Eight Keys to the Summit g y Parallels Between Parallels Between Organizational Success and Climbing the World’s g Highest Mountains John D McQuaig CPA CMC John D. McQuaig, CPA, CMC
John McQuaig- my Background CPA and CMC Mountain Climber Bank Chairman, NCNB Author: Parallel Peaks: Lessons Learned While McQuaig and Welk, Climbing the World’s Cli bi th W ld’ PLLC Highest Mountains Clear Focus, Inc Actor Singer Actor Singer Real Estate Development Real Estate Development Student (MBA) Farmer Other Sports Business Faculty- LCC Business Faculty LCC International University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
Each year, US English teachers submit analogies and metaphors found in their students’ high school essays in a contest to determine those that are most, ah, “amusing.” Observe a few of last year’s winners: She was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't wouldn t. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree. The ballerina rose gracefully, en pointe, and extended one slender leg behind her like a dog at a fire hydrant behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East , River. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
Parallel Peaks: What do mountain climbing and running an organization have in common? running an organization have in common? Let’s set the stage, rope up…
1.Vision What is your vision? What is your vision? Power of a Shared vision- new car vision- new car Where are you headed? headed?
Vision – where you are going…3 or 5 years… Establishes organization goals goals Allows consistent decision making decision making Helps motivate and create a positive culture p Brings the stakeholders together- leadership, g p employees, board… Stemilt Growers, Inc Ultimately, visions get translated into sales and profit growth and return on investment, but the numbers come after the vision. In old style companies, the numbers are the vision - John Naisbitt and Patricia Aburdene “Megatrends”
Sample Vision Within the next 3 years grow Meals on Within the next 3 years grow Meals on Wheels into a premier nutrition service for home-bound elderly and disabled adults in y Whatcom County, providing a full complement of quality prepared meals and p q y p p personal attention seven days a week.
2. SWOT Analysis 2. SWOT Analysis Very clear analysis of y y your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
Assessing The External Environment - The F Framework (Opportunities/Threats) k (O i i /Th ) Trail Gear! Timing Competition p I ndustry Technology The orga niza tion Unlimited- storms, fire, rocks, avalanches How are the Other stakeholders? C Customers t E Environmental i t l Elements Shareholder Environment
Assessing organization Performance - The Internal Framework (Strengths/Weaknesses) What supplies are needed? Products and Services When, The Active, get it How Summit! Summit! Marketing and Sales g done culture? Structur Strategy Culture Vision What re y people on People the bus? System s and Processes Climbing methods, People needed, Finance etc. functions needed? Money needed Money needed and when
3. Preparation and Plan 3. Preparation and Plan A clear and concise action plan for the action plan for the mountain and the organization g
Kilimanjaro Expedition Planning Unit: McQuaig Plan John McQuaig, Climber Last Updated: 3/29/2006 Fiscal Year: 2005 Fiscal Year: 2005 Stand on the “Roof of Africa” Because it’s there! •Establish a budget and set aside funds for the trip. •Track fitness improvement to One hour on stair climber at level 11. •Recruit two friends to go join the group. •Hike to the top of Mission Ridge 6 times prior to the expedition •Ensure fitness through a well researched fitness plan. •Ensure good health through a well researched health plan. •Utilize a well regarded guide company with experienced guides. •Develop high altitude mountaineering skills through an education program. •Clearly research and understand the vaccinations available and recommended for Tanzania y •Combine the trip to Africa with a trip to a couple of missions of the Lutheran Church •Develop overall plan by 31-JAN-2010 •Research Guide companies and select by 31-MAR-2010 •Develop Budget by 30-APR-2010 •Develop Fitness Plan by 30 APR 2010 •Develop Fitness Plan by 30-APR-2010 •Develop Health Plan including required inoculations by 31-JUL-2010 •Establish plan for photo taking methods and equipment by 31-AUG-2010
4 Writing Your Own Story 4. Writing Your Own Story Kilimanjaro Guide Quote Guide Quote… English Woman Woman
5. Team Approach Dangerous on your Dangerous on your Lets stick together Lets stick together, evaluate, and we’ll all own! make the summit! Baker Summit Day Maurice Wilson Altitude Sickness
6. Sherpa- Guide I will not climb without a guide; Give me 20 pushups ! managers need a guide or g g coach as well. Kili guide- 600 times on summit Organization coach- Irrigation supply company supply company Coach helps set the plan and then follows up- all about then follows up all about realism and execution
7. One Step at a Time p How do you eat an elephant? elephant? Awesome views…approaching a pp g mountain Summit of Kilimanjaro… climber ahead Key Performance Indicators Objecti es Indicators, Objectives, Scorecard- measurements
8. The final dimension: Luck! Lady Luck will have her y way with you in the end! Mt. St. Helens experience… i 1996-Everest- 8 dead La Malinche La Malinche, Ixtaccihuatl, Orizaba…
The final dimension: Luck!
What separates high performance organizations from also-rans? Clear understanding of mission Clear understanding of mission Clear understanding of vision Strategic decision making Strategic decision making Planning and deliberate action Cohesive bond between all stakeholders All value the organization for what it brings to the table We use the One Page Business Plan
Mission Why does your organization exist from the Why does your organization exist from the customers perspective? Live Life Live! Live Life Live! Absolutely, Positively Overnight We move at the speed of business! W t th d f b i ! Saving the last great places on earth.
Focus…Focus…Focus… Focus… Focus…Focus What Problem Do You Solve Best? Be very specific! Who Is Struggling with this Problem? Where are they? How will you reach them? How will they learn about you? What are your specific offerings? Write your mission statement… Why does your organization exist from the customers perspective?
Vision What is your Summit to be?… Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks: Within the next __ years grow ______________ into a $ into a $__________(annual revenue/head (annual revenue/head count/clients served) organization providing __________ services to ___________ clients in __________ ___________ _____________ (geographic scope). What are you building? (3-5 years)…
Linking Strategies, Plans & Objectives Action Plans Strategy Objectives What will we What are the What will make measure to projects and this non profit know if our know if our programs we must programs we must successful over f l implementations implement to time? are successful? execute the What are the strategies success successfully? measures?
Sample Plans oklahomajazz sample opbp pdf oklahomajazz_sample_opbp.pdf mealsonwheels_sample_opbp.pdf
Put your Plan together MODERN 2 PLAN TEMPLATE 1 doc MODERN 2_PLAN TEMPLATE 1.doc
Go for your summit! There is no time like the present! p Two steps forward, maybe one back but the only way to reach the summit is to go for it is to go for it… Why do I climb mountains? mountains? We kind of sneak up..infiniteness. up..infiniteness. “It’s not life that’s important but living”- Carlyle
Questions! John McQuaig 509-665-6600 john@mcqw.com j @ q www.mcqw.com www.parallelpeaks.com
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