Small Business Strategies - Four Critical Success Factors

Scenario One

During a recent presentation, a business owner was given the following challenge. If 10 of his 100 employees were asked to name the top 3 organizational goals for the current year as they perceived them to be, would he receive the same 3 goals from everyone or would he receive 5, 10 or even 25 different goals? The business owner shook his head and thoughtfully responded, "No, I am sure that I would receive more than 3 goals." He was then asked to consider what these misdirected actions from his employees were costing him in terms of missed opportunities.

Scenario Two

At another presentation, a business owner was asked if she set goals? She responded quite enthusiastically, "Of course, I set goals." She was asked a follow-up question: "Can you state with 100% conviction that your employees know how to consistently achieve both their personal and professional goals?" After a few moments, she replied "No." She was then asked how this lack of knowledge potentially affected her bottom line?

Scenario Three

A president of a company was asked: "Have you ever seen behavior inconsistent with your strategic plan?" He quickly answered "Yes!" A second question was asked, "What did you do about it?" "Well, we sent them to training and within 6 months we had to send them back again?" A final question was then posed to the President. "Are these performance failures a result of a lack of knowledge or skills or due to poor attitudes and habits?" The president immediately said "Why bad attitudes and poor habits." Again, the facilitator asked another question: "What are all these re-do's costing your company?"

Scenario Four

During the annual meeting, the CEO of a manufacturing company informed her executive team that she wanted to achieve a 10% growth during the next 12 months. The VP of Operations made plans to purchase new manufacturing equipment for some new products while the VP of Marketing & Sales began to implement a plan selling existing products. The CFO decided to cut budgets to capital improvements and marketing. All three executive team members believed that their actions would help achieve the 10% growth.

These scenarios shared four critical success factors (CSF's) that impede all organizations from achieving consistent results: communication, goal setting and goal achievement skills, attitudes and alignment.

Critical Factor #1: Communication is the key to unlocking the potential within businesses as well as individuals. When the goals are in alignment with the vision and consistently communicated from top down, then performance excellence is much more likely to happen. Inconsistent communication contributes to missed targets and lowers the performance for the entire organization.

Critical Factor #2: Goal setting and goal achievement are learned skills. Unfortunately, many presume that these skills are acquired during the K-12 educational experiences through the "Osmosis Process." Also, these skills are not actively taught in the corporate setting. Yet, consistent goal achievement or the results are what every organization seeks.

Critical Factor #3: Attitudes drive behaviors that result in change. Many companies focus on trying to change negative behaviors because they are experiencing negative change. However, when the negative attitudes are replaced with positive attitudes, those attitudes will drive positive behaviors creating positive change. By failing to address negative attitudes, new trends, changes or initiatives, the result is wasted resources creating a negative drain on the "KASH Box."

Critical Factor #4: Alignment is necessary to ensure that the desired results are achieved. Performance excellence happens when the strategies, systems and people are working together to build loyal internal customers that drive loyal external customers. The much heard adage about "Getting everyone to row in the same direction" is true, but probably should be amended to include the following "by using the same paddles."

When these four CSF's work together, results happen quicker and create a culture of working "smarter and not harder." The following questions may help you to achieve the consistent results that you desire:

1. Do I know with 100% accuracy that every employee can clearly articulate the top 3 goals for the organizations?

2. Does every person within the organization consistently sets and achieves all of his or her personal and professional goals?

3. Does everyone within the organization at ALL times consistently demonstrate positive attitudes?

4. Are the strategies, systems and people in alignment to build loyal internal customers?

Leanne Hoagland-Smith helps individuals and organizations to secure results usually within 2 to 12 weeks. She coaches lifelong change through proven processes seeking that next level of success. If doubling your revenue, improving your organizational culture or finding balance interests you, visit http://www.processspecialist.com or ask to subscribe to complimentary copy of Power Choices a monthly newsletter at info@processspecialist.com

---

Setting Prices - Pricing Your Consulting Services

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PRICINGIn case you hadn't noticed, people can... Read More

Why Small Businesses Need Both A Logo And An Identity System

Experts urge small business owners to "brand" their business ?... Read More

One Of The Best New Business Opportunities May Be Right In Your Home - A New Daycare Business

The day care industry is expanding. There are now more... Read More

Choose Your Own Guru

What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More

How To Create A Business Note That Is More Attractive To A Note Investor

You are selling your small business (business value under $1... Read More

How to Sponsor an Event for Fun and PROFIT

How do you sponsor an event and get personal introductions... Read More

Government Does Not Pay Its Bills on Time

Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More

Franchise Territories for Mobile Businesses; Why Limitations

In franchising an individual desirous of their own business will... Read More

Small Business Savvy: Reaching Key Big Business Decision Makers

As a solo entrepreneur or small business owner, one of... Read More

Boat Cleaning Business Case Study: Entrepreneurship 101

How do marine type businesses start? Have you ever thought... Read More

How to Start an Office Support Service

Office support services can range from basic data entry to... Read More

Virtual Assistance for Healthcare Professionals

Administrative and clerical tasks are the bane of every industry.... Read More

Creating a Dynamite Account Plan

Why do you need an account plan?When you first decide... Read More

How Do I Choose The Right Business Opportunity For Me?

First you have to start with knowing your budget and... Read More

Successfully Adding a Service To Your Business

There will come a time in your business where you... Read More

Create a Win Win for Your Small Business

Discover How Specialized Cost Containment Creates A New Win-Win Position... Read More

Winning in Business - Lessons from Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong this week won an unprecedented 7th Tour de... Read More

New Habits, Rebounding Economy Help To Sell Giftware and Collectibles

Just a few years ago, when one thought of a... Read More

Is This The Way Its Always Been Done?

Let's face it, we all tend to get stuck in... Read More

Are You a Small Business Lone Ranger? Take My 10-Question Quiz To Find Out!

So what exactly is a "Small Business Lone Ranger?" A... Read More

How to Increase the Cash Flow in Your Private Practice in 30 Days

If you have a busy private practice, chances are you... Read More

Small Business 101: Deadly Ignorance

American small business is again in transition. Many employees, now... Read More

Two Types Of Business Plan Cover Pages ? Which One Are You Using?

This is the tale of two business plans with very... Read More

Small Business Marketing Series ? Choosing a Niche Market

Many smaller businesses choose niche markets for various reasons and... Read More

Small Business Opportunities Magazine Business

A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More

Advertising - For Small Businesses (Part 2)

How to do itPeople skim through newspapers and magazines and... Read More

Patient Records - Your Responsibilities

As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More

Why Internet Shopping is the New Mall of the Future

Last year, trillions of dollars transferred hands on the internet... Read More

Leverage The Power of Publicity For Your Small Business

Your business is only as good as the number of... Read More

Choosing A Business Thats Right For You

Q: I really want to start my own business, but... Read More

How to Prevent Home Business Burnout

As a home business proprietor, you may already realize why... Read More

Small Business - Big Business...Whats the Diff?

Small Business, Big Business ? What's the Diff?Well a lot... Read More

How to let go of your EGO

When does your ego get in the way?Let's go back... Read More