9Ignition Point 4: The Landscape

The Power of the Scout

One of the most common tendencies of any business is to become inward-focused. It’s also one of the most deadly. "Navel-gazing" may be all right for Zen students who want to tune out the world and become more connected with their inner, spiritual essence. But companies that spend too much time navel-gazing are so enamored with and fascinated by themselves—their brilliantly-designed processes, their wonderful corporate culture, their admirable history, their fabulous products and services—that they gradually lose sight of the purpose of it all: serving customers.

It’s understandable that this should happen. As a company grows, an increasing degree of self-consciousness is necessary and important. ...

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