The Perks Of Precise Position Planning

It’s imperative to have a plan to get where you want to be in life. If you simply go where the breeze takes you, you’ll likely not end up with the life you’ve always imagined. The same goes for companies. Leadership teams have the task of deciding the future position of the business. This decision must be followed by the thorough research, shrewd planning, and consistent execution it takes to realize the organization’s desired position.

Let’s look at what it means to be intentional about choosing your company’s future position, as well as why it’s so essential to do so.

Your current position vs. your desired future position.

While your company’s current position can’t be drastically changed at a moment’s notice, its future position is something that can be shifted with the right data and a compelling vision.

Operating with an undefined future position is one of the riskiest places your company can be. If you and your leadership team aren’t actively planning the business’s future position then you have little or no control over how successful you will be in say, five years. One major shift in your industry or niche, and your revenue might go into freefall, leaving you in a far less advantageous position than you were in before.

Plotting your future position.

So, where do you want to see your business five years from now? If your answers don’t stray far from your current positioning, I would advise you to dig deeper. Change is the only constant, and it’s critical to keep a watchful eye on burgeoning trends, up-and-coming innovations, industry disruptors, etc. to stay profitable and relevant.

When considering the desired future positioning of an organization, I like to ask two broad questions–where to play and how to win. If ruminated on thoroughly enough, these two general queries can help you decide your desired position. Here are some additional prompts to help get you started:

Where do you plan to play?

• Who are your customers?
• What kinds of products are you offering?
• Where will you sell and how?

How do you plan to win?

• How is your product unique compared to the competition?
• In what ways are your offerings superior to those in similar market positions?
• Can you sustainably scale and grow your model? If so, how?

Hike the trail that’s worth the effort.

Changing the course of your company’s future doesn’t come without hard decisions, doubt, and sacrifices. Make sure that you are charting a wise course. If you decide on an unrealistic or out-of-touch future position, all efforts might be in vain. Sound positions are:

• Distinct. Choose a unique position in order to gain ground not otherwise claimed.
• Compelling. A future position should create enthusiasm among all stakeholders.
• Research-backed. Promising positions are based on verified trends and pressure-tested data, not whims or internal ideals.
• Laser-focused. An indecisive or scattered position can result in wasted efforts and slow progress, giving more focused competitors time to gain ground.

It’s also vital to remember that in order to go wholeheartedly in the direction of your future position, you must be willing to completely let go of your current position. This is how you make room to improve!

With a solid future position and the right leadership team, the sky’s the limit. Approach the steering of your company with resilience. By staying on track even when things seem grim, you will be more likely to find success in the long run.