Insights

The Evolution of Organizational Value

j
By Kevin Lyons
}
11.17.2021
Outsourcing Header

BlueSky Commerce Blog

Featured

Related Posts

BlueSky Commerce Named a 2024 Best Place to Work Company

BlueSky Commerce, a premier eCommerce Technology Consultancy and Experience Agency, proudly announces its recognition in the Indiana Chamber’s esteemed Best Places to Work rankings for the eleventh year in the small business category. CEO Todd Irwin emphasizes the...

read more

Stand Out from Your Competition

Customer expectations continue to rise. Digital consumers want a faster, more personalized, and effortless "in the moment" experience and won't hesitate to move to your competitor to get what they want.  Competition has never been greater - but the ability to stand...

read more

Have Questions?

Get In Touch

About the Author

Kevin Lyons

Kevin Lyons

Kevin Lyons serves as BlueSky's Chief Strategy Officer. Kevin is a growth-minded executive who overcomes complex business challenges by matching customer unmet needs and team member strengths. Kevin uses innovative solutions, based on solid judgement, strong work ethic, and integrity to provide strategic consulting to our clients.
View Kevin's Latest Articles:

Follow Us

The Evolution of Organizational Value

“What has happened to the 5 P’s?”

A couple of weeks back I posted a poll on LinkedIn asking about what has changed with the old adage of the 5 P’s of marketing (or the 7 P’s depending on which version you subscribe to). The reason for that poll was based on a conversation I had with a colleague and a client. This particular client is the founder of a small company. The point I was trying to make in our discussion was about the personality, drive, and knowledge it requires for a founder or leader to compel others to buy into that vision. References I cited are from several examples of companies that have outpaced the market in shareholder growth, innovation, and customer growth including:

Tesla (also Space X, Boring, etc.) under Elon Musk

Apple under Steve Jobs

Microsoft under Bill Gates

Amazon under Jeff Bezos

Virgin under Richard Branson

Kendra Scott under, well, Kendra Scott

The list can be bigger, but I focus on these for this common reason. It was not necessarily the millions in marketing (actually Tesla doesn’t do marketing), or the right price (one could argue Apple doesn’t really utilize a competitive pricing model) for instance. The reason is the Personality and Passion of the leader that carried these brands through startup, rough times, and a lot of naysayers to get where they are now. Some are out of the picture at these organizations, yet their legacy lives on.  

In essence, the 5 P’s of Business Value have evolved into the P that once stood for People is now a Person: meaning it is the charisma and personality of the business leader that has been propelling the organization forward. It is in no way means that People (the team) are not a key part of delivering the value. This is where the culture (perhaps the new P is Persona?) comes into play.

No matter what a small business seems on paper in the beginning, the leader or founder, through sheer determination and will, will be the most fascinating essence of that organization, that no one supporting them should ever take for granted. I have witnessed too often as a client, and now as a consulting partner, that solution providers try to impose their beliefs, thoughts, and opinions on a company. Of course, the leader may have hired that solution provider for their expertise, but not at the expense of the company or the leader’s culture. Even if things are a little rocky inside the organization, it is always important to study and observe how it all started and how it is surviving from the person that was responsible for it.  

The Balancing Act of Business

The balancing act of business

My favorite analogy when talking to business leaders about Strategic Planning is the 4-Way Teeter Totter. Planning out your business has to consider the delicate nature of balancing your people, your operations, the platforms you operate on, and the culture of the organization. I add that Culture is the biggest kid on the playground. The culture is a direct reflection of the leader and no matter what you do with the other three, you must do so in respect of that culture.  

We are always working to stay ahead of the evolution of business and the value equations that make the organization what it is (or can be). We also are very mindful of the organizational culture that creates real value when we work on the strategy, a marketing plan, organizational needs for talent, and the technology that automates the processes and operations of the organization.

If you feel the culture is in need of a change, whether at the request of the leader or because you observed enough to discuss it, then you have to build the other three components alongside that change, not in isolation from it. If one is not viable (e.g. investments in new technology), then you need to over-invest efforts in people or processes to overcome it. Our use of the Baldrige methodology accounts for this.  Driving transformation is a journey and we feel confident the combination of Leadership, Strategy, Customers, Measurements, Workforce, Operations, and Results will get you there.

Start the Conversation

BlueSky’s unmatched commerce expertise allows us to help our clients understand how to utilize omnichannel and business solutions to reach, attract, engage, and grow customers.

Related Posts

Meet BlueSky Commerce at Envision B2B!

Meet BlueSky Commerce at Envision B2B!

BlueSky Commerce is thrilled to announce that we will be exhibiting at the Envision B2B conference in Chicago! We invite you to join us at this exciting gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and forward-thinking eCommerce professionals, as we shape the future of...

Introducing New HCL Commerce Starter Store

Introducing New HCL Commerce Starter Store

BlueSky Commerce and HCL Commerce co-developed "Ruby" You may be hearing some buzz lately about “Ruby” - the new HCL Commerce React-based starter store. Ruby is a production-ready starter storefront, available for HCL Commerce clients, starting in summer 2023. HCL and...

Catch up with BlueSky Commerce at Shoptalk 2023!

Catch up with BlueSky Commerce at Shoptalk 2023!

Let's Talk Shop at Shoptalk!Are you attending Shoptalk this year? Thousands of retail change-makers converge every year to create the future of retail at this event. Join BlueSky at Shoptalk to hear from some of the largest retail brands and uncover the latest...