Look internally for 'best practice.'

I have never been a fan of 'best practice.' It's a personal thing but I have never been comfortable in the belief that those who push 'best practice' have actually reviewed every single organization, analysed what ever 'best practice' they are pushing and finally that all the stars are aligned so that what works in one organization will work in another. That is not to say that I don't believe in taking what works in one organization and adapting it for another - I do. It's just that I don't like to call it 'best practice.' But as I say, it's a personal thing. 

But what has amazed me is the number of times I have seen 'best practice' operating inside an organization. All you need do is look for those departments, business units, Divisions or teams that are getting results consistently and nine times out of ten, they are doing something differently. They are 'best practice.'

So before looking outside, look internally and you may be surprised by what you find.

Yours in execution.

ian