The First Dirty 'p' word ... Process

The first of the two dirty ‘p' words we’re addressing this month ...

Process.

"Process" is often villainized or weaponized.

For many, it brings up feelings of anxiety, annoyance, or even defiance.

In the Communications space, it often feels over-done or entirely ignored.

Those who ignore may share that they enjoy the creative or advisory aspects of our work most.

Counsel, messaging, writing, design.

Because of this, some consider process the killer of their creativity and business advisory skills.

I call B.S.

Process … good process …. is what makes a team more efficient, effective, and empowered to spend time on the work that's more meaningful.

Lack of a good process can be the biggest barrier to time spent on the work that matters. The time-suck realities and redundancies that make a team inefficient are the biggest barriers to work that makes an impact. This is where good process comes in.

But first, let's talk about what a good process is NOT.

A good process is not setting up a system for other business areas to comply with to make your life simpler. That may be one benefit to a process, but it's not the purpose. And this is where process-to-death comes in. Or, as one listener called it, "the DMV of process." Because when this happens, we're just not using our logical and business-oriented minds and following a process blindly.

Don't fall into that trap.

Good process is not about making it easy for you and your team. Or in the inverse, it's not about making it easier for those you work with inside the company.

Again, that's very likely an outcome, but it's not the purpose.

The purpose of process is to get to the best outcome for the company in the best way possible - (the best way is typically quicker, more consistent and more accurate).

You absolutely need some systems that make things efficient both within your team, and in how you interact with other business areas.

My tips?

1. Consider the purpose first and always when establishing or reviewing existing processes - to get to the outcome for the benefit of the company in the best way possible.
2. If you've done it more than once, there is a process for it.
3. Don't live and die by the process as the answer for everything. Logic and making relevant connections are still a critical part of this job - always.

Finally, open your mindset on the idea of process. You don't hate process. I promise. You hate processes that don't work.

I explore this more in the Communications Business Advisor Podcast. Listen in and let me know what you think

Episode Eight: The First Dirty 'P' Word ... Process?

Process––you’re not alone if that word makes you cringe. You may find processes stifling to your creativity or just generally something that’s a necessary evil.?

On this episode of the Communications Business Advisor? podcast, Tara challenges the way we think about processes.

It’s time to turn the dirty P word into something fun. Something that works for you and the business areas you partner with. Let’s use processes to get to the ultimate goal easier so you can spend more time on things that energize you.?

In this episode, host Tara McDonagh explains:

• How to NOT be the DMV of process
• Making a process audience-friendly AND Communications-area friendly
• Focus on accomplishing the business goal easier and more quickly, not necessarily making your life easier (though this should be an outcome)??
• Uncovering hidden processes?
• What to use instead of Communication Request Forms
• The time you’ll save by having the right processes in place

If you’ve enjoyed the Communications Business Advisor Podcast so far, please take a moment to share this episode with someone, drop a rating, or leave a review. We can ignite a movement when we share the message.

Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about how to work with Tara. Or follow her content on LinkedIn at: Tara McDonagh where she posts five days a week on comms.-focused topics.??

The Communications Business Advisor? Podcast is brought to you by Raise the Tide?, the unique coaching, community and professional development program that elevates corporate women communications leaders and emerging leaders in the communications field.

Listen to episode 8: The First Dirty P Word ... Process

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Tara McDonagh is a Communications as Business Advisor? activist, advisor to Fortune 500 communications leaders and their teams, and Founder of Raise the Tide? for women in Comms. She helps Comms. teams elevate their reputations as critical advisors while elevating our profession and the people in it. Visit: www.taramcdonagh.com