Why do certain companies succeed while others fail? During my career, I have worked for some very successful companies and then honestly, some not so successful companies. I have also seen successful companies take an utter nose dive while struggling companies improve. There are some fairly obvious factors that decide whether a company is going to be successful like their product offerings, customer service, competition in the marketplace, marketing strategies and of course price. These are all critical issues that will help determine a companies future.

Though, based on what I have witnessed first hand, I believe there are many other important factors which if not addressed will eventually lead to the demise of any company. Here are some of my important factors:

• Communication -The constant and consistent communication between management and it’s employees. Management developing the road map and vision and ensuring that every employee understands and has bought into that vision and everyone is proceeding in the same direction. I would also add that management needs constant input from its employees on what is working and what is not which might cause the vision and direction to be changed or tweaked.

• Apathy – Never stop pushing the envelope, trying new things and continually improving on what has delivered success in the past. The day you stop moving is the first day of a long and painful death.

• Environment – A company must empower every one of their employees to feel that each one is making a significant contribution to the overall goal. A team atmosphere must be created that employees can feed off and learn from each other. They must believe in it’s management and that they have a voice in the company.

• Greed – Once management as well as employees start focusing more on stock price or bonuses instead of the business, it is time to take your cash and get out. Let someone else who is still hungry take your place in line.

• Respect – Employees need to respect the leaders of the company and the leaders of the company need to understand that the only true commodity any company has is its people.

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