(1 minute read)
The alignment of a business (or team) refers to how compatible their operations are with the desired objectives.
Alignment can refer to how well the organisation’s operations fit with:
- The organisation’s own goals and objectives
- Customer sentiment and expectations
- The market and current economy
- The desired organisational culture
Several things can cause an organisation to become misaligned.
- New staff who have not been correctly onboarded.
- Management and/or Leadership imposing standards and expectations, versus informing and empowering staff.
- The organisation’s purpose, mission, or direction is unclear.
- Team members act out of compliance, rather than commitment.
If poor alignment has been identified, it’s essential to understand the cause.
What Does Business Realignment Look Like?
An organisation that is misaligned risks losing customers and market share to more aligned competitors.
The extent of the realignment process will depend on the extent or severity of the misalignment.
Ideally, the realignment may only require small adjustments, with minimal organisational changes. Other realignment efforts may require more complex efforts that look to transform the business from the ground up.
Well-aligned organisations are twice as likely to achieve superior financial performance compared to their peers. The key lever? Alignment.
Alignment begins with a shared commitment across the team/organisation to a common direction, strategy, culture, and priorities. The alignment of a team or business must come from within, through commitment, not just compliance.