| Whether you are working for a corporate | | | | design a new product. And once these new |
| organization or you are manager of a small | | | | products are available for testing and |
| business - in that case you are closer to | | | | selling, your business should shift some of |
| being an entrepreneur - we all deal with the | | | | its attention to this new product. Now you |
| topic of short term versus long term | | | | have at least two things to offer. What will |
| focus.Sales activities are known to be short | | | | you sell and to whom? |
| term focused, for the simple reason that you | | | | |
| cannot sell something that doesn't exist. | | | | How do you solve this ever lasting topic of |
| There are a few exceptions, for example, the | | | | focusing not only on core business but also |
| new Airbus is sold when there was only a | | | | on current core business and tomorrows' |
| prototype and in the construction area, | | | | business?It Seems more difficult than it |
| apartments these are first sold, before the | | | | really is. Even if you would think otherwise |
| complete building is finished.Yet in most | | | | not in the last place because of ever lasting |
| cases, there is a clear line between the two. | | | | discussions about priorities.To solve this, |
| Product development or new business | | | | you need to know what you have always done. |
| development are activities that require a | | | | That is always the best starting point for |
| long term focus. You need to think in trends | | | | any next step in business. How have we done |
| and any business case in such an area is | | | | so far and were we successful? Most of the |
| always speculative up to a certain | | | | time - you may not agree with what you see |
| point.Information technology is also an area | | | | when you look in the mirror, but it never |
| that favors future possibilities rather than | | | | lies. Just accept it and follow that |
| current quick wins. Maintenance activities | | | | course.© 2006 Hans BoolHans Bool is the |
| also have a more short term focus. You may | | | | founder of Astor White a traditional |
| prevent future incidents, but most of the | | | | management consulting company that offers |
| budget is spend on day-to-day issues.But | | | | online management advice. Astor Online solves |
| someone in your organization should take the | | | | issues in hours what normally would take |
| decision to build this new system. A team | | | | days. |
| should agree to start this new business | | | | |
| development. Another team should agree to | | | | You can apply for a free demo account. |