It was 3.30 in the morning and I knew I had to get up. I really did not want to switch on the light, because I knew that if I did I would never get back to sleep. So groping for a post-it pad, in the dark I scribbled two words: ELITE and CORE. After a while I relaxed and was able to go back to sleep knowing that by morning I would not have forgotten.
I have these Kubla Kahn http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubla_Khan moments from time to time- a flash of inspiration, in the middle of the night. Something I have been working on for days, weeks, months or even years, suddenly everything gels into a clear, communicable concept.
This was it. The fundamental foundations all successful businesses have in common.
1. Strategy,
2. Leadership,
3. Innovation
4. Teamwork
5. Communication
6. Focus on Results
7. Executing with Excellence
I not only had my magic number 7 I also had a great acronym.