Our business is unique!
CEO’s tell me all the time that their business is unique, and I don’t necessarily disagree with them, yet….
Businesses all deal with the same three aspects, and it is quite simple, regardless of size, industry, location, et al.
- Vision = who and what you are; the 30 second elevator pitch
- Strategy = what will do this year to make the vision a reality
- Activities = how and what will each person do to make accomplish the vision and strategies
Additionally, every business has 3 strategic resources to measure…not 1!
- People
- Finances
- Processes/Information
It does not matter what size your business is, what industry you are in, or how you are structured…we all have the same things. If you think that this is not true, let’s talk.
Where you are different and unique is that you know your business. What you likely struggle with is everyone on the same page with you and with each other. Thus, are you measuring and managing toward and against the same things?
This question, also posed as what and how are we executing our business strategies, is an ominous and haunting one. I simply ask do you know what you do not know, and do you know what you a leaving on the table?
To answer these questions, you do not need to be a rocket scientist or a brain surgeon. What you need to do is be willing to look within your own organization and be completely honest.
- Do you have a vision?
- Do you have 3 to 5 strategies for the fiscal year supporting the vision?
- Does everyone know them?
- Is everyone measuring and managing to and against the same things?
If any of these answers are “no” or unsure, then you must ask yourself what are you measuring and then subsequently managing too???
The simplicity of this is what will set you apart from your competition as well as take the laborious process of annual strategic planning to an entirely new and unique level-inclusivity of the entire organization.
So what are answers and what are you going to do about successfully measuring and managing your business?
