The evidence is overwhelming external rules and regulations cannot regulate bad behaviors. Yet, this appears to be the solution for many and is costing U.S businesses billion dollars in lost productivity, health care costs, legal costs, lost customers to ineffective training and development.
Effective organizations identify and develop a clear, concise and shared meaning of values/beliefs, priorities, and direction so that everyone understands and can contribute. Once defined, values impact every aspect of your organization.
Often the hardest part of the process is honestly determining what your business is. For instance, suppose your business provides a payroll processing service. In its simplest sense its business is providing financial convenience to its clients. The company performs a task that other companies would rather not do. Seeing your business in this light, provides a broader picture of financial convenience extending beyond simply doing the payroll. Why not add book keeping, tracking and collecting receivables, and personnel consulting? In this way, the planning process not only is a process for achieving goals, but prompts questions that may turn into opportunities.