The Milking Stool - A Business Model For Today
An effective business model to withstand the disruptive pressures of today’s market place can be characterised by the three-legged milking stool used in the cobble stoned dairies of previous generations. The stool provided stability for the person milking the cow no matter what the different levels of the cobblestones, the liquids splashing around or the cows pushing and kicking.
The unruly, rough and tumble elements of the old dairy matches the forces of today’s market place working to create instability to unseat plans and bring a business crashing down. Success in business today requires three strong legs to survive and then to thrive.
Products or services clients value and will pay for. Exceeding customer expectations requires you stay close to them to adjust your offering to consistently meet their current and anticipated needs.
Strong consistent profits allowing investment in the business, the people and other resources to ensure it grows.
A great place to work ensures all that is positive within the business between colleagues is transferred into liaising and meeting the needs of customers.
These elements are easy to list yet difficult to achieve. A successful business is intentionally built through a strong robust plan implemented by the everyday actions, decisions and behaviours of leaders and colleagues aligned to the “three legs”.