I try to always avoid false compromises. At KIND, instead of ‘or’, we say ‘and’ — we call that our brAND philosophy.
These are my five rules for no-compromise products as written by Jeff Haden in his Inc. piece, The Zero-Compromises Product Strategy. See the full piece after the jump.
1. Bake your goals into your business model. Even if some of your aims are in tension, a goal you don’t set is a goal you cannot achieve.
2. Identify every assumption. The innovation process starts with recognizing the usual thinking and methodologies so that you can then find ways to challenge them.
3. Ask the right questions. Repeatedly asking, “Why?” and “Why not?” is the antidote to incorrect assumptions, especially if an assumption that was once valid is no longer today.
4. Focus on the future. Shortcuts are tempting when you manage for short-term results. Instead, let long-term goals guide you.
5. View compromise as the last resort. “Or” decisions are the easy way out. Challenge your employees to find a way–they will be better for it.