Can you say ‘no’?
The first key measure of whether any company or person has a real strategy is their ability to say ‘no’: to opportunities that don’t fit the strategy, to expenditures which aren’t aligned with the strategy, to time commitments which don’t support the strategy, to people who don’t understand or support the strategy.
Do you have a strategy? If its difficult to say ‘no’ or you rarely say it, you probably don’t have a real strategy.
Focus wins!
Next, is the strategy focused and easy to understand? If it is, second line managers and staff will know how to align themselves in a manner that optimizes their time and value. If not, people will chase things that inadvertently undermine the overall value of the strategy and the core strength of the company.
Additionally, your first line leaders and business developers will pursue opportunities that weaken your future. Short term may look better, but if the investments are spread thinner, most companies end up back a square one when the new opportunities burn out or leave for greener pastures.
For strategy to inspire, blossom and be sustainable, less is more.
Shared Aspirations
Roger Hayse at the Hayse Group customarily starts the strategy conversation with ‘what are your personal aspirations’? Then the key task becomes to knit a strategy which is made up of connections between those aspirations. This approach builds in buy-in and connects deep within the motivations and desires of any group.
Is the strategy organic and connected to the team? If not, it will wither and dry up within a season.
So if you are working with any aspect of strategic efforts, we have processes and programs that can connect directly to who you are and what you are trying to accomplish.
Are you trying to build a team which is more productive and less stressed? Call us. We can provide tools and processes that take you team to the next level.
Are you trying to develop a process or program to building your market positions into larger and larger positions? Call us. We can identify the approach and program which will marry your strengths to your markets opportunities.
Are you wanting to understand what your clients and targets want, believe and are truly looking for? Call us. We can help you identify where you truly stand with your clients and where the best opportunities are with your clients.
