FOCUS

Step 1 in the FORMIDABLE Business - Focus

Focus is the first step in taking control of your business.  At the strategic level it is determining your priorities and the specific direction your business is going to take for the next three years.  When implementing Focus, we do not just establish strategic objectives, but determine the priorities at the five levels of business focus.

A business with written outcomes to achieve has purpose and is able to measure its progress. A business without Focus just drifts.

The five levels of business Focus are;

Client Focus - The most valuable asset of your business is its existing client base. Knowledge of clients and their buying behaviors is essential for building a successful business. The top 20 percent of clients typically provide the highest return or profit to the business. You need to know what the attributes of a profitable client are so you can build a strong relationship. Focus at this level means understanding who your ideal clients are, what expectations they have, the benefits they are seeking, and the type of relationship clients want.

Value-add Focus - Your value-add is the solutions and benefits the business provides to meet the needs of clients. Once you know your clients, you have to know the benefits and solutions you are going to provide to meet their needs.  Your value-add is the answer you provide to the client question; ‘Why should I purchase from your business?’ It is your competitive advantage and value adding proposition.

Strategic Focus - Identifying and clearly stating the medium to long term goals that will represent ‘success’ for the business. Focus at this level is on the ‘big picture outcomes’. It is establishing a vision for the business that is removed from the day-to-day activities of managing the business.

Operational Focus – This level represents the day-to-day activities and processes that generate the actual service/ products for clients. Focus at this level is ensuring that systems and processes drive your business in the most efficient and effective manner. Performance benchmarks are established for all key activities and processes. The end result is that the business is able to function in its own right without being overly dependent on the business operator.

Role Focus - This type of focus has two dimensions. Firstly, determining the personal goals that the business operator seeks to achieve through the business, and secondly, ensuring the business operator develops the skills and expertise to operate and lead the business at the highest level of effectiveness. As the business operator it is essential that your Role Focus is concentrated on those activities that provide the greatest return on your time and activity. Focus at this level is working smart rather than being ‘busy’ in the business.

If your business is drifting and does not have a clear set of goals to achieve, please click here to access the wide range of strategies and actions to implement Focus at the five essential levels.

In 2010 we will be launching the 'How to Focus Your Business for Outstanding Results Kit' - a Guide (PDF), Workbook (PDF) and MP3 audio product that you can download to make your business FOCUSED! To find out more details please visit our 'Focus Kit' page.