leverage Resources.

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