The Foundation of True Operational Excellence

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The Foundation of True Operational Excellence

Business Alignment

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Bigger by Doc McIntyre

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Powerful scene from Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (believe it or not):

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Eddie Murphy’s trying to reconnect with his 30-year-old daughter he’s been avoiding for 5 years, and she’s pissed and not interested.

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So he tries to put some blame on her and says, “Hey, look, we both messed this thing up; let's call it even.”

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And she replies, “A parent is always the parent; the child is always the child. We didn't mess this up; you messed this up."

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Moral of the scene:

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The authority figure, like the parent or the manager, always bears the bulk of the responsibility.

Eddie Murphy GIF by BeverlyHillsCop

Business Alignment: The Foundation of True Operational Excellence

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In manufacturing, there’s a lot of talk about Lean principles, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. But let me tell you this: none of that matters if your business isn't aligned. I’ve seen companies chase shiny objects—new tools, systems, strategies—only to hit a wall because their team wasn’t on the same page. Business alignment is the foundation of everything. Without it, you're building on quicksand.

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Alignment isn’t just about setting goals. It’s about making sure everyone—leaders, managers, and front-line employees—understands those goals, believes in them, and knows their role in achieving them. This requires clear communication, a solid strategy, and a commitment to accountability at every level. In other words, business alignment is where the rubber meets the road.

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So, how do you achieve alignment? It starts with clarity. Leaders need to be crystal clear on where the business is headed and why it’s important. From there, it's about cascading that message throughout the organization. Every department, every team, and every individual should be able to articulate how their work connects to the overall business goals.

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Once you've got clarity, teamwork becomes the next priority. In a well-aligned business, people collaborate, not compete. Silos are broken down, and the entire organization works as a single, cohesive unit. This doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional leadership and a culture of trust.

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Then there’s energy. It’s not enough to have everyone aligned and working together—you need the energy to drive that alignment forward. Without the motivation, passion, and stamina from your team, even the best-laid plans will stall. As leaders, it’s our job to ignite that energy, keep it burning, and lead by example. When your team sees you fully committed and energized, it creates momentum that keeps everyone engaged and pushing towards the goal.

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Finally, discipline keeps the machine running. Alignment isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing process of keeping everyone focused and on track. That means holding people accountable, staying disciplined in execution, and regularly revisiting your goals to make sure the team is moving in the right direction.

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In the end, business alignment is the secret sauce that transforms good companies into great ones. It’s not flashy, but it's the difference between spinning your wheels and making real progress. So if you want to unlock peak performance in your manufacturing operation, start with alignment—and don’t forget to bring the energy. Everything else will follow.

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Now go and Get Sh!t Done!

Adam Devine Hbo GIF by The Righteous Gemstones

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If you haven't read my book, Building a Kick-Ass Culture, click here and check it out. It is full of "how to" steps for building a healthy and dynamic culture.

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