In our two decades of observing patterns of success and failure in companies across various industries, I've noticed a stark reality. Fewer than 4% of businesses in the US ever surpass $10 million in revenue, and approximately 17,000 see more than $50 million. It's a select category of companies that continue growing with double-digit growth, causing their companies to double every three to five years. These companies are experiencing constant change and renewal. The lessons I share in this blog post are curated from such growth companies.
What do they do differently? I am glad you asked, as they all stack together powerful habits, one on top of another in a regular cadence. They get better week after week, quarter after quarter, and year after year. The compounding flywheel effect of this getting a percent better each week adds up quickly; team performance and accountability culture happens and becomes part of your organizational culture.
I have found that companies need to get into a repeating rhythm to think about the business, plan their execution, and do the work. We have learned that we cannot truly predict what opportunities or crises will cross our path. However, we can equip ourselves to maximize these moments with speed and well-planned execution. Our Think, Plan, Do® process has a proven track record of success for over twenty years!
Our clients using this Think, Plan, Do process continue to succeed and impress. They have repeated this Think, Plan, Do process in a tightly coupled Rhythm of Work™ that I describe below.
Let's look at three case studies of companies that have successfully implemented this process:
What each of these successful clients has in common is a commitment to a cadence, a repeatable Rhythm of Work that became the operating system to run their companies. A consistent Rhythm of Work® allows leaders and teams to actively lift their heads above any crisis or chaos to think, plan, and work as a team. They prevent fires instead of constantly fighting them. And, when fighting the inevitable fires, they can lead with less drama, align their teams and collaborate.
A Rhythm of Work organizes your Think, Plan, Do® process and creates four precise and interlocking Rhythms.
The Think, Plan, Do® process and the Rhythm of Work® are not just theoretical concepts; they are practical tools proven to work in the real world. Successful companies have used them to navigate the complexities of growth and achieve impressive results. The key to success is commitment. The companies that have achieved the most success with the Think, Plan, Do® process and the Rhythm of Work® have committed to the process, stuck through the inevitable challenges and obstacles, and made it a central part of their business operations.
Ultimately, the Think, Plan, Do® process and the Rhythm of Work® are about more than just business success. They are about creating a company that is resilient, adaptable, and capable of achieving its full potential. They are about building a company that can survive in the complex and fast-paced business world and thrive and excel.
So, suppose you're ready to take your company to the next level, navigate the complexities of growth with confidence and clarity, and achieve the kind of success that only a select few companies ever achieve. In that case, it's time to embrace the Think, Plan, Do® process and the Rhythm of Work®. It's time to harness the power of rhythm and propel your business to new heights. Let’s schedule a time to see if you are our next great case study!
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Harvard Business Review (HBR) Paywall has additional resources available on this topic from the Harvard Business School