Work Session #3 - Vision in Action

The 4 Corporate Energy Cycles

Vision in action is the force that will turn your what-can-be into the what-is, and do so effectively.  In other words, it takes alignment of purpose and execution.  But turning vision into action is often not where corporate time and energy is directed.

Most CEOs and leaders believe, even if only subconsciously, that we will be successful if only everyone does ‘this’ or ‘that’.  This belief translates into a preferred focus for success.  For example, some might believe that ‘if only we can produce enough of our product or service, we will be successful'.  Or ‘if only we can produce cheaper than our competitors, then we will be successful.'

This preferred focus for success determines greatly where the corporate energy is channeled.  It also results in specific organizational behaviors, which can become contributors or obstacles to energy and thus to effectiveness and success.  Knowing how to identify your organization's dominant energy focus is an important step to ongoing effectiveness.

The format for this work session will deviate slightly from our SHURE™ Success Cycle format of understanding, commitment, action and learning:

1. To begin the process of gaining understanding, we present the 4 corporate energy cycles and engage you in discussion and argument until we all agree on which energy focus best describes your organization’s style.

2. Next, we engage you in discussion and argument until we all agree on which energy focus will be most effect in creating your what-can-be (vision in action).

3. Then we help you determine how to shift behavior to the new energy focus, what you must act on and how to execute.

4. And lastly, we help you identify what was learnt in the process and how to ensure that you and your colleagues continue to learn from what you will be implementing.

The process can be summarized as follows:  presentation (understanding), discussion (commitment), decision-making (action), evaluation (learning).

Purpose and Benefits

1. To ensure that you understand the concept of energy focus.  Every organization has a dominant energy focus.  And every energy focus has implications and consequences.  Understanding how to identify your organization’s dominant energy focus will greatly enhance your effectiveness and ongoing success.

2. To secure your commitment for the most effective energy focus.  Most organizations tend to be reactive, not proactive.  This means that often their dominant energy focus is not a choice, but a reaction to outside events or competition.  Instead, you can make your organization more effective by deciding that your Vision-in-Action will dictate your corporate energy focus.

3. To prepare you to act in accordance with the appropriate energy focus.  A specific corporate energy focus entails many characteristic organizational behaviors.  Hence, change the energy focus will require a action plan to shift organizational behavior to reflect the new energy focus.

4. To identify critical success factors.  These are factors which will help you learn to improve your energy focus, help you identify when you should consider a different energy focus, and help you monitor your progress to becoming more effective.

Who should attend?

All senior people in leadership positions (especially the CEO).  The outcome of this session could very well change where people focus their time and energy.  Only very senior people have the authority, power and influence to make this decision and to make it happen.

At the same time we know that organizational effectiveness depends on everybody in your organization, not on a select few: everybody must understand, must be committed, must act and must learn.  This is why we recommend that a second work session on the 4 corporate energy cycles be held for senior managers, executives and directors who did not participate in the initial work session #3.  And, ultimately, middle managers should also be exposed to elements of the work session.

How long does the work session last?

Work session #3 lasts one day.  One week after the work session we will have a follow-up meeting with you or participate in a conference call.  This will be an opportunity to discuss any issues or questions that may have surfaced after the work session.

The cost of the work session takes into account factors such as the number of participants, the planned duration of the session, the level of customization, the desired outcome and the status of the organization (e.g. profit or non-profit).

For more information on Work Session #3, please contact James McIntosh on direct line: (804) 754-0195 or email: jhm@vspinc.biz

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