How Do You Create Strategic and Operational Focus That Aligns?
In the September 4th issue of the Financial Times, an article titled 'Industry Losing Money Due to Management's Self-Overestimation' was published.
It appears that within a significant group of companies, improvement can only occur when they recognize that their management is not always up to par. For now, this indicates self-overestimation. Despite thinking they are performing well, many Dutch companies typically exhibit a culture of mediocrity.
According to the article, Dutch companies particularly underperform in setting goals. The goals are not sharp enough and often unrealistic. While we share this observation, we also see that entrepreneurs and managers are often unaware of how and why to create the same focus strategically and operationally.
Furthermore, translating vision and strategic objectives into daily business targets leads to problems. This often results in a disconnect between the 'executive suite' and the 'shop floor', leading to lagging sales combined with unnecessarily high costs as an unwanted consequence.
With a Little Help, You Can Do More Than You Think
Ignorance should not be an excuse for failing to pay sufficient attention to this! And it doesn’t have to be overly difficult. With a little help, you can do more by yourself than you think.
Fundamentally, it starts with awareness and ambition. From a top-down perspective, meaning from the management's viewpoint, it's about managing what they expect from other employees. From a bottom-up perspective, meaning from the other employees' viewpoint, it involves proactively contributing to what is expected of them. Collaborating in this endeavor is the solution to ensure full commitment from all parts and levels of the company to make the vision a reality.
This involves more conscious entrepreneurship, with the principle being 'prevention is better than cure'. This should be a continuous focus integrated into your organization's processes. For optimal functioning, your organization must be well-structured in every aspect. And rest assured, it doesn’t all have to happen at once. Take it step by step, but be self-critical and continuously raise the bar. After all, growth is not possible without ambition and discipline!
Entrepreneurs take risks and are incredibly important for our economy. Unfortunately, a good balance between work and private life is often lacking. It is precisely this that drives Paul Joore to have a positive impact on the lives of entrepreneurs and contribute to their success.Paul is the ambitious founder of the online Route ICR platform for successful entrepreneurship. He is also the author of the entrepreneurship book ‘Succesvol groeien doe je zo!’ (Successful Growth, How to Do It!). "I believe in setting seemingly unattainable goals. Challenging oneself, innovating, and constantly improving. Supported by a well-structured organization."Paul has tens of thousands of flight hours in the business world, with a background as an entrepreneur, coach, interim manager, and former chartered accountant. Always focusing on realizing challenging goals as effectively and efficiently as possible: in other words, being successful through being inControl, in the entire process from true ambition to result.This only works by thinking, planning, and acting from a goal-oriented structure. In the SME sector, there was a lack of knowledge and experience in this area, and well-thought-out solutions were not available. Therefore, Paul decided to create this himself.In many SME businesses, the 'madness of the day' reigns. As a result, entrepreneurs are not inControl when it comes to achieving goals, let alone challenging ones. Therefore, they also do not realize their true ambition. Worse, for many, this ambition is not even crystal clear. And how can you work towards a goal without having a real one? Logically, there can also be no balance between work and private life. And no balance means no rest.So, the Route ICR web app helps entrepreneurs and teams to be inControl in the entire process from ambition to result. With the ICR "InControlRating" of your business as a growth compass. Very clear and handy to know through one number how your business is and will be doing. So you know whether you will achieve your goals and be successful from this starting point. And if the score is disappointing, you also know what to work on to improve.This way, you gradually work towards a better balance in your life, feel good about yourself, and have a positive mindset! Are you curious? You too can experience the Route ICR web app for 14 days free of charge, without obligations!
