1. Examine – Assess Conditions (Inputs vs Outputs)
Goal: Understand what resources you have and what results you’re getting.
- Sole Owner:
Example: Review your time allocation vs revenue generated. Are you spending 80% of your time on admin tasks but only 20% on client work?
- Small Business:
Example: Compare marketing spend vs new customer acquisition. Are ads generating enough leads to justify the cost?
- Organization:
Example: Assess team capacity vs project deadlines. Are teams overloaded, causing delays in delivery?
2. Explore – Identify the Hidden Gap
Goal: Find disconnects between effort and outcomes.
- Sole Owner:
Example: You’re posting daily on social media but not converting followers into paying clients.
- Small Business:
Example: High employee effort but low customer satisfaction scores—why?
- Organization:
Example: Investing heavily in training, but performance metrics remain flat.
3. Envision – Define Success
Goal: Create a clear picture of what success looks like.
- Sole Owner:
Example: “I want 5 new clients per month without working weekends.”
- Small Business:
Example: “Increase repeat customer rate by 20% in the next quarter.”
- Organization:
Example: “Achieve 95% project delivery on time and within budget.”
4. Execute – Action Plan
Goal: Implement steps with rhythm and accountability.
- Sole Owner:
Example: Block 2 hours daily for client outreach; weekly review of progress.
- Small Business:
Example: Introduce weekly team huddles and monthly performance check-ins.
- Organization:
Example: Launch quarterly cycle reviews and leadership dashboards for visibility.
5. Evaluate – Review & Adjust
Goal: Measure progress and refine strategies.
- Sole Owner:
Example: At month-end, check if client acquisition goals were met; adjust outreach strategy.
- Small Business:
Example: Quarterly review of sales vs marketing spend; tweak campaigns.
- Organization:
Example: Semi-annual performance audit; update KPIs and resource allocation.