Try to Hit Many Singles and Doubles, Not Just Home Runs(1 / 2)

TrytoHitManySinglesandDoubles,NotJustHomeRuns

Breakthroughsaretoounpredictable.Therefore,you'remuchbetterofftryingtomakemarginalimprovementsinyouractivitiesandsocialprocessesdayinanddayout.Overtime,alongrunofsteadyincrementalincreasescanresultinprofitablerevenuegrowth.

Singlesanddoublesareforwardlooking.Theydon'tresultfromlookingintherearviewmirror,butoccurwhenemployeeslookfromtheoutsidein—thatis,fromthecustomer'sperspective.Singlesanddoubleshappenwhenthecompanyexecutesbetterthanitscompetitors.

■Gaugewhetheryourorganizationishittingsinglesanddoubles—tryworkingthroughsomeprobingquestionsforeachdepartment:

·Salesforce

Areyoufocusingonfindingoutwhatotherthingsthecompanycandoforitsexistingcustomers?

Doyoufocusonthecustomerswiththebiggestpotential?

Areyoulookingforwaystouseourintellectualpropertytohelpcustomersgrowtheirownbusinesses?

Doyouunderstandhowcustomersmakedecisionsandtheinternalsocialnetworkstheyuse?

Forlargercustomers,dowehaveasalesperson-in-residencewhoknowseverythingthat'shappeningthereandisonthelookoutfornewbusinessopportunities?