BRICK is an acronym – after all, where would we be without an acronym to describe something complex. The BRICK acronym has been designed to remind us of the lesson in the story of the three little pigs. Of course, it also lists the steps to take to turn bad processes into good ones.
Let's get the three little pigs into the story here. Some think the moral of the story is that if you work harder than everyone else you will have success. We think that's bunkum. We think that the three pigs story is about the difference between being slapdash, assuming your skills are the best ones for the job and understanding the threat so that you can build a solid defence to fend off the threat.
In the pigs' story, the last pig built his house of brick and lit a fire into the chimney because he knew that the threat – the wolf – could not only huff and puff but he could also climb up onto the roof and shimmy down the chimney. This pig knows what shape the threat could take and is prepared for all instances.
In contrast, the other two pigs built either with whatever was to hand – straw – or assumed that their expertise was sufficient – building with stick. Businesses are run by the same people. Some are conductors–like the third pig–making sure that everything that has to be done happens in the right way to result in the expected outcome. Others do everything themselves or are like a music producer, controlling every small detail.
We have described the BRICK process in our business fable. Over time we will develop more materials to help businesses use this simple and insanely powerful tool.
Because we learnt this stuff back in the dark ages, before most things were invented and before today existed. Back then, we both worked in manufacturing which was the hotbed of quality management. There was no better place to learn how to manage quality using process design.
And we are madly passionate about what can be achieved when you work on the unsexiest part of your business – after the accounting department that is.
A quick read, deceptively brief. None of the usual formula of using several examples to support a theory. This is a story about every business which you will be thinking about long after you close the back cover.
Business books are significantly more effective* when they are read in hardcopy. With its bright yellow cover, this one will be visible on your desk or dropped on the coffee table – it will be calling you to read it and implement the wisdom within!
*Big claim, based on donkey's years of experience.
We want to help as many entrepreneurs and business owners as possible to build profitable and enduring businesses. There will be training, some sort of community and possibly cake. But you need to be on our mailing list to find out about it.
