Getting your spaceship off the ground
|
|
|
Today is a major milestone in the life of this blog. This is the 200th post. May there be many more.
Today is also the 41st anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepping out of Apollo 11, on to the surface of the moon, which Neil Armstrong described as:
One small step for man, a giant leap for mankind.
Truly amazing.
Today of course, there doesn’t seem to be such big events that nations or citizens of the world can get behind – maybe it’s funding or maybe we just don’t dream so big anymore?
Instead every day, there’s lots of much smaller, but nevertheless, impressive events such as the Beijing Olymics Opening Ceremony, the World Cup in South Africa.
Like all events of such scale, they don’t just happen. Instead, thousands of hours of meticulous planning and organisation go into them to make them happen.
They use checklists.
Before a plane takes off or lands anywhere in the world, the pilots consult checklists. Even surgeons performing operations use checklists because sometimes, even in routine things, something can be missed out.
Checklists detail what happens at specific times or in specific sequences. In simple terms a checklist is a to do list, a more complex version a schedule, designed to reduce failure by compensating for potential limits of human memory or attention. Checklists ensure consistency and completeness in carrying out a task.
When I launched my first information product How To Achieve Your Dreams the Tomato Way, I learnt many things from the launch. Some of which I wanted to ensure that I repeated for the other product launches, whilst others I wanted to ensure that I avoided.
So I created a project launch checklist – with 50 steps of things to do before launching a product or service. Of course not all of the steps are required for each launch, but having the process allows me to ensure that I at least consider them and of course I never miss an important step out of the launch.
Could you use a checklist in your business?
Launching today is the No1. Product Launch Guide – you can check it out here
Related posts:
Matthew,
Your checklist idea is a great one. I really hope that it blasts off for you!
There are a lot of people out there that want to launch a product, but have no idea on how to get from the beginning to where they want to go. Excellent idea. Good lookin’ e-cover too!
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
Joshua Black | The Underdog Millionaire´s last [type] ..Crazy Chiropractor Reveals Six Successful Direct Mail Tips
Matthew Needham Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Thanks Joshua, I hope it does too!
I think that the checklist will be really helpful to the people who don’t know what to do next and help them get their information product out there.
Cover is great, especailly the 3D effect!
Wow Matthew – congratulations on 200 posts! That is quite a milestone.
I tend to use checklists for pretty much everything I do. In fact, for larger projects I tend to use a series of checklists, each aimed at completing a specific goal.
Another great part about a checklist is that it can be used as the basis for after-completion analysis so that you can improve your way of doing things going forward.
Congratulations again! Have a great day
mark´s last [type] ..5 Myths About Goal Setting
Matthew Needham Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Hi Mark, thanks for the message!
You’re a sensible guy using the checklists – I’m sure that they help you accelerate your performance against your goals!
I think you’re spot on with their use on post completion analysis or post project reviews – great to audit processes too.
Thanks again!
Congratulations on the post my friend! Your leagues ahead of me.
Check lists are a great way of ensuring that everything gets done aren’t they? All to often when we’re doing anything big that’s really important we often miss a step because we just didn’t have anything instructions to follow. Great idea!
Ben´s last [type] ..How to FACE a Particularly Bad Day
Matthew Needham Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Thanks Ben. I don’t think I am really, v kind of you to say though.
Check lists are a great way of ensuring everything gets done you’re right, more people should use them!
Checklists are a great way to ensure that everything gets done in the proper order when working on any sort of project. They’re often overlooked, which is too bad because they really are helpful.
PS Congratulations are in order for reaching 200 posts, and you couldn’t have picked a better day to reach the milestone because the astronaut photo is great!
Steve Scott Site´s last [type] ..1 Secret to Promoting an Affiliate Product
Matthew Needham Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Hi Steve, thanks for the message. I think checklists are so often overlooked. I recently introduced them with a client I was working with which reduced their monthly cycle times for producing the management accounts – because they didn’t have to think about what to do next, the checklist told them!
Synchronicity ! Launch date, 200 posts and 41 years of the moon landings!
Thanks again!
Matthew,
Checklist is definitely a great way to keep yourself on track and make sure you are not missing anything before moving on to the next part of the project. It totally help me focused and concentrated on what I have to do when I’m on the computer.
Congratulations on your 200 posts.
Matthew Needham Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Hi Justin,
You’re right a checklist is certianly a very useful tool to keep you efficient!
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Congratulations on your 200th post, Matthew. It must feel like it just flew by! An amazing milestone
Karen´s last [type] ..4 Best And Worst Things About Being An Entrepreneur – Guest Post
New here? Start with these
Recommended Products
Work with us
Topics
Articles to Grow Your Business
Who is behind The Big Red Tomato Company?
Company Registered Office: White House, Clarendon Street, Nottingham, NG1 5GF Company Registration Number : 6563864