I hope the questions included in this “Cash Follows Clarity” series will help you to get clear.  I mean, Windex clear . . . which is important because CASH FOLLOWS  CLARITY.  

QUESTION ONE:

If you could change one thing about your business over the next 6 months, what would it be, and why?

Whether this question is given introspectively or conversationally, it’s a wonderful groundbreaker for business strategy.  It usually has a few instant effects:  first, you begin to understand what your biggest issue is. For example, “If our managers keep fleeing to Best Buy, not only are we going to explode our overhead on hiring and training, I’m literally going to lose my mind.”  Obviously, a subset of wonderful follow up questions come behind this response!  (“What is this problem revealing about you? What solutions have you tried and why did they fail?  If you implemented a perfect solution, what would be different and in what time frame?”)

Second, this question brings you into the solution conversation, which is always better than wallowing.  If you believe your problems are your “weights in the training room,” then the right frame of mind leads you to pick up the weights (and begin work on the solution).

Third, you can begin to assess the problem with many others you’ve encountered, and can therefore look for similar solutions.

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Answering this simple question can provide a wonderful basis for setting goals.  Once you’ve asked this of yourself (or someone else), the answers can then be made into either (a) recurring work activities, or (b) projects, executed in 30-60-90 day increments.  For example, let’s say the #1 change you would make would be to “create a better hiring system that really works.”  From this, you might create one project (“Rewrite Hiring Process”) and one recurring activity (“Weekly Meetings with Corporate Trainers”).  These are broad examples, but a proper response to business challenges shouldn’t be despair or drastic measures!  It should be a calculated, longer-term approach that yields sustainable change.  Planning reduces stress significantly.

READY FOR 156 QUESTIONS?

If you are ready for the ultimate set of strategy questions, the Flagship Assessment may be for you.  The Flagship is a two-part assessment that gives you a clear, holistic picture of the health of your business.  It allows you to see strengths, vulnerabilities, and most importantly, a clear roadmap – chock full of solution (not “data”).  What results is a clear path for magnifying strengths and managing your weaknesses.  It is the ultimate baseline for goal-setting and systemization.  

For more information on the Flagship Assessment, go to www.FlagshipAssessment.com

In the meantime, stay strategic!  Start by answering question #1 above.  But don’t drink the Windex!