Don't Be Afraid of A.I - Embrace It

After being pretty intimidated by AI for much of 2023, I spent most of 2024 immersed in learning about it. For most of the 4th Quarter of 2024, after completing the manuscript for my upcoming book, Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations, I was hard at work training an AI Clone of myself to be a companion to the book to help entrepreneurs in using and implementing its concepts. Here's a sample of a conversation between the clone and one of the beta-testers (also a test-reader for the upcoming book), an owner of a small home services business in Ohio. I'm pretty excited to see the quality of the interaction and the insights and guidance to some very specific questions.

You can learn more about my A.I. Clone at www.AskMichaelErath.com

Clone:

Hi, I'm Michael. How can I help?

User:

I just finished reading the draft manuscript of your book and have a home services business. I am working on my Next Level Accountability Chart and trying to come up with a good mission for my Project Managers. Can you help me with any suggestions?

Clone:

Absolutely, happy to help! In the home services sector, it's crucial for Project Managers to drive the consistent and on-brand execution of projects. A well-crafted mission can really set the tone for their role. Here's a suggestion that might resonate: "Ensure the efficient and accurate execution of quality projects in a timely manner, while maintaining an on-brand, healthy working environment."

This mission not only emphasizes the importance of timeliness and quality but also highlights the significance of maintaining a healthy work culture. It's a balanced approach that aligns with the broader goals of your business.

The mission should be clear and measurable, providing a framework for accountability and performance. Ask yourself, what are the key outcomes you expect from your Project Managers? How do these outcomes align with your business goals? If it's about maintaining client satisfaction, hitting profit margins, or ensuring safety standards, weave those elements into their mission.

What specific challenges are your Project Managers currently facing, and how might a focused mission help address those? Let me know your thoughts!

User:

This is great, thank you. What about a suggestion for a good MCO to go along with that same position, given their Mission?

Clone:

I'm glad you found the mission suggestion helpful! Now, when it comes to determining the Most Critical Outcome (MCO) for your Project Managers, it's all about finding that measurable result that truly reflects their success in executing the mission. For a role focused on ensuring the on-brand execution of projects and maintaining a healthy working environment, a fitting MCO might be something like "Net Profit per Job to Budget." This metric directly ties to the financial health of each project, ensuring that your Project Managers are not only delivering quality work but also contributing positively to the bottom line.

By focusing on net profit, you're encouraging them to manage resources efficiently, maintain high standards, and meet client expectations—all while keeping an eye on profitability. It's a clear, quantifiable target that aligns with both operational excellence and financial performance.

How does this align with what you envision for your team? Are there specific financial metrics or outcomes you've been tracking that could serve as a foundation for this MCO?

User:

That's a great question. How do I come up with good leading indicators, measurables that would be good for the Project Manager's scorecard, like what you talk about in your book?

Clone:

Great question! When it comes to setting leading indicators for your Project Managers, the goal is to identify those key drivers that have a direct impact on their Most Critical Outcome (MCO). In your case, since we're focusing on net profit per job for the Project Managers, we need to drill down into the activities and metrics that directly influence profitability and project success.

First, think about what levers your Project Managers have at their disposal. These might include things like project timelines, budget adherence, or client satisfaction scores. Each of these can be tracked weekly to ensure they're on the right path. For instance, tracking the percentage of projects completed on time could be a leading indicator. If they consistently meet or exceed this goal, it likely correlates with profitability.

Another area to consider is resource allocation. Measure how effectively resources are being managed. This could be something like tracking overtime hours or material costs against budget. These metrics can highlight inefficiencies early, allowing your managers to course-correct before they impact the bottom line.

Client feedback might also serve as a leading indicator. Regularly surveying client satisfaction and addressing issues promptly can help maintain strong relationships and repeat business, which ultimately contributes to profitability.

Remember, the key is to choose 2-4 indicators that are actionable and directly link to the desired outcome. You'll want these to be simple enough for your team to track and understand but significant enough to drive the necessary behavior changes. How do you think these suggestions align with your current operations and goals? Are there specific areas where your Project Managers have the most control that could benefit from this focused measurement?

User:

Okay, I think I've got the Mission, MCO, and scorecard numbers solved. What about obsessions for this project manager? Do you have any recommendations to help me get started?

Clone:

Sure thing! When it comes to establishing obsessions for your Project Manager, think of these as the daily habits and focus areas that drive success and alignment with their mission and MCO. Here's a solid starting point:

• Lead, Manage, Retain & Hold My Teams Accountable: This is foundational. Your Project Manager should be obsessed with creating cohesive, high-performing teams on each of their jobs that consistently execute projects effectively. It's about fostering an environment where team members both feel valued and are held accountable for their contributions.
• Drive the Operations Processes, Execution & Outcomes: This obsession ensures that your Project Manager is laser-focused on the smooth running of operations. They should be constantly assessing and optimizing processes to improve efficiency and project delivery.
• Drive Quality Control & Compliance: Ensuring quality and compliance are non-negotiable. Your Project Manager should be passionate about maintaining high standards and ensuring that every project meets the necessary regulatory and internal quality benchmarks.
• Drive the Customer Experience & Retention: Finally, the customer experience is a crucial area of focus. Your Project Manager should be dedicated to understanding client needs and exceeding expectations, which in turn fosters customer loyalty and repeat business.

These obsessions help maintain a clear focus on the various dimensions of their role. They provide a roadmap for what they need to think about every day to be successful. How do these align with the specific goals and challenges your Project Managers face in your business?

Get This Kind of Guidance for Yourself :

To learn more, or to preview (3 free interactions) and subscribe to the clone at deeply discounted pricing this month, while it is still in beta, visit www.AskMichaelErath.com.

To sign up for advance notice and discounts on my upcoming book and audiobook, Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations, visit www.FiveObsessions.com.