Personalising the Company Vision

It is possible to identify a company where managers and staff have not been adequately trained and have not developed their leadership qualities. In a company such as the one just described, personnel make individual decisions without regard for how it impacts the ability of the company to fulfil its corporate vision.

For example, the person working in the call centre does not care if a customer is permanently lost as long as he or she collects their pay check. The managers in charge of the customer service departments care only about instituting procedures which decrease departmental workloads without regard to how those procedures affect the sales departments.

In other words, departments and people work independently of the company vision or mission. Through an effective staff training program, you can change these attitudes and develop the leadership abilities people possess while also showing them ways to apply those abilities in the support of the business mission. This difference in approach by managers and staff can lead to:

* More unified organisational personnel structure
* More satisfied personnel able to use their skills
* Increase in customer conversion rates and sales through better customer service
* Increased profits
* Increased customer retention

The first key to long term business success is having a well defined vision that is shared throughout the organisation. The second key is to turn that mission or vision into specific actions that are always supportive of that vision. The only effective way to do this is to teach managers and staff how to personalise the company vision.

Company Coalition

It is interesting to note that a company which provides high quality training programs to managers and staff is in effect creating a company coalition. This coalition focuses on creating a common cause within the organization. With a common cause, all interdepartmental and staff-customer interactions are focused on the good of the company. It is the equivalent of creating a “bargaining unit” which is always bargaining for the success of the company.

A company training program can create a cohesive unit by helping people better understand how their job function is a critical component of the coalition. When you belong to a negotiating group, it is easy to stay focused on the results which are desired for the organisation being represented. That is how your managers and staff should see their roles within the company – as negotiators at every stage who are seeking either consensus or resolution.

* Satisfied customers who are willing to purchase product or services again in the future
* Satisfied existing customers who are happy to recommend the company to potential customers
* Increased inter-departmental functioning leading to greater efficiency
* Personal decision making which benefits the company
* Enhanced management of departments or units

When staff personalise the company vision, they choose to make decisions which benefit the company and may or may not produce personal benefits. For example, a manager may decide to reorganize a customer service department for greater efficiency even though it leads to a heavier workload. Personally, the decision creates greater challenges. As a manager, the decision improves the ability of the company to respond in a competitive market.

Creating a company coalition through training can create a strong company ready to face most challenges. Everyone who works for a company must be able to personalise the company vision.