It’s not magic…it’s the difference between doing things right and doing the right things. The former is about efficiency the latter is about effectiveness. The secret, of course, is to be mindful of both. It is easy to be busy but you must first FOCUS on doing the right things — those things that matter most to the success of your company.

In short, effective leaders must drive the focus of the organization. Leaders must channel the time, talent, energy, and resources of the organization on tackling key priorities and goals. To help you manage the attention and concentration of both you and your team, consider focusing them on six key areas, and we’ll cover three this week. They are:

1) Focus on satisfying your customers
You are in business to attract, delight and retain customers in a profitable manner – period. The real value of your business is tied directly to your highly satisfied and loyal customers. Without customers, you do not have a business. Your focus should be on your customers and solving their needs and wants.

Regularly visit with the top 20% of your customers and keeping them satisfied. Find out what is on their minds. Aside from creating and executing a vision for your business, there is no better use of your time and talents.

2) Focus on getting results
You and your team need to focus on achieving specific results for your company. Establish the climate whereby activity is not confused with accomplishment. Where thinking and planning are admired. Where actual results are valued more than busyness. One of the most important jobs you have is to establish a goal-oriented environment with a solid expectation of performance.

3) Focus on continuous improvement
If your company is not improving, it is declining. If you aren’t getting better, your competitors may well be getting ahead of you. Therefore, establish a climate where continuous improvement and innovation thrive.

If your company is not failing occasionally, either your goals are too low or your rate of innovation is too slow. Failure is an incredible gift if properly viewed and used. Learn what not to do, readjust and move forward. Remember “Good enough never is”.

As a suggestion, once a week facilitate a one-hour business improvement workshop. Release the brainpower of you and your team. Brainstorm at least one good idea each week of something to try. Focus on implementing ideas that increase revenues, cut costs, improve operations or morale, or improve customer satisfaction. For that idea, assign a champion, due date, and key action steps to take. Good ideas not fully implemented are worthless.

Part Two can be found here.

Insider Tips from Gary Hartman, local Growth Coach

Hot Jobs, Inc. recruiters work closely with both clientele and candidates to create a successful placement by identifying, screening, as well as helping with retention according to the clientele’s personnel needs. We service the Roaring Fork Valley and surrounding areas including Glenwood Springs, Basalt, Aspen, New Castle, and Rifle, with our corporate headquarters located in Carbondale, Colorado.