. . . tools index
January Tool : Working In, On and Out of your business (self-help tool 2)
Each person in your business, from the most senior to the most junior, may be engaged at 3 levels - they can be working IN the business, ON the business and OUT of the business:
Working IN the business - the finding, minding and grinding (see December tool). This is where most people in your business spend the vast majority of their time . . .
Working ON the business - looking at the big picture stuff such as strategic opportunities and other 'deeper' issues. It can be as simple as asking where can the business go, why, what are the opportunities, etc. . . .
Working OUT of the business - the simple expedient of being exposed to ideas, information, resources and knowledge outside the business that can be brought into the business to affect the IN and ON activities (see September tool).
The reality is that apart from the CEO/Managing Director or Senior Executives virtually no-one contributes to the business in the ON and OUT side of things! Imagine the opportunities that are lost by not encouraging everyone from the most junior to the most senior to contribute their thoughts on aspects of IN, ON and OUT for the business.
At present you know what your personal breakdown of the time you spend working IN , ON and OUT of the business and have a reasonable idea why that mix exists whether it is deliberate, accidental, historical or other.
This leads me to ask 3 questions:
Question 1: What is the ideal mix for yourself in working IN, ON and OUT in your business?
Please note that the answer you give is based on the data, knowledge and information you have at hand. As the information you have changes, this may affect the mixture you need/require . . .
Question 2: Why is this the ideal mix for your business?
You have to able to justify the figures you give and not jut pluck them randomly from the air!
Question 3: What can you do to move towards achieving this ideal mix?
That is, can you do something to make it a reality. It is very easy to talk, without actually doing anything useful, until the cows come home. The challenge lies with taking the first step (the hardest one) to move towards achieving your goals/desires.
Remember, the other people in the business may be able to contribute at higher levels (either directly or indirectly) that can make a positive impact on the business.
Be brave, go ahead and dream some big dreams!
Dr Miroslav Dosen
clarityindeed.com
