Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business

Unequivocal excellence • Continually strives for perfection • Wins • Does the right thing • Compassion • Honesty and integrity • Hungry for achievement • Is enthusiastic, energetic, tenacious, and competitive • Encourages individual ability and creativity • Maintains accountability • Services the customer above all else • Works hard • Is never sati

You are not your business.

Each of your departmental heads should be better than you in his or her respective position.

most entrepreneurs can clearly see their vision. Their problem is that they make the mistake of thinking that everyone else in the organization sees it too. In most cases, they don’t, and as a result, leaders end up frustrated, staff ends up confused, and great visions are left unrealized.

Clarify your vision and you will make better decisions about people, processes, finances, strategies, and customers.

Above all else, your leaders need to be able to simplify, delegate, predict, systemize, and structure.

1. What are your core values? 2. What is your core focus? 3. What is your 10-year target? 4. What is your marketing strategy? 5. What is your three-year picture? 6. What is your one-year plan? 7. What are your quarterly Rocks? 8. What are your issues?

Gaining traction requires two disciplines. First, everyone in the organization should have Rocks, which are clear 90-day priorities designed to keep them focused on what is most important. The second discipline requires implementing what is called a Meeting Pulse at all levels in the organization, which will keep everyone focused, aligned, and in c

In summary, successful businesses operate with a crystal clear vision that is shared by everyone. They have the right people in the right seats. They have a pulse on their operations by watching and managing a handful of numbers on a weekly basis. They identify and solve issues promptly in an open and honest environment. They document their process