When I ask people what the vision is for their organisation, quite a few answer that they want to be “the best”. It’s not a bad vision by any means, but it might be too much.
In real terms being the best might overkill. Think about it in terms of the amount of time, energy and money required. If you’re in second place it may well cost you a fortune to become number one, probably more than the benefit you’d receive.
It’s the old eighty-twenty rule again. Eighty percent of the effect is the result of only twenty percent of the cause. The remaining twenty percent effect is much more difficult to achieve. Stick to the first eighty.
Think of the wonderful examples of companies that weren’t the best. Avis is perhaps the best known. For many years , whilst second to Hertz, they stuck by their slogan of “we try harder.” Avis has since surpassed Hertz in terms of revenue, but that wasn’t the original vision.
It’s important that the options for your vision are considered fully. Don’t strive to be the best just because it was an easy vision to think of. Understand the effort required to achieve your vision, and you are much more likely to see it eventuate.
Well I guess you need to define best first. It’s not possible to be the best in all aspects. May be you you’re the best in terms of employees, but not the best in terms of marketing. Focus in a key area and improve from that point further.