Can you draw a line with no clarity on starting point?

I was talking to one of the very senior executives of a pharma company. After initial pleasantries, we started talking about his company’s challenges and plans.

I asked him about as to where you are and where you want to go. He was visibly not comfortable beyond numbers (revenue and bottom line).

This is what exactly happens! Often companies and individuals do not define their point A or point B clearly (current situation to desired situation). Many companies may be quite clear about their point B, however, they do not bring so much clarity on their point A.

Point A is also very vital but neglected one (nothing beyond financial numbers). Is it possible to make plan for point B, without full understanding of point A?

It is similar like –

1.      A student wants to achieve 95% with no clarity as where he / she is today? Whether wants to improve 80% to 95% or 50% to 95%? Whether he needs drastic improvement in marketing or finance?

2.      A man wants to reduce weight to 70 kg. Whether want to reduce from 120 kg to 70 kg or 80 kg to 70 kg?

Why it is important to know and articulate point A very clearly? Because, one can draw a line only when he knows both start and end point. In above examples also, starting point makes lot of difference as it gives you idea of journey, time, efforts, capability and support required.

In companies too, clearly articulated and understood point A and Point B can make journey simpler.

·        If we have no idea as to what kind of culture, we are having today and what kind of culture, we want to build. What are the gaps and what need to be done?

·        What kind of systems / processes, we are having today? What are the challenges and what need to be improved?

·        What kind of capabilities are required? What capabilities, we do have currently?

·        What kind of products and services are required? What we do have?

Point here is, as much as Point B (where we want to go?) is important, point A (where we are?) is also having similar importance. Not paying due attention to point A, may not give you desired result.

Do you know, your point A very well and is clear about point B? If yes, rest, as we say, is all about commitment and implementation.

What do you say?