5 questions to ask in the struggle to achieve pre-covid service levels.

“Business as usual” has little meaning in today’s world.

After the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns and disruption to supply chains and labour markets, you might be considering how to rebuild your business.

Reconsider your purpose as a starting point and ask 5 questions.

  1. If there was only one thing you could do to re-establish/grow/improve your business, what would it be and how would you make it happen?
  2. If there was only one thing you could focus on to improve your own personal performance, what would that be and how would you make it happen?
  3. What market signals or messages are you not listening to or not confronting and how will you respond to them?
  4. What three things are going right for the business and how can you capitalise on these?
  5. What is the purpose of your business? Do your answers to the first four questions support that purpose?

Spence and Rushing argue that believing deeply in your purpose is the way to build and nurture your business. Look at every decision, big and small did you make and ask whether or not it will support or subvert your core purpose. Focus on purpose, and keep in mind why you are in business and profits will follow. Keep in mind what you are fighting for.

Spence R M and Rushing H (2011) It’s Not What You Sell,
 It’s What You Stand For: Why Every Extraordinary Business
 Is Driven by Purpose.  Portfolio Trade ISBN-10:1591844479
 See Page 295