See full color web version at: http://www.SeniorManagementServices.com/pvt-89-vanishing-technolog.html

Are you vulnerable to this hazardous, expensive problem?

============================================================

The first hint of trouble... ============================================================

Here's a typical scenario.

About 18 months ago, I visited a successful high-tech company. Sa1es were down.

But, management viewed situation as temporary. Besides, they were designing new products - they had "strong hopes" for either getting more venture capital or being acquired by a rich company.

Meanwhile, they had to "downsize" because of declining sa1es.

============================================================

Then things got worse! ============================================================

Sadly, in less than 1 year, they terminated 68% of their employees and friends.

Worse, they lost much more than "just" people! They lost their technology plus mon^ey spent to develop their technology.

Why?

Because their technology walked out door with each employee terminated ... thus, without those particular employees - and what only they knew - they were disorganized, literally out-of-business and didn't even know it! (They still had hundreds of employees!)

Typical of many companies, much too little of their technology was organized and written down. Nobody could pick up ball when people left!

Without product documentation, without written standards and procedures (and technical processes, strategic plans, etc.) - without adequate documentation they were faced with reinventing their own "wheel!"

(Sound familiar?)

============================================================

Did they survive? ============================================================

Were they able to reinvent their wheel, or sell disorganized company with its undocumented technology?

No.

Their building n0w stands empty, another needless casualty of what I call, "Vanishing Technology."

They, like many, discovered that hazards of inadequate documentation are an even B I G G E R hazard when times are tough!

============================================================

Why it happens over and over again... ============================================================

Actually, most business managers don't understand connection between product development and documentation - and how to get most out of them.

The fact is, you will produce better products, faster and cheaper, if you understand part that documentation plays in product and business development - and how you can integrate it into process of building of your successful position in market place.

This is not a new idea. Yet, ideas are one thing; action is another.

The plain truth is most people hate to write documentation. For most people it's hard, tedious work that demands a lot of time, discipline, and rigorous attention to detail.

That's why most people delay writing any type of documentation as long as possible! Many, wait until last minute, then give problem to a "writer" and tiptoe silently away. (Good Luck!)

============================================================

Can you afford risk? ============================================================

Are you risking loss of your most valuable assets, people, business processes, and intellectual property?

Here's what a manager told me about his own tragedy, which plagues America's companies today:

"Due to our downsizing, our most valuable assets ... our people ...our business processes ...our intellectual property ...literally walk out door. Without those particular employees and what only THEY knew - we're *****ed!!

"Worse ...sooner or later, they will work for our competitors!" -- D.H., Manufacturing Manger

If you're boss, it's on your shoulders! What do you do n0w?

============================================================

How do you protect yourself from Vanishing Technology? ============================================================

You can protect yourself from Vanishing Technology by applying business development techniques I have named "Profitable Venture Tactics" (PVT).

CONTENTS: 1. Do you lack functional Operations Manuals? 2. Use a SYSTEM to write your Operations Manuals! 3. Yes, but my people just don't/won't write stuff down! 4. But people WILL write stuff down - if ... 5. Call to Action.

============================================================ 1. Do you lack functional Operations Manuals? ============================================================

Great businesses depend on systems, not people.

That's because you can duplicate systems, but not people.

If your business can't duplicate salable results, it won't survive. Duplication is Nature's Survival Law.

If your organization lacks Operations Manuals, your growth and success will be limited due to lack of a duplicable (documented) system.

============================================================ 2. You can use a SYSTEM to write your Operations Manuals! ============================================================

Extraordinary people don't build great businesses. Ordinary people produce extraordinary results using a duplicable system. That's how you build a great business.

The faster you develop good Operations Manuals faster you will have a great business!

============================================================ 3. Yes, but my people just don't/won't write stuff down! ============================================================

You will hear many excuses and attitudes for why people don't write Operations Manuals.

"We just don't have enough time."

"It's not my job man! You hired me to be a [manager, programmer, accountant, engineer, whatever]. I'm not a writer!"

"I hate to write. Who needs it!"

"Whenever I feel like writing, I lie down until feeling goes away."

"It's different here. Things change too fast. The minute we write something down, it's obsolete..."

These are typical objections people express. But, one of most UNexpressed fears is:

"If I document my job in an Operations Manual, I can be replaced! I'll lose my job!"

No wonder so few organizations have Operations Manuals!

============================================================ 4. But people WILL write stuff down - if ... ============================================================

. and only if they can realize a benefit!

Let's face it. You can grow your organization ONLY if you can promote and/or replace your employees. Thus, you and your team can MOVE UP only if you can replace yourselves.

And you can do this by documenting your positions in well-organized Operations Manuals.

"Mike! Are you saying that by writing stuff down in Operations Manuals we'll receive more raises, promotions, and vacations."

Absolutely!

These goodies are not available without your company's growth and prosperity!

Did you know most business start-ups fail while most franchises succeed. Successful franchises use a documented management system ... in short ... Operations Manuals!

"But Mike, our company is not a 'franchise!'"

Neither is mine.

But SMS has a documented management system, including about 13,000 pages of Operations Manuals.