Ops Insights #044 Become a Futuristic Fixer
June 8, 2024 | Read Time: 4 minutes | Written by Jenny Kleintop
This edition is for my data and ops peers who are early to mid in their careers and want to grow in their roles by being a trusted go-to colleague.
As we kick off summer and transition into new routines, I’ve been extra observant of who is a fixer. Let’s talk about the types of fixers, why you want to become a futuristic fixer, and the steps you can take to get there.
Types of Fixers
A hand-held fixer sees a problem, brings it up to someone else, and needs help fixing the problem.
I’m working with Tara who helps with data integrity projects, list pulls, and database management. We are talking about adding leads into the database and setting up custom fields to be able to handle some of the data we want to capture. Tara notices that a table value is misspelled. I let her know that it’s a new setup, no one has a value yet on their record, and she could simply open the value and update it to correct the spelling. “I’m going to run it by Derek first.” Derek is her boss.
➡ The hand-held fixer, Tara, sees the problem, brings it up to me, and needs help fixing the problem by bringing it to Derek.
Many data and ops professionals start as the hand-held fixer early in their career and that’s okay as you get your footing. However, if you stay this type of fixer you will wear out those helping you and may be viewed as taking up the little time they have to give.
You want to work toward the next level of fixer, the self-starter fixer.
A self-starter fixer sees a problem, finds a solution, presents options to fix the problem (if appropriate), and fixes the problem. In the example above, if Tara updated the table value without having to go to Derek, she would be a self-starter fixer. The misspelled table value is a simple correction and it’s a normal part of any new setup to verify and update things.
➡ Knowing her boss, I know he would rather have had her simply fix the table value.
Back to the self-starter fixer: There are times when it’s appropriate to present options and get buy-in from leaders or other colleagues before fixing as the last thing you want to do is catch a leader or team member off guard with a surprise fix that ends up being more burdensome for them than helpful. The person who moves forward and fixes the problem is the self-starter fixer.
During training, I ask attendees what they do when they see a duplicate in the database. Take a moment to think about this: What would you do? Would you complete the merge of the records?
➡ If you answered yes, merge it, then you are a self-starter fixer.
Keep at it and work your way to the next level - a futuristic fixer.
A futuristic fixer sees a problem before it occurs and proactively addresses it so the problem never happens. Or sees a problem continuing to happen and goes upstream to find the long-term solution versus a quick fix.
Delvin came to me saying, “I need to find 27 more prospects to add to Jamie’s portfolio.” Jamie did not ask him. He knew Jamie had a goal to qualify 15 new prospects, but she only had 18 in the qualification stage. She needed 27 more and he wanted to be proactive in finding them for her. So Jamie and I went to town talking through various data mining strategies. Jamie was pleasantly surprised when Delvin presented the new names.
Why You Want to Become a Futuristic Fixer
A futuristic fixer becomes a trusted colleague.
A futuristic fixer becomes a trusted resource for leaders.
A futuristic fixer is talked about positively when they are not in the room.
A futuristic fixer gets promoted quicker.
A futuristic fixer gets a seat at the table.
A futuristic fixer gets a voice at strategy sessions.
A futuristic fixer gets a “yes” more often when asking for additional resources.
➡ If you want to advance in your career, you want to become a Futuristic Fixer.
Take Action
Ready to become the Futuristic Fixer?
Here are 7 steps you can take:
1) Assess yourself to understand what type of fixer you are.
2) Make an oath to yourself to become the next level fixer. Write it down, tell someone, work it into your goals - do something as this will help you work toward it.
3) Be a self-starter and take the initiative.
4) Seek out resources or get help from someone else if you need to learn.
5) Say yes more than you say no, as this will open up opportunities to work at finding solutions because people will come to you more for help.
6) Learn to be proactive in listening to what the problem is and going after finding a solution.
7) Don’t look to others for approval or a pat on the back before applying a simple fix, just do it and fix it already.
You’ve got this and I’ve got you!
👋 See you next time.
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