BUSINESS:  Roadmaps to Success
By Yvonne Keller

                           ARTICLE 13: VISION TEST – IS THE MISSION IN FOCUS?

 EMPLOYEES ASK: Why am I here?  What am I doing?  Why?  What’s the point?  Where are we going?  What do you want from me?  How do you expect me to do that?  When do you expect it to be done?

 Success demands good answers to these questions.  Big businesses often start off with them and lose sight over time.  Small businesses often jump in the pool without checking for water first and eventually struggle.  A clear plan shows purpose, expectations and instruction.

 Define the mission (primary purpose).  (What and Why).

Be specific.  For example, Joe wants to lose weight.  His actual mission is to improve health, appearance and self-image.

 Determine steps and goals to accomplish or the mission.  (How and When).

Joe plans to accomplish the mission by losing weight, specifically thirty pounds in three months.  This step involves 1) exercise three times per week for 20 minutes, 2) no fast food and 3) weight check every two days.  Again, be specific.  Set targets and deadlines. 

 Determine reasonable job assignments and choose the best employees to fill them.  (Who and Where).

A dog is great for friendliness or protection, but it won’t lay eggs.  Get a chicken when you need eggs!  The same is true of people.  Don’t ask the tech who cannot tolerate interruption to answer the phones and manage the service desk.  Don’t ask the salesman personality to do a long-term, labor-intensive project.  Use employees’ assets to the fullest by assigning them the jobs they are best suited to do.  It increases productivity and morale, and it prevents frustration for both employee and employer.

 Don’t bite off more than you can chew.  Specialize.

Find a need, fill it and do it best.  Outsource specialized services.  For instance, if you have a body shop, you can outsource chrome-plating service.

 Monitor, measure and mull it over.

Keep track of progress.  Check strengths and weaknesses.  See if goals are realistic.  Share results with employees.  Get feedback from customers and employees.

 Success relies on a clear plan executed by quality employees.  Performance improves with preparation, encouragement and accomplishing steps and goals along the way.

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 Yvonne Keller's management and project history includes (but is not limited to) Art Houser's Rear End Service (performance drivetrain shop, until Art's death in 2005), Ryder Transportation (fleet maintenance of commercial trucks) and Highland Daytona Racing (custom performance shop, specializing in chassis and suspension).  Local auto enthusiasts know her well for providing events lists.  For inquiries as to this or other articles she has written, email her at Yvonne@autoresourcetoolkit.com.