Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien. Voltaire
One of my favorite books is Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap . . . and Others Don’t. Based on a five-year research project, Good to Great answers the question: “Can a good company become a great company, and, if so, how?” True to the rigorous research methodology and invigorating teaching style of Jim Collins, Good to Great teaches how even the mediocre companies can make the leap to outperform market leaders like Coca-Cola and Intel.
So I ask the question, "Can a good affiliate network become a great network and if so, how?"
According to Collins, “Making the transition from good to great doesn’t require a high-profile CEO, the latest technology, innovative change management, or even a fine-tuned business strategy. At the heart of those rare and truly great companies is a corporate culture that rigorously finds and promotes disciplined people to think and act in a disciplined manner.”
When thinking about your affiliate organization, do you feel that you have great people working with your partners? Is there a sense of urgency with partner requests? Is there that je ne sais quoi in your sales/account management team? Is your team good? Or are they GREAT?
The following are five qualities that Jim Collins deems crucial for any company wanting to make the leap from good to great. How can you apply this to your affiliate organization?
- Level 5 Leadership: Moving from good to great starts with leadership, with the will and drive to succeed. Not on a personal level, but for the company to succeed.
- First Who…Then What: Next find the right people to manage and run the business.
- Control the Brutal Facts: Then look at the facts objectively. What are your core competencies?
- Hedgehog Concept: Take action based on being the best at what you can be the best at. Great in Search but not on Web? Not so good at incentivzed but excellent at email? Be the best in one thing.
- Culture of Discipline: Implement the resulting plan rigorously, with discipline and focus.
I highly recommend this book so if you are interested, click here
Care to chat? Drop me a line. [email protected]
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