Organizations are social systems formed by human beings who assume interpersonal relationships in order to achieve one or more preestablished objectives. The design of a Strategic Plan helps establish a path to achieve these objectives and goals set.
But beyond the definition of Vision, Mission, Values, FODA Analysis, Objectives, Goals, Discipline, Teamwork and so many other topics that make up Strategic Planning, which is the tool par excellence to coordinate the organization’s resources towards success, it becomes necessary, for the organization to identify its purpose, because we must be clear that achieving success and fulfilling the purpose are very different issues, both organizationally and personally.
On an individual level, the subjective validity established by relativism leads us to propose that all things will be seen according to the color of the glass through which we look, that is, that we could have equal values for very different approaches, which leaves us feeling of lack of reference and objectivity to life and reveals the need to identify in the personal sphere , an intention that allows us to place a further end to where to direct our steps, that is, with all that I am and have, what will I do to impact other people and the world in a positive way, what will be the personal legacy for which I
will be remembered.
The same is true in the organization, you will have to identify what is the value or benefit that your product or service adds to the social environment in which it is marketed, because there are many ways to make money as a result of having done an excellent job and consequence of the achievement of the strategic objectives that were designed, but there must exist in the organization higher purpose that leads to the commitment to improve lives and leave traces of a culture that will
remain in the time.
Anthony K. Tjan, in his post It Takes Purpose to Become a Billionaire from Harvard business blog, mentions several successful companies from different business sectors that have identified their purpose, for example:
- “Making life more beautiful “is the purpose of companies dedicated to beauty, fashion and even design of technology equipment. It also includes food companies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that have managed to give us that feeling by focusing on creating healthier ways of eating and living for us.
- “Making the world more fun” includes Walt Disney who has redefined the entertainment business and Cirque du Soleil, who have spread their creativity around the world.
- “Making the world smarter, more efficient and more relevant, “this purpose has led us to have, more than ever, more “knowledge workers” and we have all become familiar with technology and the Internet.
The purpose will be the distinctive brand of all members of the organization, the key element in the design of business culture and the beacon that will guide individual and team actions, through which the coherence of the statements that have been deployed on the walls of the institution and the behavior of all must be shown , from the janitor to the highest-ranking executive. If the organization defines an “exceptional service” purpose, for example, teams must eradicate disinterest
and neglect from their behaviors and focus on total customer satisfaction in an agile and truthful
manner.
The focus on purpose will generate riches in the organization and also in each of our lives.