Be clear what the aim is
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For me, a very personal example is when I first arrived at Granada; it was a company in deep trouble. People tend to think of it as just being in television but it was in lots of other businesses and in none of them was there a clear set of aims as to what success was going to be. Therefore, we were flailing around in all sorts of ways.
The first task for me was to get the half a dozen people who ran the key companies within Granada to sit down and simply lay out what they were actually trying to do. Without exception, they didn't know. And it's amazing how helpful it was to those who were up for it to then take on board what they were trying to do: so that at least everything they then did—and, more importantly, everything they asked other people to do—fitted into that overall aim.
We were bouncing round and round in circles. We didn't know whether we were in the catering business, the hotel business or what we were trying to do in television. Were we trying to be the largest player in the ITV network? We just didn't know. We just didn't have a clear vision of what we wanted. I'm almost reluctant to use the term 'vision' because it's so abused. For me, vision is simple: a clear view of what it is that you're aiming to do.
I think the lesson is a very simple one: be clear about what you and the organization are trying to do. Make it the first thing you do tomorrow morning to actually sit down and ask yourself: "I'm running this part of the business—what am I trying to do?" If you do that, it's amazing how much easier life becomes.
view textIt's nearly impossible to get somewhere unless you know where you're trying to go. As a leader you need a clear vision of what you're trying to do, and the clarity to bring people with you. Giving people the task of clarifying for themselves what their vision is for their part of the organization will help to secure their cooperation too.
Sir Gerry Robinson
Former Non-Executive Chairman, Allied Domecq
After leaving college at age 17, Sir Gerry Robinson had planned to become a priest. Instead he joined Matchbox Toys in 1965, a company he stayed with for nine years before moving to Lex (Transport) Group.
In 1980 he joined Grand Metropolitan as the Finance Director of the UK Coca Cola business.
He became Managing Director in 1982, then took up the mantle of Chief Executive of Grand Met's Contract Services division. In 1987 he led the management buyout of the business from Grand Metropolitan.
He joined Granada as Chief Executive in 1991, latterly overseeing the company's takeover of Forte Hotels in 1996. He was then instrumental in the merger between Granada Group and Compass Group in 2000.
He retired from Granada in 2001, and became Non-Executive Chairman of Allied Domecq a year later.
Sir Gerry Robinson is also well known as the presenter of the acclaimed BBC television series I'll Show Them Who's Boss.
