Results Only Happen Outside the Organization

A friend’s company has opportunities for ridiculous growth. For years, she has been reorganizing, tinkering with technology, planning and strategizing, yet her company’s results are flat. She seems to always be on the verge of a breakthrough, “right after” she finishes or fixes the next thing.  She spends her time and resources on internal projects that are seemingly important, but are generally “shiny coins” that steal her attention.  This leaves sales and marketing as an underserved byproduct.

This is a common problem for entrepreneurs.

We are busy fixing problems, delivering, fulfilling, and servicing: stuck in a mindset that is internally focused and myopic. We have little ability to seize opportunities with a myopic mindset.

A few years ago, I was in a strategy session with an executive who had a plan to address the subpar results his company was experiencing. The “big” plan was to step into a new segment of the market to capture a wider customer base.   When I asked how his plan would address a need or want in the market, his response was rather typical:  “Customers don’t know what they want.” He had put together and focused his attention on a plan without considering how it would help or serve a customer; he was internally focused and myopic. Not surprising, the company continues producing subpar results.

A professional services company had been growing at a rapid clip for 4 years and hit a speed bump. They found themselves all knotted up internally and ignoring what the customer was experiencing.  In this situation, they were not meeting customer expectations and customers were quietly looking for alternatives. Somehow, they had become oblivious to what was needed and faced serious threats.

The decisions vary and the distractions are always pressing, but the mindset is the same.  As entrepreneurs, we must remember the obvious, the purpose of the organization is to create and retain a customer. The only result that matters is when a customer decides to buy, and this only happens outside the organization. (Drucker)

Our Blog

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

Change, Transformation, and Preservation

By Robert Wuflestad | Jun 22, 2016 | Comments Off on Change, Transformation, and Preservation
Change Transformation Preservation

Consider the change we have experienced since the millennial celebration. There have been wars, stock market bubbles and crashes, technological innovations, social turmoil, global strife, political anxiety, and economic crisis. It is most likely that rate of change over the next 15 years will at least continue. While transformation, disruption, and abandonment are necessary strategies…

Read More

How Does Core Emotional Strength Make Better Leaders?

By Cindy Wuflestad | May 2, 2016 | Comments Off on How Does Core Emotional Strength Make Better Leaders?
leadership qualities, core emotional strength

Your leadership ability is limited or expanded by how much authority and strength you control over yourself. We have all experienced an impulsive reaction to someone or something.  Those moments typically have regrets involved and often require an action to be taken to correct the problem we created. Working from core emotional strength reduces the frequency…

Read More

Trust and Leading in Today’s Organization

By Robert Wuflestad | Apr 13, 2016 | Comments Off on Trust and Leading in Today’s Organization
Trust is the cornerstone of our society

Recently, the “Panama Papers” revealed a sprawling web of corruption among world leaders. Following that, the EPA convicted CEO of Massey Energy of conspiracy. Last year, Volkswagen cheated on emission testing. FIFA, Soccer’s governing body bribed officials to win the World Cup venues. Scandals abound. According to the Gallup organization www.gallup.com, our confidence in big…

Read More

Peter Drucker’s Most Important Questions

By Robert Wuflestad | Jan 6, 2016 | Comments Off on Peter Drucker’s Most Important Questions
Peter Druckers most important questions

As a business student at Claremont, I had the unique privilege of studying with Peter Drucker, and he radically changed the way I look at business.  He was brilliant with an unusual vision of society and versed in many subjects. Peter was especially respected for the questions he asked and his ability to cut through…

Read More

Peter Drucker Taught Essence of Business

By Robert Wuflestad | Jan 5, 2016 | Comments Off on Peter Drucker Taught Essence of Business
Peter Drucker in the classroom

Mondays were always special. I wanted to be sharp, to be present and be prepared to learn.  Monday was when Peter Drucker taught; I was a student at Claremont Graduate University. The Peter Drucker School of Management Walking into the room, he would sit on a table with a microphone propped up against his chest. …

Read More