Breaking the Small Barrier
Copyright Jack Mixner. 714 449 1040. www.mixnerstrategy.com
Rapidly growing? How do you keep on the tracks?
Welch says start with Mission and Values. They get lost in rapid growth. What to do? "Talk about them ad nauseam (Welch and Welch, page 112.)"
Next, establish operating procedures, planning and budgeting.
How much planning? Just enough to foster debate among the team. The goal is a dialog on how things are going, not a phone book of a plan.
Personnel appraisal systems come next. We all know Welch enough to realize that he has a fierce appraisal system. It might warrant a look (Welch and Byrne, page 159.)
Speaking of personnel, Welch and Welch say focus on "hiring, motivating, team-building, and firing."
Strategic Implications
Don't just grow. Grow with a plan. But make it a simple plan.
References
Welch, Jack and Suzy. Ideas The Welch Way: Growing Up But Staying Young. BusinessWeek. 11 December 2006. Page 112.
Welch, Jack with John A. Byrne. Jack Straight From the Gut. Warner Business Books. 2001.