Remember the childhood game, Red Light Green Light? Well, luckily for us it has been reconstructed to work for adults and kids in a different way but with the same message. In the book Execute Without Drama Patrick Thean, CEO of Gazelles Systems, created a system for setting and monitoring progress toward the right goals using a visual Red, Yellow and Green (R-Y-G) stoplight. Just think of the childhood game and when someone yelled “Red Light!” This meant you better stop and stop at that moment and not do anything else until instructed. Thean has created what he calls the “Rhythm Execution Program.” So in using the Red, Yellow and Green lights, the system will tell you when you better be careful and watchful (Yellow) or when you are in trouble (Red) and hopefully when you are safe and can move forward (Green).
I have heard Patrick speak in person at two different industry events in less than two years and I enjoy hearing the same story and message over and over. When he tells the story of his daughter utilizing the R-Y-G system to monitor the number of glasses of water she drinks in a day to help with a health issue, it’s great and hits home that this Rhythm Execution program can be used in a variety of venues whether it be for achieving sales goals or monitoring the activities that lead to a more healthy life.
It is no surprise that the R-Y-G system has been incorporated into the Gazelles “One Page Strategic Plan” that was introduced to us by Verne Harnish (founder of Gazelles) in his book, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits.” Patrick has added to the system a fourth light called “Super Green” which is a stretch goal that is intended to take you out of your comfort zone. It could be that SHAG (the Somewhat Hairy Audacious Goal) or the loftier BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). You pick.
My CMIT Pacesetters mastermind colleagues and I have been updating our annual plans, strategies, SWOT analyses and more to get ready for 2012 which will also ensure that we are using the same processes and definitions to measure our numbers and overall company goals. When I sat in on Patrick Thean’s one hour webinar last week, it was just another reminder of the critical nature of having goals that make sense for moving the project or company forward. This can include having the “right people on the bus and in the right seat” and determining the most valuable activities (MVAs) that will help you reach your 3-5 key goals or initiatives. A marketing and business mentor, Robin Robins, constantly harps on the fact that you have to have goals that are monitored and measured in order to make progress.
What are your goals for 2012 in your business and your life? Take advantage of the systems used by Gazelles by clicking here to review and access free downloadable forms. I would also recommend subscribing to Patrick Thean’s blog where you will be able to access his webinars such as the one I listened to last week and the accompanying forms. Also note the list of books for recommended reading. Take advantage of all of this in order to maintain a level playing field for your company.
