This week’s focus: One of my key messages to my clients is the need to focus on their big priorities. Too many organisations get bogged down in vain attempts to move a million ‘strategic’ projects forward, rather than concentrating on the handful of initiatives that will truly help them achieve their goals. The phrase I use is a Japanese saying: You can’t chase two hares!
So, I was excited to learn that one of my clients, who has recently taken over the IT function of a major company has cut the number of IT projects from 115 to six! He explained that, largely as a result of the lack of focus, the team hasn’t been delivered a project on time or to budget in the last three years. What’s more, that the vast majority of the 115 initiatives had little relevance to either the company’s performance or its strategic ambitions.
By clearing the weeds, he is now far more confident that the team will make much rapid progress, achieve more and have a bigger impact on the business. I share his confidence and am looking forward to seeing the results.
How about your list of projects? How many are you currently ‘managing’, and how much more progress could you make if you radically reduced the number of initiatives and, instead, focused your time, money and effort exclusively on a small handful that will actually make a difference?
Off The Record: Busy Doing Nothing by Bing Crosby
Written by Jimmy Heusen-Van and Johnny Burke
I have to watch the river
To see that it doesn’t stop
And stick around the rosebuds
So they’ll know when to pop
And keep the crickets cheerful
They’re really a solemn bunch
Hustle, bustle
And only an hour for lunch!
© Stuart Cross 2018. All rights reserved.