Blog #242
As we are all shifting into this new normal, it might be beneficial to do a holistic assessment of your business’s current product/service. Whether your organization is for- or non- profit, there is a strong likelihood that you will need to adjust to your product or service, which is something that should be assessed regularly. However, change can be difficult for some folks, especially when facing obstacles.
One positive and unintended result from our current pandemic situation is that it has created a catalyst for change – the challenge lies in how you handle it. It is important to remember to be proactive, not reactive. To help teams successfully manage this adjustment period, I have put together these 10 steps:
- Act as if the organization is a new start-up. Assess the current tools, resources, people, skills, and relationships available within the organization today. From here, confirm and review your Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG).
- Review the organization’s core values, mission, or focus.
- Ask the team, “If we were starting over and had our current resources, values, mission, and BHAG, what would be the smartest product/service we could offer to ensure we achieve our BHAG? What does great look like?” Document it.
- Acknowledge the reality of present limitations. If you are looking at a 20% cut, own it. It is what it is! This is the reality of our new normal.
- List all the current products/services, assess their alignment with the values, mission, and BHAG. Also include items that are not in alignment, no matter how beloved they may be; then consider what would happen if they were cut. Now, document which resources would (hypothetically) be freed up.
- With this new, lean list of products/services that are clearly in alignment, review what you documented in Step Three. Identify opportunities to redeploy resources to focus on the new items to ensure the right, aligned mix.
- Take a week or so to let it stew and process. Your subconscious will rework this and will clarify the right path for you.
- Gather the team and reassess your findings. Build a plan to transition out of the “cut” items from the list. Begin testing and expanding in areas where you could invest more resources.
- Build clear milestones and scorecards to track progress to obtain this new mix.
- Reassess and adjust every 30-90 days until the organization has reached a suitable mix of products/services, which should be 100% aligned with the company’s values, mission, and BHAG.
As previously mentioned, change can be difficult, and it may take some time to reach your BHAG. However, I strongly believe the organizations that are willing to address these challenges quickly will have a competitive advantage moving forward.
Most of us are facing unprecedented changes to our organizations. Are you a leader who needs help navigating an unfamiliar process? We can help with that! Reach out today to learn more.
Keep Smiling,
Kris
