Only a few individuals would start on a vacation without planning first. Many people have a navigation unit in our cars or a hand-held one we can carry around. Quite a few manufacturers manufacture such machines. In our illustration let's name it Gloria—mine has a female voice. if the device you happen to be thinking of has a male voice you may not want to use the name Gloria.

The majority of these devices operate in much the same way.

First, each of them holds a map or can access directly a map of the territory. Almost every one of these machines has a map that covers a very large area. Normally, all of the United States and certain Canadian provinces. But, the map is not reality it's only a illustration of reality. Later in the article we will review this again. What's wonderful about that is you have access to the entire map any time, but do not have to think about it all. This means you only have to concentrate on a short section of road. A paper map can be utilized in the same way. A person needs to look at a small part of it.

Next, decide where you want to go. You will not have to concern yourself about the specific turns. Your job is to type in the destination. Some of the machines will ask you if you would like a fast route or a scenic route. Either way after entering the address and deciding on your trip criteria you're ready.

The 3rd step is to begin driving. No need to worry about what direction you go! The voice in the machine will keep you on track regardless of what you do. Wrap your mind around this idea. No matter what you do, Gloria will correct your behavior. If you take a left when you should take the right, Gloria will give you a new instruction to get you back on track. Gloria never scolds just provides suggested corrective action. You don't have to do it, but if you don't she'll provide another suggestion, "Take the next available left and then the next left after that". This series of driving, making turns, receiving corrective suggestions continues until you've reached your goal.

But, you know all of that in most cases. What is its applicability to business?

Far too many businesses don't operate with any sort of guidance system. Most businesses operate out of a philosophy of taking things as they come. This method works in a great many cases. A simple business in a simple environment will work well using this method.

Nonetheless, it's actually pretty simple and advisable to utilize the navigation system. Plus, it works really well.

Remember, you are in the real world and a map isn't the real world. A map is not real in the respect you can operate a business directly on it.

However, every business needs something to represent their business environment. What kind of a map? One that will tell you about vendors, customers, the government, employees, and everything else relating directly to the businesses operations. The term situational analysis is the map needed in this instance. This situational analysis is created and updated on about an annual basis. Normally once finished it's utilized as a reference document. This is much like the way a map is used.

Instead of physical destinations. Our business destinations are the goals we set. Much like physical destinations our goals can be a short time from now or a long time from now. All of the actions we take our much like short trips on the way to our goals. Record each individual's goals and objectives publicly so that everyone can see them. These and business goals are exactly the same as the address typed into Gloria's keyboard.

The individual members of the team will be at various stages of on-track and off-track at any given time. During the periodic progress checking meetings every team member is free to provide suggested corrective action to those individuals missing their goal. Just like the suggestions from Gloria, these suggestions—if followed—are likely to get you and everyone on the team to their business destinations.

Install a guidance system in your company somewhat like what we've described here. You will find it to be a terrific advantage to you.