Why You Need a Three-Dimensional Dashboard

If you are like most business owners, you are trying to foster a learning environment where people are engaged, encouraged to grow, and contribute new ideas to the benefit of the company. If you are trying to change the course or trajectory of your business, understanding where you are today will greatly affect how you go about an effective transition of the business. While understanding where they are today is important, leaders don’t stop there.

When driving a car, you can look in the rear and side view mirror, the dashboard, and the windshield. All three of those are important as you navigate the highway, as well as the business environment you are in. The rear and side view mirrors tell you where you’ve been and give you an opportunity to learn from those experiences. The dashboard tells you where you are now, and how things are going. And the windshield provides insight as to where you are headed.

Building a three-dimensional dashboard for a print manufacturing business, here are a few of the things to be considered. The rear-view mirror would consist of historical financial and operating metrics. The periods of time would be defined by how much variability you have in the business. More variability – more data, less variability – less data. The dashboard would give you a view of what’s happening today in the business. Financial, sales and lead generation, operational, and performance metrics. The windshield would provide insight into what to expect next week, next month or next quarter – again, depending on the variability of the business. This would include important financial commitments, sales presentations and customer onboarding, scheduled maintenance, and repairs on key equipment as well as any planned staff absences.

None of these are ever perfect, but most can be helpful. The goal is to provide you and the senior team with the insight to make the best decisions and to anticipate areas of concern on a regular basis. Think proactive vs. reactive.

Have your priorities in order and make sure that your team is in place, and fully engaged in making your business the best that it can be. Just an idea, what do you think?

Mike Philie can help validate what’s working and what may need to change in your business. Changing the trajectory of a business is difficult to do while simultaneously operating the core competencies. Mike provides strategy and insight to owners and CEOs in the Graphic Communications Industry by providing direct and realistic advice, not being afraid to voice the unpopular opinion and helping leaders navigate change through a common sense and practical approach. Learn more at www.philiegroup.com, LinkedIn or email at mphilie@philiegroup.com.