Traction
Get a Grip on Your Business
Get Focused with Traction
If I had to extract a single takeaway from Traction by Gino Wickman, it would be that most businesses lack clear focus! Focus as it relates to their core service, their target market, their marketing strategies, their goals, etc. I can personally state that I have worked for a number of companies who lacked focus in these areas. All too often, I see the proposed solution to increasing revenue is to add a new product… often something that is along the lines of their existing core offering, appearing to “compliment” it, when in reality all they are doing is diluting their core offering and the messaging surrounding it.
Not only does Traction offer guidance on how to simplify your business model, it also offers solutions to help you focus on the key metrics to run your business more efficiently and effectively. A phrase that comes to mind is the concept of “addition by subtraction”. The idea that growth does not always come from adding things, but often through the removal of something – offering space for what remains to flourish and grow!
Traction is NOT a Light Switch
It seems today people are looking for “Turn Key” solutions! They literally want to turn a key or flip a switch with the expectation that results will appear. Maybe in fantasy land you will find a good witch with a magic wand or a genie to grant your wish, but here in the real world, it’s not that simple. Yes, Traction is an operating system for businesses, but that doesn’t mean you simply download a software, plugin in your company details and revenue sky rockets! No! It requires implementation. It requires real conversations with stakeholders and leadership, it requires that those conversations find common ground and a unified direction. In addition, it requires commitment! Even with a unified direction, unless the ship continues to be steered, it will drift off course.
On a personal level
I worked for a consulting agency that was in its second year of implementing Traction. Sure, they had defined their core values, rolled out an accountability chart, created rocks for leadership, migrated company meetings to the L10 meeting format, maintained countless issues lists, and they even tried to evaluate having the right persons in the right seats. But, and we know that takes away everything before it, they failed to have a clear vision, they failed to let go of products and services that not only weren’t profitable, but also drained company resources. Further, despite an accountability chart, it was ineffective as too many employees were in multiple seats, this was further aggravated due to the nature of a visionary who was unwilling to “let go of the rope”. The owner (visionary) continually injected himself into the decision making processes of day to day operations. While on the surface having the owner “involved” might appear positive… but the real message that is delivered is a lack of trust and a silencing of ideas from those closest to the issue.
In no manner do I share this to dissuade the reader from Traction. To the contrary, I share this to remind the reader to not expect results from a system that is not followed. Well… expect results! Just don’t expect them to necessarily be the ones you are seeking. Many businesses have found great success with Traction, some faster than others. In fact, the author gives many examples of businesses that “sort of” applied Traction as well as the results they realized when they more “fully” implemented the operating system.
A few of my favorite quotes from the book!
Vision without traction is merely hallucination.Gino Wickman : Traction
Delegate and ElevateGino Wickman : Traction
Find your core focus, stick to it, and devote your time and resources to excelling at it.Gino Wickman : Traction
He who chases two rabbits catches neither.Gino Wickman : Traction
When more than one person is accountable, nobody is.Gino Wickman : Traction
Keeping people around just because you like them is destructive. (...) People must add value.Gino Wickman : Traction
Anything that is measured and watched is improved.Gino Wickman : Traction
What gets measured gets done.Gino Wickman : Traction
Problems are like mushrooms. When it’s dark and rainy they multiply. Under bright light, they diminish.Gino Wickman : Traction
It's less important what you decide than it is that you decide.Gino Wickman : Traction
Clearly identify the real issue, because the stated problem is rarely the real one.Gino Wickman : Traction
It takes longer to turn a large ship than a small one.Gino Wickman : Traction
Get it today on Amazon!
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