Is Your Focus Inward or Outward?

I recently read a blog by Dirk Beveridge with a reference to the "fox hole" and how we get comfortable at times in it.  "It" can be a love for our product and innovation above our love for identifying and meeting customer needs through dedicating the resources (time and money) to do it.

We may talk a good line--and even place the customer at the center or top of our org charts--but at the end of the day--where does the passion flow in a business?

Where does the money flow? Does it flow to product development and manufacturing improvements? If those are the critical needs--so be it.

But does everyone in the organization know and care as much about the business from the customer's point of view as they do their own manufacturing, engineering, or administrative fox hole?

What's Your Company Culture?

Innovative? Risk averse? Customer centric? Entrepreneurial?

There's a culture within your company.  Your people reflect it--and the leader at the top sets it.  Are you WHO you want your customers to experience?  Why or why not? 

If the answer to your question isn't what you think is right--ask your customers.  They'll tell you.  But deep inside--you really know, don't you? 

Most great companies are really clear about this--and at the end of the day--their customers are (1) at the top of the org charts, (2) in the center of everyone's efforts and focus, and (3) why the company exists.

Are you there?  Is your customer?