Week 6 Ascend Your Start-Up

 In chapter 6 of Ascend Your Start-Up, we learned about aligning strategy with process and measurements.  In the latest "camp" the author speaks about needing a systematic established process that is repeatable and dependable to achieve success.  To be successful the company must gauge how high they wish to perform and set clear cut goals that can be measured.  This is the basis for forming a measurable strategy.  Each business unit that makes up the company must be held accountable to aligning their business unit goals and strategy with that of the company.  To take it a step further, if there are divisions or departments under the business unit, they must align their strategy to that of the business unit to make everyone from staff on up accountable for obtaining the overall corporate strategy.  When the corporate strategy is updated then the underlying business areas must update theirs for alignment.

The second part of the chapter talked about applying strengths and weaknesses and filling disconnects that arise within the business because after all not a single person can be an expert on all subject matters.  Once the strategy is in place as we discussed in paragraph 1, the company must play to their strengths to achieve the strategy.  If the product is strong, then then the company should emphasize the product similar to what Apple does.  If the customer experience is strong, they may look to capitalize on the experience offered such as that of Universal Studios. 

In every business process and measurement disconnects exist.  This is where it is important as a leader that you hire experts in the field and use data driven decision making processes.  This way, common metrics can be used to align all teams.  Additionally, the business must identify leading and lagging indicators for key performance items they choose such as financials, sales, marketing, service, etc.

Finally, after strategy, metrics, measurements, strengths, and leading and lagging indicators are all working symbiotically, business leaders must reevaluate if the strategy and data is taking the company in the correct direction and stay or adjust course accordingly.