So tell me, what’s happening out there?
This is one of the most common coffee questions I get asked. It’s right up there with, “What are you seeing happening? How are others going? What are people focusing on?”.
I’m fortunate to work across a wide range of industries and companies, from enthusiastic start-ups to large multinationals. As we gallop towards the end of the first quarter of 2023, here’s what I’m seeing so far.
First up, there is a lot more optimism than you might expect. If you follow the news for more than a fleeting minute, you’d be forgiven for thinking that hiding under the doona for a good 12 months might be your best option. That said, the majority of my clients are feeling upbeat about the potential that lies ahead.
Optimism aside, there is acute recognition that conditions have certainly changed, and there is unquestionably a more centralised and relentless focus on driving towards future goals. There is a view that with less to go around, those that chase it down will ultimately win. This has manifested in a shift away from bringing teams together and re-establishing direction, to a more outcome-oriented execution and sales-focused mentality. With this, I am certainly seeing an increase in pace, energy and intensity over 2023.
Secondly, I’m noticing a very healthy culling; a drive to establish a tighter focus with the realisation that doing less can deliver more. With tighter budgets and smaller teams, it’s about getting clear on who matters most and understanding which segments, customers, and products need most focus. This is, without question, much higher up the client agenda than in previous years. In 2022 it may have been a conversation, in 2023 it has become a priority.
At the end of last year, I shared what I saw as the trends of 2022, and what I saw as the timeless truths. In this first quarter, two of these three are clearly evident in my work:
#1 Simplification isn't simple, but it is a sales enabler.
#2 Staying focused is both more challenging and critical than ever.
The third was about how teams come back together, connect and build trust through authenticity. And how this can drive the team's collective performance. While there are still some elements of this in this first quarter, it is less prevalent than the other two. The team focus has shifted towards getting clear on who is doing what, building structure around accountability, and retaining discipline.
Those that follow my posts will know I love the work and thinking of leadership and business strategist Jim Collins, author of Good to Great. I think this sums up the attitude of many of my clients right now:
“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline.”
As 2023 marches on, the half-year is fast-approaching as the next milestone on the horizon. If any of this is still a challenge for you or you’ve still got questions, drop me a message and let’s grab that coffee.