I chuckled when I read Seth Godin’s blog regarding people using lots of words but not actually saying anything.Leaders often use lots of words with strategy plans because they can’t boil down all the activities into a few overarching, coherent activities that are fundamental to success with customers.
My test is whether my grandmother would understand the one or two things that the organization must be excellent at, and if it passes that test then it’s probably a pretty good catch phrase that you can use when talking big picture stuff with your team.
Generic values statements also fall into this camp: if your values statement could just as easily be adapted by the chiropractic office down the street, you should not use it.
Start with your customer, define what you’ll do for them, and how you’ll do it, and keep it simple! If Grandma would give you a blank look when you explained it to her, then you need to keep working at it.
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Adaptive Talent is a talent consultancy designed to help organizations achieve amazing results and ongoing adaptability. Founded in 2008 and based in Vancouver, Canada we offer retained search, assessments, total rewards consulting, training, leadership coaching and development programs, and culture & organizational development consulting.