Fix, Optimize, or Grow?
Those are really the only options, right?
Whether to fix it, optimize it, or grow it?
And in that order too. There’s no point in growing it if it isn’t truly optimized. And no point in optimizing something that is ultimately broken.
Let’s dive into the characteristics of each phase and what’s required to get to the next one.
FIX / BUILD
It doesn’t take much experience to realize that an organization, product, or work team is broken. It’s often quite intuitive when you talk to the people, review the traction and the financials.
What is not intuitive is how to fix it. If we are early days, this first phase is BUILD (as there is nothing yet to fix). The solution to both is identical though.
Radically evaluate the viability of your offering and its supporting structure. Gather support. Build it out. Fail. Build it out again.
Metaphorically, think of this step like a boat that isn’t seaworthy. It’s got holes and it’s in significant disrepair.
OPTIMIZE
Once we are fairly certain we are on to something, only then should we consider finessing it.
A tweak in a system. An addition to your tech stack. A customized resource that gives you that extra edge. It might not take much to increase the overall confidence of the offering.
This requires a different discipline than fixing. This is about details. About focus. About pursuing a type of confidence that comes with a perfectly tuned machine.
Using the same metaphor, think of this step like the boat floats but the engine doesn’t sound healthy or your ill-equipped for any sort of significant journey.
GROW
A high level of confidence in our systems, traction, and viability is the clearest sign that we are ready grow. You can feel it when you look at the metrics, or talk to a customer, or walk into the break room.
Readiness abounds.
Now! Now is the time to invest significantly in our key growth engines, partnerships, and channels.
Using the metaphor, now you’re ready to sail! Unfurl everything, catch the wind, and enjoy!
Each stage has different characteristics defining its behaviour. And more importantly, the experience required to navigate the current phase in order to transition to the next one is what The Connective specializes in. Book a meeting by clicking the button below.