The key word here is focus. Ever work with an organization that seemed scattered, and each day felt like you were heading a new direction? This is not uncommon in the knee-jerk reaction times we see today in business. Sometimes we forget that it is possible to very good at one thing if you stay focused on it.
A friend of mine was a phys ed teacher in an elementary school. He put the entire class on one side of a tug of war rope, and he stood on the other side. He thought he’d have fun and play with the kids pulling against him before finally winning with a good pull. Much to his surprise the kids were very focused on winning and with each of them pulling with focus he couldn’t beat them! The same goes for companies -- when we focus and have a team that is focused, we can beat a much bigger opponent.
We win by gathering talent, focus and intensity to an issue critical to customers, and then doing it better than anyone else in the market. This is how to become a specialist in certain areas and escape from the commodity mentality.
Two important questions will guide your management team on where the company needs to be heading and focusing:
- What do you sell?
- Who are your targeted customers or prospective customers?
