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The Switch

Small changes make a big difference

I once heard a mature and seasoned leader share an experience they had as a young person working for a railroad company.  Their story centered on a switchman - the person responsible for pulling a lever that moved the switch rail on a train track to divert a train from one rail line to another line, sending it to a different destination. 

They recalled, "Just the three-inch movement of the switch in the St. Louis yard by a careless employee started a train on the wrong track, and the distance from its true destination increased dramatically."  That three-inch adjustment made a difference of 1,500 miles in the train's destination.


Business owners and managers are in a position of responsibility, much like the switchman.  Their choices point to a destination for their company, much like the choices of a switchman pointing a train to a chosen destination.  Strategic decisions are often very directional.  Small changes can make a big difference.

Those who lead successful companies are conscientious and deliberate about making strategic business decisions.  But the very first step is to understand strategy - and specifically, the strategy necessary for success in your particular business.  Let us help.

The Switch
Alan Christensen March 22, 2024
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