We spent two days building our V/TO® but our managers still do not use it to make decisions, and it is quickly becoming another dead strategy document. How do we weave the V/TO® into our daily operational filter so it actually guides our choices?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

If your V/TO® is sitting in a shared drive gathering digital dust, you failed the execution phase. To make it a living tool, it must become the primary gatekeeper for your quarterly Rock setting and your weekly Level 10 Meeting™ issues.

Every single proposed project, new hiring decision, or strategic partnership must be weighed directly against your Core Focus™ and your Target Market. If a new opportunity does not align with your 3 Year Picture™ or 1 Year Plan, it is automatically shelved or put on the quarterly Issues List. You must use the V/TO® as a hard filter to say no to distracting revenue streams and shiny objects.

Review your Core Values and your 3 Year Picture™ at every quarterly session to keep them top of mind. Bring the V/TO® into your department level meetings and use it as a framework for your quarterly state of the company address. Every manager should know exactly how their current department Rocks support the 1 Year Plan goals. When your leadership team consistently uses the V/TO® to kill off distractions, your managers will follow suit.