The book ‘Get a Life’ tackles three questions.  Although its aim is individuals and especially our spiritual life, it seems to me that these equally apply to a business or organisation.  The first question is that of identity: who we are.  So in a business or workplace context – what business are we in?  What defines us as people and as organisations?  What are our values and principles as individuals and businesses?

The second question is that of purpose: what are we here for?  What are our organisational aims, our strategy, our objectives?

And the third question relates to choices: how are we going to be and do what we hope to?  There is very rarely just one way to approach a challenge, a goal, a problem.  We usually have to choose from a number of options.  The choice may be very obvious or complex – more compromise than consensus.

So who are we, what do we hope to do and how are we going to do it?  Who – what – how.

Paul Valler, the author of ‘Get a Life‘, suggests that when we get all three sections into harmony, then we achieve a sense of ‘shalom’ or deep peace in our lives.  In organisational terms, I suggest this means there is a synergy and strength.  The three sides of the triangle creating the strongest shape.  As in life, so in business – this is a dynamic rather than static process.  Each of the 3 elements changes over time as we know and understand ourselves better, clarify our purpose and are faced with new choices for the journey.

And marketing?  For me, it’s meant a challenge to define what I and the business are all about – who we are, what we can and want to do, and how we can move forward.  One product result is the revised website.  Hopefully it makes our identity clearer, what we aim to do and how we can do it.  Has this been achieved?  Comments welcome!