What It Means To Be A 9,9 Company
We call it the 9,9 company – or on a more personalized basis, the 9,9 life. Just what is this all about?
In reality, 9,9 could be 10,10 or 100,100…the actual number is discretionary. The real importance of 9,9 is in the balance it suggests. We associate the 9,9 company with companies that are active, vibrant, growing, solving problems, making a steady and consistent profit, with great morale, effective leadership, dedicated followership, and constantly striving to improve itself and reinvent its products and services into ever better versions. This type of company has a feeling about it; the environment is alive and energetic. The rhythm is palpable. It is a place people talk about with enthusiasm and pride. It is a great place to work and build ones’ professional skills.
What About Other Companies?
Contrast this with the 5,5 company. This company does things well, but not great. In the range of good, better, best – it comes in with a strong “better than many” but not anything like the 9,9 company. It lives, breathes, and produces good products and services, but typically with little color, charm, or energy. The people there like their jobs, but many quietly are looking around for “something better”. This is a company that tends to ebb and flow with the times. When the market gets tough, layoffs occur and morale drops. When the market improves, new life blood flows into the company, and things improve. However, it is the best and brightest who tend to leave for better jobs when the economy picks up. This is a company with real potential but requires leadership more skilled at their craft.
And then there is the 1,1 or 2,2 company, which frankly, isn’t much of a company at this point. Usually due to a string of poor management decisions, the product line is lackluster, service is inadequate or marginal, and quality is just a word. This company is on a slippery slope to oblivion without serious change – likely from top to bottom. Products tend to become less and less competitive – talented employees leave for more interesting and exciting jobs. And the less talented ones stay behind, perpetuating the mediocrity which the company so loudly proclaims to the world. This company does not have a rhythm of its own…it simply is a matter of time before it dies.
This analogy can also be extended to the lives of those who lead, guide, and direct the company. For an analysis on the qualities of a 9,9 executive, click here.
The process of becoming a 9,9 company is what the Boston Business Group is all about – we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve success and build clear value through effective operational and strategic direction.
To learn how we can help your company become a 9,9 institution, please click here.