Every Organization Needs an MVP

Results of an in-depth research project on organizations that enjoyed sustained success beyond those of competing companies yielded many important conclusions. Among these is the need for organizational “MVPs": Most Valuable Processes!

When conducting interviews with CEOs of these remarkable companies, it took some prodding to get to one essential fact: While they might not have realized it, organizations that continuously exceed industry norms have well-established, tried and true processes for just about every area of their operation. While there is always a proper place for experimentation and discovery, these industry leaders know and understand the importance of following trusted and proven protocols; processes that are predictable, repeatable, and teachable. In other words, “they don’t do random.” And these processes are not reserved for manufacturing alone. Here are a few examples.

Asked about their hiring processes, these leaders acknowledged that yes, they’ve developed and utilize well documented, systematic approaches to sourcing, recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and onboarding team members. “It’s not necessarily easy to be selected to work here” was a familiar refrain. However, painstaking thoroughness in the process most often leads to selection of the right individual for the right position, and to a lasting relationship.

Key account selection held a similar pattern. These businesses have succeeded in moving from looking for customers to client selection. This process, identified and refined over time, includes every step in the marketing funnel, to initial approach, research, discovery meeting, proposal, follow-up, sign-on and onboarding of new accounts. No detail is overlooked. Each step is clearly delineated, and responsibilities and outcomes are noted to ensure accountability.

Perhaps the most impressive of all these organizational “MVPs” are the unique processes that are part of their customer facing system. These leading organizations ensure enduring success with an essential marketing strategy of differentiation; creating a customer experience that is unique in the marketplace. They guard these unique processes with diligence, understanding that key clients value and will pay a premium for this “difference.”

Taking lessons from high preforming companies is a useful way to jumpstart organizational improvement and it starts at the strategic, not the tactical level.

To accelerate your organization’s successful growth strategies, contact me at joe@ajstrategy.com to set up an introductory call with you and your team. Improved results are sure to follow!