10 Pillars for Organisational Success

For any organization or business to succeed, it has to all it takes to ensure that it is continually achieving set goals which are linked directly to the vision of the founder. In this article I share with you what I would brand "Beyond the Marketing Mix". We explore some of the pillars that will position your business for greatness. These are a must for any up-coming or even established entrepreneur. Having studied business and also having started my own business ventures, I know I have a mandate to set others up for success. I can not claim to be successful due to the amount of money on my bank statement but by those people who will achieve success through my writings and teachings.

Below are a few essential tools for your organizational success

PRODUCT (Quality of Service delivery). There are so many people providing the services that you provide. What will keep people coming in your direction is your product quality. When the customers eventually get to the point where they expect consistency in quality then you know you have them hooked.

PEOPLE (Attitude) - I have mentioned this one before that your employee's attitude will easily set the Altitude on which your business stands. Attitude towards work, towards each other, towards customers and of course towards the vision carrier.

PURPOSE (VISION, Mission, and Values etc.) - When a business is not clear why it exists then perpetual success is not inevitable. Clearly distill and zero in on why the business exists. I have seen enough business wander and eventually stagnate because people now know them for being "jacks of all trades". Be known for that one product line. When you hear Microsoft you instantly think software, when you hear Toyota you do not think of airbuses but automobiles.... the list goes on.

PROFITABILITY (Pricing policy, viability, accounting) - Failure to carefully plot your pricing makes you lose in the face of competition. You have to price to a point where you remain competitive whilst still having profit. After all, your business has to be profitable if it is to grow and maintain its existence.

PLANNING (Preparation) - We have discussed this before but I will mention that it is tragic that we spend a lot of energy trying to execute without a clear plan and the results are obvious to all. So much time, energy, space is wasted just because we did not spend enough time planning. You will realize that the more time you spend planning, the less time you spend in execution.

PROCESSES - The organizational effectiveness can be monitored and evaluated through the various processes and systems in place. You need to always endeavor to cut out on red tape, reduce the approval process without compromising security. Document all processes and procedures so that new employees can easily learn and assimilate the processes. Teach all manages the overall processes that make the business what it is. It is frustrating for the Operations Line Management to work with a Finance Team and Manager who has no clue what it takes to get the product out. They will not appreciate the urgency of the issues raised and sometimes in their quest to save money they short circuit the profitability of the business.

POSITIONING - In what way do we compare with others on the market. In order of rank, where is our organization. What is the niche we are targeting? Are we positioned for pole position or as number 2 contender? Our business does not exist in a vacuum or space of its own.

PRINCIPLE based leadership - The success of any organization rests on the way the leadership adhere to best practice in leadership and direction of the organization's processes. When you run your business in chaotic fashion, your outcome is predictable, chaotic results. Adhere to such principles as rewarding high performers, manage by observation and walk-about not by remote control. Absentee leadership syndrome is a phenomenon that is common in modern commerce and industry. In the quest to make extra money, most leaders run sideline businesses which compromise the progress of organizations.

PROTECTION - Security matters. It is the mandate of every organization to protect the data, integrity and well being of organizational records. Data theft, intrusion and hacking are very common with the advancement of technology. As an organization it is pivotal to ensure information is not unnecessarily made available to the world. You can lose equipment and replace on the same day. You can not play games with organizational information pertaining to processes and documentation of history. You risk losing your business totally if you choose to ignore the protection of corporate data. Having been in IT I have seen organizations suffering and having to mend their holes when damage is done through virus attacks, data theft etc. Protect your data, protect the future of the business.

POWER to PROSPECT - To prospect is to have hope and anticipation. As leaders, this is a virtue you need at all times. Your teams rely on your carrying of hope and looking forward to bright and better days ahead. Your Prospect power is what carries you and your team through the hard times. When economy turmoil hits, hope is kept alive as you continue to see light at the end of the tunnel.

The Marketing Mix plays a vital part of our success - It looks at Product, Price, Promotion and Place.
As you Persevere in Business, realize that you need your People to Purposefully Prepare and Practically Plan for Performance and Product quality so as to Position your business for Profitability.
I almost ended this but also thought I would say: Push your goals through, Place your Priorities correctly, run your Projects based on Principle and best Practice.