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Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Success! The most surprising, vulnerable crisis.

A surprising vulnerability came to light in discussion with a client who operates a highly successful regional business. I'm still a bit startled, but on reflection, it makes perfect sense. One of the greatest vulnerabilities a business faces is--SUCCESS!!

On the brink of great success, this business also is on the brink of great failure--hence the crisis. Staff want desperately to maintain the company's core essence, the authenticity of its roots, as they see it. They're frightened at the possibility of losing these attributes.

This extraordinarily personable company needs much more than the vulnerability audit that is the SOP recommendation for this or any other business. This company begs for another level of vulnerability audit in the form of strong business acumen to complement the extisting strong teamwork and history of success to date.

Where does that acumen come from?

The company is privately held, without the benefit (some would say the detriment) of a board of directors. But they still can benefit from great advice from hand-picked advisors. It is called, appropriately enough, an advisory board. The business leadership should start with one or two people whose business skills they admire and trust, not necessarily individuals in the same business field, but business leaders who have "the touch." The touch of Midas, that is.

Together they develop the business growth vulnerability audit. They determine what other skills need to be invited to the advisory board. And ultimately what business growth plan this regional, privately held business can live with. Because without such a plan, they might not live at all. Certainly, they would not flourish.

Of all the crises a business can face, whether to make the difficult decisions related to growing from regional to multistate, from good to great, is almost entirely within the control of the business leadership.

Now, let's look ahead at a full vulnerability audit and crisis management plan for what I expect to be a company whose brand will connote the best of the best in the not-too-distant future.

--FULL ENTRY--

11:52 PM | 0 comment(s)