How many bars of strength does your Purpose have?

Ever been in one of those places, talking on your phone, and the reception gets distorted or even drops?  Almost all of us have been there, and one of the first things we do is check the level of service currently displayed on our device.  We look at the bars on the screen to determine whether we have 1, 5, or something in between.  Based on our signal strength observations, we either recall the person or wait until we are in a better location to place the call.

With that image in mind, the challenge for leaders is what number of bars exist in your organization as it relates to the Core Purpose or why your business exists. If, in your non-scientific assessment, you have 4 or 5 bars, it is recommended that you validate your “Purpose” signal by reaching out to staff, customers, and vendors to gather their impressions of your “Purpose” strength.  If your self-assessment is below 4 or 5, there is an opportunity to seek a stronger signal.  A more significant commitment to your “Purpose.”

As the business landscape evolves and technology provides both meaningful insights and contradictory inputs, having a strong signal of your “Purpose” will be a key differentiator for your success. Success with staff, customers, the marketplace, and vendor relationships. It defines who, what, and why you exist, and then makes no apologies for that offering.

Recently, Chick-fil-A introduced a vending machine for its products at select trial locations.  The products in the units would be stocked by local in-person and drive-through locations in close proximity.  What is so unique is that the vending machines keep the organization’s Core Values front and center.  If you are familiar with the brand, their establishments are not open on Sundays.  It is part of their organizational culture and principles.  It would be reasonable to stock the vending machines late on Saturday evening for potential use and consumption the following day, Sunday.  The vending machine offering does not operate on Sundays, in line with the organization’s core beliefs and cultural expectations.  They have 5 bars holding to their core purpose.

So, how strong is your signal? How many bars do you and your team live on a daily basis?  Would your staff, customers, vendors, and the marketplace recognize your organization for having 5 bars of commitment to your purpose?

This week, assess your organization’s purpose signal strength.  What opportunities are available to strengthen your signal in the marketplace? Don’t settle for 1, 2, or 3 bars of strength.  As TV commercials from major mobile phone providers tend to tout, theirs is better than the competition.   Is your purpose signal strength better than your competition’s?  Does your Purpose strength attract not only more customers but also the best-in-class employees?

Need a Purpose Strength technician to analyze your number or bars in your current environment?  Give JKL Associates a call – FL (407) 984-7346 or MI (313) 527-7945.

Journey On!

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