"I am here for a purpose and that purpose
is to grow
into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of
sand.
Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to
become the
highest mountain of all and I will strain my
potential
until it cries for mercy." Og Mandino,
American
Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996
We have all read articles and volumes of
books on
highly effective organizations. This quote
by Og
Mandino solicits a response in focusing on
purpose
and placing emphasis on purpose. In
working with
organizations for the past 25 years, I have
been
witness to organizations losing their sense
of
purpose and have seen organizations
guard their
purpose with a ferocity that holds them to
the top of a
mountain.
High performing organizations have
certain
commonalities: vision that pulls them to
the future,
passion for what they are doing,
commitment at all
levels, roles clearly defined, the right mix of
expertise
and resources, balance of risk and
innovation, and
processes and systems for execution of
tasks.
Organizations that continually focus and
adjust these
aspects are able to respond to changing
economic
waves and increased customer needs.
Organizations that are successful have
clarity as to
their purpose. The purpose drives their
business
strategies, operating budgets and
revenues. The
vision propels them into the future, but the
purpose
provides the foundation. When
organizations stray
from their purpose, risk is involved and
consumers
can become confused. That does not
mean that
innovation should be stifled or new
divisions created,
but the innovation should be aligned with
purpose.
In sharing a brief example; I am a devoted
fan of one
company's coffee. They are in the coffee
and
doughnut business. Over the years, I have
experienced them trying different products
including
sandwiches. These never seem to make it
for very
long. It is important that organizations
diversify as
business strategy dictates as long as the
true
purpose is not lost. I have arrived at the
business with
the intent of purchasing bagged coffee only
to find that
they are out of coffee! This is their
business! Their
purpose is to provide excellent coffee and
doughnuts,
and yet , I find them out of stock on their
core item.
Many examples could be shared of
organizations that
guard their purpose, 3M and Microsoft to
name two.
To guard your purpose remember to focus
on the
following:
1. Create strategies to balance the
core purpose
with future market diversification.
2. Continuously communicate
strategies to
employees at all levels.
3. Create opportunities for feedback
and intent of
core Business purpose.
4. Align actvities of frontline staff and
understanding of purpose.
By holding to your purpose, your
organization will
climb to the top of the mountain of
success.
