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If you said “yes” to any of the above questions keep reading …
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It is widely understood that technology is creating a more complex world that is saturated with opportunity while being plagued with the paralysis of how best to spend our time. This can be as true for a business as it can be for an individual. Many businesses find themselves asking questions like: “What is the best initiative on which to focus next?” Often these businesses are so busy with day-to-day operations that they resist doing anything new. But who can blame them? Unless you work by yourself, it’s likely you have been presented with some great ideas from others on your team, but these ideas may be weak on structure, accountability or a plan-of-action for implementation. That does not mean the ideas themselves are bad ideas, of course, but how do managers, leaders or business owners make decisions on what ideas should be implemented without the data necessary to make sound decisions?
A Strategic Tool that Can Become a Filter for Your Business!
I first heard about the concept of The Impact Filter™ from its owner and creator, The Strategic Coach®. The concepts found in The Impact Filter™ are great for helping people take action on what is truly important (for their business and their teams). This tool becomes particularly useful when you want to ensure ideas from your team are taken seriously by management, and helps encourage team members to understand they must present their ideas with structure, accountability and a plan-of-action for them to be considered. It allows your team and managers to become more engaged, and it breeds a culture within your team that encourages everyone to think like business owners. Furthermore, I believe it allows the business owner to identify potential rising stars within the organization because of their respect for the importance of strategic thinking beyond their daily duties. Let’s take a look at how this tool can be used.
A New Way of Looking at Opportunities and Initiatives
I believe that any company that desires to go from good-to-great can progress mostly quickly by asking the right questions. It is easy for many leaders to “quickstart” and drive the company ship passionately with their visionary ability, but that often scares the living daylights out of their crew. For that reason, I believe using a tool like The Impact Filter™ should be something that everyone—including the business owner—should consider using. Doctors who take their own medicine are inspiring and gain maximum respect within their teams. Business owners are a part of a team. Their position might have superior assignments, in some ways, but if you can remain humble and see yourself as a passionate part of the total team, then I believe you will be encouraged to utilize strategic tools to improve your company! Following are some questions from The Impact Filter™ that are good to ask when you have an idea (or have one presented to you):
- What, specifically, do you want to accomplish?
- What are the biggest differences that this project will make within your business?
- What does this project look like successfully completed?
- What are the success criteria that must be true when this project is finished?
- What is the best result you could expect if you take this action? Conversely, what is the worst result that your business could experience if you do not take action?
So, what is the next project upon which you should take action? Which will produce the best results when objectively filtered before taking action? If you have questions in regard to this concept, or want to discuss how to best approach this in your business, please let me know. I am glad to have a personal conversation with you.
I help my coaching clients focus on matters like these so they can achieve better balance professionally and personally. If you want to find out more about how this could be leveraged in your world, or if you want to discuss a business problem you are facing, feel free to contact me or call me at 717-615-2274. You are also welcome to share this article or other resources found on my blog. Feel free to contact me if you or an associate would like to join my blog or receive this article as a PDF.
God bless,
Joe