A strategic pillar is a broad, overarching statement that guides an organization’s efforts to achieve its mission. It provides a framework for decision-making and sets priorities for action.
There are many different types of strategic pillars examples, but some common ones include statements such as “customer satisfaction is our top priority” or “excellence in everything we do.” Other examples might relate to specific areas of focus such as product development or marketing. Regardless of the type, all strategic pillars share a few key characteristics: they are clear, concise, and actionable.
The most successful organizations have strategic pillars that are aligned with their core values and provide a clear sense of direction. They use these pillars as a foundation for all their planning and decision-making, ensuring that every action they take is in line with their overall goals. As a result, these organizations are able to make consistent progress towards their objectives and maintain a high level of cohesion among team members.
Being a great place to work
We all want to work in a place where we feel valued, where our voice is heard, and where we can be ourselves. So what makes a great workplace?
There are many factors that contribute to creating a positive and productive work environment, but there are four key pillars that are essential for any organization that wants to be a great place to work.
1. A clear purpose and mission:
People want to know that their work matters and that they are contributing to something larger than themselves. Organizations with a clear purpose and mission that employees can rally behind are more likely to create engaged and motivated workers.
2. A supportive culture:
Creating a supportive culture starts with strong leadership who set the tone for the organization and build an environment of respect. Employees should feel like they have the opportunity to grow and develop within the company, and they should feel supported by their colleagues.
Having Customer Empathy or Customer Centricity
The ability to see things from the customer’s perspective is critical for any business. After all, customers are the lifeblood of any company. But, what does it mean to have customer empathy? And how can businesses foster a more customer-centric culture?
At its core, customer empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of your customers. It’s about putting yourself in their shoes and seeing the world through their eyes. It’s about understanding their needs, wants, and pain points. Only then can you hope to provide them with the best possible experience.
That might sound like a tall order, but there are some practical ways that businesses can start to become more empathetic towards their customers. Here are a few examples:
1. Listen to feedback (and act on it!)
One of the best ways to gain insights into your customers’ needs and wants is simply to listen to them. Encourage feedback at every touchpoint – from initial contact through to post-purchase follow-up – and make sure you act on it! Use feedback surveys, social media monitoring tools, call center recordings and other data sources to really understand what your customers are saying about you (both good and bad). Then use that information to improve your products/services and make necessary changes within your organization.
Operational excellence
There are many different ways to achieve operational excellence, but there are four strategic pillars that are essential:
1) Continuous Improvement: A key element of operational excellence is continuous improvement. This means constantly looking for ways to improve your systems and processes so that you can deliver better results for your customers. It requires employees to be proactive in identifying problems and finding solutions. Continuous improvement also requires regular review and adjustment of goals so that you can stay on track and continue making progress.
2) Lean Principles: Lean principles help organizations eliminate waste so that they can operate more efficiently. By streamlining processes and eliminating unnecessary steps, lean organizations are able to provide higher levels of customer value while using fewer resources. Lean principles can be applied across all areas of an organization, from manufacturing to administration.
3) Six Sigma: Six Sigma is a data-driven approach to improving quality by reducing defects. Six Sigma uses statistical tools and techniques to identify causes of defects so that they can be eliminated or minimized. It is important for organizations pursuing operational excellence to adopt Six Sigma methods so that they can ensure their products or services meet the highest standards possible.
4) Total Quality Management (TQM): TQM is an approach that focuses on ensuring consistent quality in all aspects of an organization’s operations. TQM involves everyone in the organization from top management down to front-line employees, all working together towards the common goal of delivering high-quality products or services. To be successful, TQM requires commitment from everyone in the organization as well as clear policies, procedures, and objectives.