16 Good Questions

Howard Mann of The Business Brickyard share 16 really smart questions that every business should ask. The answers aren't as easy as you thing.

1. What products or services do you sell? 
2. What is your core purpose? 
3. What are the biggest opportunities for your organization/product/service? 
4. What are the biggest challenges/dangers to overcome? 
5. What are your unique abilities/strengths? 
6. Who are your customers?
7. List your top 5 primary competitors and their specific strengths as you and/or your market see them 
8. Who do your target clients think of first when “shopping” your category? 
9. What is the biggest issue that is dragging down your entire industry? 
10. What do you dislike most about your market and/or your industry? 
11. What makes your business a “tough business”? 
12. What is your organization’s durable competitive advantage? In other words, what can you say that no one else can say?
13. Your “Skyscraper” Business. Describe (In as much detail as possible) what you would want your business to be like 20 years from today. Revenue, profit, offices, clients, staff,etc… 
14. What are the medium term goals of your organization? (Within 3 years) 
15. What are the short term goals of your organization? (Within 12 months) 
16. If we were sitting one 1 year from today, what (specifically) would have happened with your business to make you VERY happy with the results?

Suggestion: Put a note in your calendar to ask yourself these questions every six months. 

Comments

Yvonne DiVita said... (Oct 15, 2008 8:38:05 AM)

Wow, this is so timely for us, right now. As usual, Andy, you get the wheels movin' in my brain! Now...off to share...

Howard said... (Oct 15, 2008 9:03:06 AM)

Thanks Andy! Glad you liked them.

kyle said... (Oct 15, 2008 10:20:00 AM)

This is great! I have a conference call TOMORROW, and these are some great things for us to think about. (more on-target than what I would have created on my own)