I spoke to someone the other day who indicated their business was doing really well.  I say “indicate” because there wasn’t much factual evidence, more of a ‘feel good’ factor.

They used the metaphor of running really fast and getting lots of ‘stuff’ done.  Again, little evidence this ‘stuff’’ was turning into real results.

So, in my “subtle” way (you know me!) I explained that surely all this great stuff and feedback they were getting about what they were doing should manifest itself in something tangible which would result in money!

On reflection our intrepid business owner had a realisation that with all this ‘stuff’ they were focusing on was resulting in S.F.A (technical term) so using their metaphor back at them, yes, they were running really fast, but in the WRONG direction.

A big part of driving a successful business is to make sure that everything is aligned to the goal or objectives of your business, whether that is a weekly, monthly or greater goal.

Without this alignment it is highly possible that your key resources are heading in the wrong direction, which of course would mean failing to achieve your end goal.

If you are simply setting targets and demanding more of your staff but they don’t feel any connection with the business as a whole; their role is only ever going to be ‘just a job’.

Even your sales people, or those in other roles where a bonus is paid for performance, will not be as engaged or focused on a simple ‘target’ as they would about a ‘vision’.

Congruence involves developing a culture, which starts with YOU, as the owner, and permeates throughout every level of your business.  Whether you are a team of three, 300, or 3,000 it works the same way, although the larger the business the harder it is to maintain – it is also fair to say that the larger the workforce the more important this unity of vision is.

So, this week, ask your team (which maybe just you, but it’s still critical):

• What is this for? Why are we doing what we are doing?  How will we know when we have achieved it?

If you get a few blank faces (look in the mirror) then there is a possible answer of why you are not achieving what you want…. it is because either you don’t have a view, OR you do, but you’re just not aligned to it.

BW,

Martin Norbury

The Scalability Coach | Britain’s Top 10 Adviser 2018 | Author of #1 bestseller I don’t work Fridays  | Ex-CEO of a PLC