In an effort to enlighten myself this past weekend, I decided to attend the British Picture Show at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. The exhibit featured a vast array of art reflective of pre and post World War I British life. As I strolled through the exhibit, I learned that Britain’s Bureau of Information had actually commissioned many of these artists to depict the extensive effort associated with the war. As such, much of the art illustrated the work and daily minutia associated with the mass industry necessary to prepare for, support, and sustain the war. The images detailed the processes of the people. It was amazing to see the wide array of systems and people functioning independent of one another, yet ultimately working towards the country’s common goal. Each image made me realize how much work had gone into the war and how hard each person had worked. Many of the pieces seemed isolated and unrelated, but collectively conveyed a sense of team work when viewed as a collection.  Although a seemingly abstract method of cataloguing this effort, the exhibition was a great success. It was clear to me that the collective goal had been achieved and that the complex system and “parts” behind it all were able to come together in unison.  

One image that struck me in particular was a lithograph by C.R.W Nevinson entitled Making the Engine (see right).  I thought that this image was very representative of the aforementioned concept. I began to think about how all organizations rely on many people and processes working in harmony with one another. The strength of the organization as a whole is only as strong as that of each of its moving parts. If the parts and processes are weakened – so too is the whole. Likewise, if they are fine tuned and streamlined, the organization becomes stronger. Efficiency and process are paramount.  They act as the lubricant that enable an organization to operate fluidly and effectively within its market space. 

Strong process development and support are also extremely important in the Real Estate Ownership and Management space. Regardless of the status of your organization - growing-shrinking-maintaining - it is imperative for its processes to continually adapt to the current landscape if it wants to survive.   As the organizational structure and market forces ebb and flow, so too must its processes.  An organization cannot be stagnant. Establishing processes and protocols and then following them is instrumental and essential in success in any market economy.  So do not sit idly by.  There is a cost associated with doing nothing. Make sure that your processes are not only defined, but cataloged and followed. A process is wasted if created and then forgotten. Be strict about adhering to the rules you’ve outlined and if they are not working – don’t be afraid to rock the boat. It may take more work in the short term to correct, but it will ultimately make your life easier, make you more valuable, and make the organization you work within more powerful. 

 So go ahead. Fine tune your process. Make YOUR engine. Succeed.