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Archive for the ‘Alignment’ Category

Reading the Signs

In Alignment, Leadership on March 1, 2010 at 7:33 am

High-performance leaders see things that others don’t, and see them before others do.  They have an uncanny knack for “reading the signs.”

Some of the most common signs include:

  • STOP.  What should you stop doing?

A recent client was discussing a major, multi-year initiative designed to transform their organization and their industry.  I asked the CEO, “Since launching this initiative, what have you stopped doing?”  The answer was nothing, but they have since launched a complete project review.  I suggest you do the same, with the intention of stopping the good in order to invest in the best.

  • CURVE AHEAD.  What is changing in your market?

Every one of my clients is facing some kind of change in their industry segment.  For some, it is price pressure from new market entrants.  For others, it is new, game-changing technologies.   Or radically shifting customer requirements.  So, the key is to build an organization that is both aligned and agile.  In my opinion, this kind of aligned agility may be the only real sustainable competitive advantage.

  • DEAD END.  Are you simply heading in the wrong direction?

Some organizations have ignored some of the warning signs.  They are driven by historic inertia.  Their industry segment underwent a massive shift years ago, but they were not able to change.  If you are heading towards a dead end, you don’t need a mild course correction, you need a U-turn.

  • FORK IN THE ROAD.  What are the critical strategic decisions ahead?

Yogi Berra said, “When you get to a fork in the road, take it.”  Many organizations are facing a major strategic decision.  One that requires making a real choice.  Should we go left … or right?  If this is you, compile all the information you can.  Test all of your assumptions.  Seek wise counsel.  And make the right decision.

Every leader has to read the signs.  High-performance leaders read them and respond.

The Shift Points blog is designed for Fast Lane leaders who want to leave their competitors in the dust.

Shift Your Thinking.  Accelerate Your Results.

Jim Collins on Alignment

In Alignment on July 21, 2009 at 9:01 am

“There is a big difference between being an organization with a vision statement and becoming a truly visionary organization. The difference lies in creating alignment – alignment to preserve an organization’s core values, to reinforce its purpose, and to stimulate continued progress towards its aspirations.”  — Jim Collins

Whether your company has 2 people or 200,000, aligning them into a high-performance organization is essential to success. A high-performance organization where:

> Every employee is committed to the mission, whatever it takes.  No laggards.

> Every employee lives the organization’s values.  No backstabbers.

> Every employee is completely bought-in to the organization’s strategy.  No under-miners.

> Every process is intentionally designed to execute the plan.  No time-wasters.

To achieve these results, high-performance organizations apply One Discipline – the discipline of alignment. This discipline brings every person and organizational process – their structure, budget, reward system, customer experience … everything – into alignment.

The Shift Points blog is designed for Fast Lane leaders who want to leave their competitors in the dust.

Shift Your Thinking … Accelerate Your Results.

Alignment 101

In Alignment on July 8, 2009 at 9:16 am

Alignment is the optimal state where all elements of an organization – vision, values, strategy, people, and processes are aligned with each other to achieve optimal results.  Executives walk the talk.  Customer commitments are met.  Nobody drops the ball.

Peter Drucker says, “The task of leadership is to create an alignment of strengths, making our weaknesses irrelevant.”

But the fact is, aligning an organization is really hard work.  It takes unbelievable management discipline and commitment.  It takes an unselfish team willing to put “we before me.”

Over thirty years of research has shown that, quite simply, aligned organizations out perform their competitors by every major financial measure.

The Shift Points blog is designed for Fast Lane leaders who want to leave their competitors in the dust.

Shift Your Thinking … Accelerate Your Results.