Successful organizations and leaders continually look for ways and areas to improve in order to create a competitive edge. Competing in today's ever- changing, increasingly global marketplace, challenges organizations to make the best use of their resources.

To meet this challenge, savvy leaders invest in developing the strategy, people and processes to most effectively meet their goals. Contrary to popular belief, organizations do not exist to make a profit. Organizations exist to develop loyal customers by providing valuable solutions and positive experiences. Money and profit is the reward for doing this well. The organization expending the least amount of resources to achieve their goals has a distinct advantage. That advantage translates to increased revenues, customer loyalty, and profit. Successful organizations have their leaders relentlessly pursue the maximum degree of organizational alignment.

What is Organizational Alignment?

Your car wouldn't get far if all the wheels pointed in different directions! Yet that's how many organizations operate - the wheels (resources including time, employees, activities, etc.) aren't aligned, so the vision is an unattainable destination. Experience shows that the interrelationships between processes and departments are key predictors of overall success. Alignment is when all systems work in concert to create customer value and achieve business results.

Any systems not completely aligned with objectives will have a debilitating impact on results. For example, if Marketing and R&D are both strong, but do not work together, products or services may be developed that no one wants. By the same token, if the strategy calls for employee involvement, but recognition focuses only on individual achievement, any disconnect will have a negative impact on implementation of that strategy.

Align every resource directly with your vision and strategic plan to significantly improve results. Organizations that understand and enhance the relationships between their actions and objectives create significant competitive advantage.

Where is Your Organization Out of Alignment?

Is everything in your organization going in the same direction? Are your systems aligned to attract and retain loyal customers? What keeps you from operating at maximum effectiveness? When focus is aligned with desire, you begin to take action toward your goals. Successful leaders create effective systems, organizational discipline, and FOCUS. Consider the following five critical systems. What elements in your organization are working against your strategic intent?

Strategic Planning - Specific goals are not enough. High performing organizations have a systematic process for regular strategic thinking and business planning. They determine where they are going and how to get there. They create a plan with clear objectives, convey it profoundly to employees, and make sure the day-to-day operations reflect the objectives.

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