Directives of Doing

DOD 2007 ©

These directives form the self-imposed code of conduct established by the founding partners of the company and rigorously enforced throughout the Department of Doing.

Directive 1 (a).

If someone comes to the Department with a problem, solve it for them. This is what The Department of Doing does. It is why we exist. Never say “Sorry, we don’t do that.” Or “It’s not really our thing.” Just because we haven’t done it before doesn’t mean we can’t do it. It just means we have to find out how. Anything is possible with effort and imagination.

Directive 1 (b).

If The Department of Doing really can’t solve the client’s problem, find someone else who can. Even if it means giving the business to another supplier. It’s more important to solve the problem than to get the business.

Directive 2.

Be honest with yourself and with others. We want the Department of Doing to be ethical, honest and open. We have learned by experience that business is more productive, more creative and more fun, when people trust and respect each other. We have spent too many years working in big companies (and small) which run on fear, paranoia and deceit to want to do it all over again.

Directive 3.

Never say, “That’s not my job”. The business world is full of organizers, planners, facilitators and managers. It doesn’t need any more. At the Department of Doing we only want doers. We are about making stuff, and making stuff happen. We are about taking clients’ problems and making them go away. That’s our job.

Directive 4.

If you don’t know, find someone who does. Our industry is full of people who claim to know everything about everything. Without exception, they are all lying. They probably know a little about a lot. Enough to finish the crossword but not enough to finish the job. At the Department of Doing we are specialists. We know a lot about our core business, but prefer to seek out specialist help and advice in areas where we are not experts.

Directive 5.

Not knowing is not a crime. Not caring is. The success of the smallest job is as important to the reputation of the Department as the biggest one. This success depends on each job receiving the same due care and fastidious attention to detail. We have a very tall building, and will not think twice about throwing people off the roof if they are in breach of Dept. Directive 5.

Directive 6.

The directors and partners of The Department of Doing reserve the right to go sailing every Sunday morning, providing this activity does not cause a contravention of any of the aforementioned directives, and tides permitting.

Directive 7(a).

Insofar as it is possible, the Department of Doing will only do business with individuals and businesses which it likes and respects. The Department will never associate nor trade with businesses or individuals who are discourteous, rude, unprofessional or who wear grey shoes, no matter how much money they offer.

Directive 7(b).

There is no Department Directive 7(b).

A Department of Doing production