In the end, it is all about the client

Our economic culture has become one that waves the financial flag.  The stock market looks at publicly traded companies and demand higher returns.  Every hick up in the world impacts a companies "value", regardless sometimes of what that company did or didn't do.  For a privately held company, most of the time, it isn't that different.  The principle owners expect their vision to by carried out and look to their CFO's to measure success based on a smattering metrix devices and drive the organization to an expected EBIDTA.

Leaders of organizations find themselves constantly being evaluated based on how much revenue comes in and how much profit is made.  In the end, the bottom line is all that really matters...well, let's look again.

When casting a vision and leading people, is waiving the financial banner and constantly putting a KPI update in front of them helping them to be better leaders?  Does the constant focus on wealth really improve a company, inpsire people to perform and ultimately create a strategy that is followed?  The hopeful positive outcome for a business is to make money of course, this is not denying the importance of profit, just questioning the method in which to achieve those desired results.

If leaders are to successfully lead people to the financial high ground, then they must be focused on having sales that are needed in the market, that are profitable and are sustainable.  The products and solutions offered need to be ones that clients see value.  Service needs to exceed expectations and keep clients returning.  This may seem to be common sense to you, and you may acknowledge clients are needed, but are they beloved and cared for and used as the measuring stick of the health of your organization?

A leader must listen to their clients.  Yes, that was a period.  The market is built of clients and consumers that have expectations, problems, needs and objectives, and in order to meet those, you need to listen.  You need to have a vantage point and understanding of the needs of your audience and lead your team in that direction.

Simply casting your vision, setting a financial objective and ignoring your client base will result in disaster.  We have talked about starting with your people, investing in them and having a heart to serve them versus direct them.   Now, we are talking about where to lead them to...and that answer is simple, where your clients wants to go.