HOW becomes the new WHY
Welcome to 2023 and what promises to be another incredible year for the staffing sector in the UK and Globally. Much has been made of the economic climate facing the sector and rightfully so. I prefer to focus on the positives and the opportunities ahead, rather than the negatives and the excuses. We get to work in the best industry there is. Demand will remain high, and Supply will remain tight. Those who will thrive, are the ones that best understand and leverage the first rule of economics.
The last two years have seen unparalleled growth in the staffing sector, after the black swan pandemic that was COVID. This, coupled with Brexit, lead to staff shortages and record demand. It was more difficult to not make profit, than make profit. This year will be different and will require more internal excellence. The right balance of Mindset, Dataset, Skillset.
As my clients look to launch their years and deliver key messages at their AGMs, the narrative is firmly centred around the “HOW” they will maximise the year ahead. Coming out of the pandemic, many businesses realised the importance of revamping and communicating their new WHY.
To thrive in 2023 and beyond, the WHY is no longer enough.
As the market returns to normal pre pandemic growth levels, more skill is required to grow in the current landscape. Having your “WHY” nailed is only your start point. Over the past year or two, the best businesses have been working on their WHAT, HOW, WHO, WHEN, WHERE to be ready to thrive in all market conditions.
The WHY is essential but is merely the start point. Businesses need to be crystal clear on the following too:
WHAT – they are going to do, in terms of strategy, services, markets, disciplines, geographies
HOW – they will deliver the operational strategy through a clear Target Operating Model
WHO – will deliver each part of the plan and what their roles and responsibilities are
WHEN – this will be achieved through a detailed 4 Year Business and Financial Plan
WHERE – the revenue will come from via a defined client strategy.
As APSCo Advisor of the Year and NED/Chairman to 14 fantastic businesses, Mastermind Consulting helps clients through focusing on HOW to grow, not just WHY you want to grow. Wanting and doing are two very different things, and it is here where levels of success are ultimately determined.
Beware the false prophets and anyone that cannot answer your HOW. A tough market will not affect all businesses equally. We may be in the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat. Here’s to another fantastic year.
APSCo members regularly ask us for recommendations relating to professional business advisors and NEDs to help them move their businesses to the next stage of growth and development. That’s why we created APSCo AdvisorLink - an evidenced, reference checked and quality-assured service packed full of the best NEDs and business advisors within the recruitment sector.
Sid Barnes