I hope not to add to the latter category here by giving a series of steps to determine if a process or law or rule is of fundamental value. I will also provide a definition for you to evaluate personally.
Tools of the Trade
A fundamental rule, law or principle crosses all boundaries, including the primary ones: Time, Area & Structure
1. Is it timeless. Can you find examples of this rule or law in many different times, or does it seem to be a contemporary fad? A timeless classic - "You only get what you pay for". If you reward or pay bonuses to people for sitting around doing nothing, that's what you get. If you penalise someone for higher productivity (do the tax laws ring any bells here?), then that will suppress production. This has been true since the very first organisation came into existence thousands of years ago. This is a fundamental rite of Capitalism, yet it is surprising how many companies ignore it.
2. A universal law is independent of area. Ask yourself these: Can it be used anywhere? Can it be used in any industry or activity? Any sector? Any business? Another classic is the simple statement of how to remain profitable: "Spend less than you make". It applies from the railway builder, to the corner green grocer and from the car dealership to the masseuse.
3. A rule or law should work within any structure: Does this law, rule, definition or principle operate independent of Structure? Many organisations arrange their business lines to support production:
"There is more than one way to skin a cat". That's very true, but a fundamental or rule would say "A cat has a skin". You could set up many different cat skinning structures, which would all agree with the above statement. The statement from an angry boss "I don't care how you do it, I just need it done by the end of the week" cuts right to the heart of management in it's rawest form.
The angry manager may not get what he wants here, but what he wants expresses very clearly his fundamental need.
Have a look at the following definition: -
Management is the activity of applying resources to produce desired results within acceptable timeframes.
(I skipped the dictionary here - there are in fact tons of definitions, many self-contradictory. But don't take my definition for granted - apply the three guides above and see how this definition stacks up.)
According to the dictionary:
effective
Ef*fect"ive, a. [L. effectivus: cf. F. effectif.] Having the power to produce an effect or effects; producing a decided or decisive effect; efficient; serviceable; operative; as, an effective force, remedy, speech; the effective men in a regiment.
Ergo: Effective Management means having the power to apply resources to produce desired results within acceptable timeframes.
What will you apply today? | 
