Supporting the Business, Not Building an Empire

“Supporting the business, not building an empire,” means prioritizing actions and decisions that contribute directly to the success and sustainability of the organization, rather than pursuing personal power or prestige. Here’s why this approach is important and how it benefits companies:

1. Focus on Value Creation: Instead of pursuing growth for its own sake, focusing on supporting the business means prioritizing activities that create real value for customers, shareholders, and other stakeholders. This ensures that resources are used effectively and efficiently.
2. Sustainable Growth: Building an empire can sometimes lead to unsustainable expansion or overextension. By prioritizing the long-term health and stability of the business, organizations can pursue growth in a more measured and sustainable way, avoiding unnecessary risks or pitfalls.
3. Alignment with Objectives: Supporting the business means aligning actions and decisions with the overall objectives and strategy of the organization. This ensures that everyone is working towards the same goals and that resources are allocated in ways that maximize their impact.
4. Focus on Customer Needs: Businesses exist to serve customers, and supporting the business means putting their needs and preferences first. By staying closely attuned to customer feedback and market trends, organizations can adapt and evolve in ways that keep them competitive and relevant.
5. Cultivating Talent and Collaboration: Instead of hoarding power or resources, supporting the business involves empowering employees, fostering a culture of collaboration, and cultivating talent at all levels of the organization. This creates a more resilient and adaptable workforce that can drive innovation and growth.
6. Financial Responsibility: Building an empire can sometimes involve excessive spending or investment in non-essential areas. By prioritizing financial responsibility and focusing on ROI, organizations can ensure that resources are used wisely and that profitability is maintained.

Supporting the business means making decisions and taking actions that directly contribute to the success and sustainability of the organization, rather than pursuing personal ambition or ego-driven goals. This approach fosters a culture of responsibility, collaboration, and customer focus, which ultimately leads to stronger, more resilient businesses

Having a clear vision for the best structure of your product team is important. It helps everyone understand their roles, and how they should communicate, and work together. When everyone knows what they’re supposed to do and how they fit into the team, things run smoother. Decisions get made faster, there’s less confusion, and people can focus on their tasks better. Without this clarity, the team might waste time on misunderstandings and disagreements. So, taking the time to figure out the best structure for your team is worth it—it sets you up for success.