Leadership is no popularity contest, to be sure. However, the workplace is after all a social environment. It makes sense, therefore, that leaders with positive informal social connections with their direct reports turn up with better results.

In researching BPO trends, the subject of business process management surfaced. This view of “process as a platform” asserts that the application suite can help refine—and automate—work’s detailed, procedural steps. This digital step-by-step makes it easier for managers to keep a handle on either internal work or to source out sections of that work to able-bodied providers and still meet key objectives such as quality. (Performing credit checks in the larger loan application process is an example of this.)

Another way to look at the automation/outsourcing method “combo platter” is that helps a business transform. I wonder if transforming is something you’re keen to do?