[REPOST] Is obsession at the root of great organizations?

That look. A team member had just given me a bewildered look. In that particular case, I had insisted, with an irritable tone, how the game plan was to cut down on our new homepage design elements to keep it simple to its core. The idea being that even the faintest clutter would garble our company's offer. My impatience was fed by an obsession that fueled many other aspects of my business' systems. Could I be making a mistake in allowing this obsession?

After 10 years running a small business, I know now it actually IS part of this success story. Obviously balanced with sound management practices, it allows for the unleashing of a few key success factors. Here they are in the context of larger successful organizations:

1. Ikea: Obsession is nothing but intention applied to the extreme

When you think of it, if you obsess about something, you have a clear intention, or vision, and all your energy is focused on that intention. For example, one key to Ikea's success is in its logistics prowess, and more specifically its obsession with reducing its packaging to the strict minimum volume for ALL of their furniture products.

A table is designed for style and function but then adapted to be packed in the slimmest and most stackable way possible. This allows for significant savings that allows for competitive pricing on affordable yet stylish furniture. That obsession is pure intention applied to the extreme. 

2.Tesla: Obsession attracts employees in line with the mission

Has anyone heard of Tesla? The famous electric vehicle manufacturer is known for crazy job expectations and yet attracts and inspires the best. Why? Because it obsesses with its mission and will do and expect whatever is required to achieve it. Obsession attracts the obsessed, and in a company environment, it feeds its own self in reaching for the stars.

Tesla has achieved the impossible in starting a successful car manufacturer with obsession at its root. It attracts employees that share that obsession, thus improving their chance of success.

3. Apple: Obsession will attract customers drawn by its result

Success and Apple are synonyms nowadays. Stories of obsession about their quest for simplicity are all over the internet, especially surrounding its founder, Steve Jobs. Simplicity is a complex thing, and Apple has mastered it. It literally attracted millions of fans across the world.

Design, marketing savvy and great software explain a lot of that success BUT the obsession of simplicity is pervasive in all of the elements. Simple hardware, simple tag lines and simple applications attracted customers because no one likes to feel stupid in front of any machine and Apple obsessed about keeping it simple everywhere.

My own obsessions continue to influence how we do things at Solpak and I catch my staff displaying signs of allowing theirs in their respective mission within the team.

A few months after publishing our new website, job applicants would mention how our website motivated them to apply. There was something they could not define that attracted them. Our obsession behind the scenes had won again. It's ok, I guess I don't mind the occasional look after all...

What is your obsession and how does it affect your small business or project?

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