POWER OF FOCUS THAT PROPELS ORGANISATIONS

  

                            

Focus we observe is one of the single most attributes that has helped organisations and individuals achieve wonders and change the way we live. Focus is derived from a combination of inborn interest & passion, mixed with honed capabilities in the chosen direction combined with an unflinching concentration in the same direction. When all these synergise and resonate with each other, they produce earthshaking results that could change the performance of an individual or an organisation.
Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success..Swami Vivekananda.

The sunlight which is diffused over the entire surface, can at best cause a warm feeling on our bodies. But the same sunlight when it is focused on a point with the help of a magnifying glass can cause fire to be lit that can be used for hugely material benefits or damages.

                                                                

This is a clear analogy from the nature as to what a focussed mind or an effort could achieve.

On the other hand we find a number of times, the organisations diffuse their energies in different directions, unable to choose one clear area of focus.

                                                             

While the most desirable choice is to choose a right area of focus which is not only in line with the areas of core competency built over time, it is important to ensure that the organisational energies are synergised and aligned in the right direction to achieve the goals in the areas laid out.

Indian National Freedom Movement is a classic example of the best results that a focussed effort led by a magnetic leader would achieve while the World War-2 is the classic example  of the destructive effects of a wrongly focussed efforts of satanic leader.

Some recent examples of companies built through focussed efforts of pioneering promoters..

Google	Search engine technology for high quality experience of information hungry surfers.
FaceBook	Social Networking among friends & Acquaintances
Microsoft	Operating Systems & closely related technologies
Apple	Breakthrough Innovations in Technology
Walmart	Discount Retailing
Infosys	Trade Indian Technology expertise with earn in dollars, spend in Rupees approach leading to highly cost effective & high quality  IT solutions to clients
Dell	DM approach to Technology selling with active involvement of end user to cut costs and end with empowered, delighted customers
Linkedin	Business networking on the web for a better career & business growth
Twitter	Microblogging service for effortless, instant and speedy information sharing

Interesting to note that all these organisations have offered some distinct benefit to their users and customers and always kept the customers at the centre of their universe.

While lack of sense of focus is clear reason for the limitations on growth achieved by a number of companies, loss of concentration on the core business and business models have led to steep losses or downfall of organisations.

Bausch & Lomb, the promoter of globally admired RayBan SunGlasses, was the undisputed global leader for a long time, till it shifted its focus onto the Contact Lens Business. While the contact lenses and related products’ grew, the lack of focus on one of the most admired brands in the world and BLI’s claim to fame led to sever losses and ultimate sale of its Eyewear business to Luxottica, a global leader in Eyewear, which not only turned around the brand’s performance but also took it to never before seen heights making it one of the most admired and profitable global brands.

In India, we find that companies like Tata Steel, Tata Motors and Bharti Airtel are growing bigger and bigger through strategic acquisitions in their domains of focus. However, care should be taken that companies do not take bets which are much bigger than their capabilities that may lead to their sudden downfall. For example, when companies undertake acquisitions or green field investments in their areas of focus by leveraging their assets and borrowing heavily, they should take into account the fluctuating exchange rates, the variations in borrowing rates and the likely demand & competitive scenarios in the future that may drastically change the value propositions and business models of Indian companies.

It would be interesting and enlightening to receive feedbacks, qqueries, case studies and opinions on the above subject. Please free to write to me at ms@mastermentors.in.

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