The importance of resources in maximising opportunities

In the last twelve months I’ve been to some beautiful parts of the world.  Locally I’ve experienced the joys of The Mournes, where I am every week now, Trim castle in Meath that was used as the set in Braveheart, the Causeway Coast, parts of which are now known globally through #GOT...I could go on.  

However, mainly through my work travels, I’ve had even more opportunities to do and see more, much more.

One of these was when I drove past Newgrange a few weeks ago.  Newgrange is a Stone Age tomb, similar age to Stonehenge, and reputedly one of the most important sites on the Island. I should have gone in, but didn’t have the time. I should have planned my resources better.

We all only get a small number of opportunities. Maximising these is something we should all aim to do.

This is particularly true for businesses.

Businesses need to maximise every opportunity, and every scrap of an opportunity. They should not ever get to the position where their failure to plan their resources means the opportunity is lost. Maximising opportunities keeps businesses ahead of the pack. Failure to deliver opportunities is a great way to get a poor reputation.

Planning resources is key. 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 of ISO9001:2015 use a lot of words, but in basic terms they suggest businesses should have a way to figure out what resources they need (people and other) and make sure they are in place. A suitable process for determining resource requirements is important, and without an effective process businesses can easily miss opportunities, stagnate, or worse.

So during my most recent trip (to Clonmel) I took my own advice. On the journey down I consciously left an hour early so I would have enough time to call in and see round the Rock of Cashell, pictured, that I have driven passed many times before.  And I’m so glad I did.