Success is not rocket science. One might think that the most successful organizations have some key insight that sets them apart, but nothing could be further from the truth. We live in a time in which knowledge is accessible to just about anyone for very little (if any) cost. Indeed, the basic principles of success are well known, but most people and organizations struggle to put them into practice. What differentiates the greats from the rest is an understanding of the knowing-doing gap, the difference between what people know they need to do and what they actually do. It’s not access to knowledge or even lack of desire that holds people back. It’s simply poor execution.
Strategy execution is about more than completing a checklist; it’s about creating a culture. How does an organization foster an environment in which everyone is focused on achieving a shared set of goals? My recently published article in The CEO Advantage Journal shares a few observations and disciplines from my work with clients using The CEO Advantage Process™. These ideas are not new, and they are definitely simple, but they are difficult to implement. My hope is that you will glean from this article a better understanding of what you must do to strengthen the culture of strategy execution in your organization.
Reminders of simple, practical disciplines for leaders who strive to build great organizations.
Happy 90th Birthday, Dorothy Zehnder!
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 by Troy SchrockHow would you feel if you knew today that you would still be working at 90? If Dorothy Zehnder is your model, it should excite you.
In 1950, Dorothy and her husband (along with her husband’s family) bought a small hotel in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Sixty-one years later, their Bavarian Inn is the cornerstone of Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” one of Michigan’s most popular family attractions.
Dorothy turns 90 today. She still runs the kitchen, still uses many of her original recipes, and still works six days per week. Her motto is: “if you don’t feel well, go to work and pretty soon you’ll feel better.”
Speaking with Paul W. Smith on Detroit’s WJR-AM this morning, Dorothy described her ten-hour days as “fun.” She had a similar theme when we interviewed her for upcoming edition of The CEO Advantage Journal. “I like to cook,” she told us. “It’s satisfying to make a good product and get it on the market. I like the fact that people enjoy my recipes. Retirement never crossed my mind. I love what I’m doing. I would rather [stay] right here visiting with people and making recipes that thousands ask for.”
She’s right. Productive work is fun! Take a moment today to step back from the daily grind of your operations. Look away from your financial numbers. Lay aside your worries about future customer orders. Just think about the purpose of your business. Who do you serve? How do you improve the life of your customers? What is your role in that? What do you enjoy most about it?
Isn’t business fun? Why would you not want to work at 90?!
Thanks for your example, Dorothy. Happy 90th birthday and best wishes for continued success.
Tags: Bavarian Inn, Dorothy Zehnder, Frankenmuth, Little Bavaria, Paul W. Smith, The CEO Advantage Journal, WJR
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