Focus on Outcomes

Output is only a step along the way

Welcome to our new section, Spark. Shorter than our normal posts, these are quick ideas or examples to get you thinking and spark new ideas and connections.

We’re not the first to talk about outcomes and output, but the pull of becoming output-focused is so strong it takes diligence to stay focused on outcomes, even when people are demanding output.

Output is something you complete.

It’s what’s at the end of the task.

An outcome is a goal achieved.

It’s the result of many things coming together in order to accomplish what you set out to do.

• Example 1: A medical test. The output is the x-ray, the scientific result, or the image. The outcome is using the information to make a diagnosis or determine a treatment plan.
• Example 2: A fast food franchisee needs a set of drawings to use to build their restaurant. The output they need is drawings. The outcome they’re really pursuing is an open, revenue-generating restaurant. Which is more valuable?

Are you focused on output or outcomes?

Additional Resources

• Chisel Labs: https://chisellabs.com/glossary/output-vs-outcome/
• Jeff Gothelf: https://jeffgothelf.com/blog/output-outcomes-impact-and-kpis/

Thank you for reading. If you found this insightful, give us a clap or share it with a friend!

This newsletter is brought to you by Nora Guerrera and Northome Group. Northome Group is a business coaching firm that specializes in strategy, futures forecasting, and operations. We’ve helped everyone from sole proprietors to large organizations adopt and operationalize a discovery-driven, evidence-based, and forward-looking approach, and we can help you, too.

Check us out at www.northomegroup.com or contact us at hello@northomegroup.com.