Check the Puddle Before Diving In

As I have worked on strategy and culture with numerous organizations this year, I see a common strategic weakness.? Organizations are quick to take on something new without considering the long-term effects or the overall potential of the opportunity.??Just because something might be profitable in the short term doesn’t mean it is the correct allocation of company resources or focus.? I recall my blog in 2015 when I discovered two ducks swimming and having a merry ole time in a mud puddle in a commercial parking lot.??

I must admit, at first, I thought someone had set decoys out to see if people would stop and look.?As I started walking towards the gym, I would just glance over, trying not to look right at them in case it was a joke.? As I made my way to the front of the gym, I realized the ducks were moving around and quacking up a storm.?

This was so incredible, the ducks acted like this was their new home.?The water from the recent rain certainly provided enough depth for them to swim around. ?As I reflected on the ducks in their new pool of water, it occurred to me that these ducks are behaving like many organizations do when they only focus on the short term.? What do I mean by that?? Let’s think about their situation. First, they found this new water and made it home without really thinking it through. There are a lot of cars and people riding and walking in and around this pool of water. That presents a lot of risk.?Obviously, there’s very little nourishment, and as the water continues to drain from the parking lot, the depth will eventually be too shallow for swimming.?Overall,?it’s just a short-term opportunity with no long-term benefits, and they might be missing a bigger opportunity at the local pond or lake.? ?

These ducks quickly realized this was not a good situation for them, and they were not hanging out there the following day.?

With exponential change in our front door, I encourage organizations to experiment and try new things. Learn Fast, Learn Forward, Learn Together.? However, as we engage with these new opportunities, there are specific criteria that we could use to evaluate if it is the right place for our resources.?

That is the base question:?Is this the?right opportunity? List the pros and cons.?What risks does it present to us?? What is the potential that we can leverage it or grow it to something that gives us critical mass??What new skills can we learn that will help us move forward??Does it provide us with any new partnerships or alliances that have future potential value??Does it have long-term strategic value??What opportunities might we miss if we focus on this one??Do we have someone to lead this opportunity??Do we have too many new opportunities going right now??

Just make sure the next puddle you dive into has some of the things that you will need to thrive in the future.?

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For more information on my presentations or to access my beBetter blog library go to?joeyhavens.com.