The Road to the Top

Its hard to stay on topic with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs. So I will at least take a moment to acknowledge their continued success. They have swept the first two series and now they are starting a new series with the Magic. We have all the confidence here in Cleveland that through focus and commitment the Cavaliers will win this series as well.

And with that being said, maybe that is a good lead-in for this weeks topic, focus and commitment. I discussed last week the need for having a common goal and strong communication for Cleveland to move forward. That is certainly a starting point, but to continue on that road to success they also need to maintain focus and commitment.

In business when you manage your company you always define your core competencies, the things you are good at and want to invest in, and then when you are making critical business decisions you need to look back at those core competencies and ask if what you are deciding is going to help in those areas. If they aren't, although the idea may sound exciting, it isn't going to move your company forward and may even erode your business by putting time and money on things that are not nearly as important or may not have as good of a return.

Now I am not saying if you are selling car tires that you shouldn't also offer valve stems and installation services, but I am saying that although you sell tires, selling fireworks may make money, but really doesn't focus on your core business.

This same philosophy also needs to extend to managing a city. What are Cleveland's core competencies? Which ones do we want to focus on? Which ones may be declining and either need reinvestment or reinvention and which ones are strong and can be used to carry us forward. I have already mentioned the medical industry in Cleveland is very strong and that should be a focus area and that we approach with commitment. The current plans for a medical mart is a great opportunity for Cleveland to do that.

Next week I will talk more about these focus areas for Cleveland and my perspective on which ones are working and which ones aren't. And of course I will provide an update on the Cavs.