There are weeks that I look at what I have accomplished, and realize that it's time to adjust my route to the desired destination.  As an example, I have been working on product strategy, marketing and sales planning, in addition to taking care of the core business tasks.  Most of my time was spent doing what I thought was important, but it yielded very little in terms of the ideal outcomes. 

Despite my misguided focus, I actually learned quite a bit.  I learned that I need to do more competitive research, talk to more customers, and ensure that we're using the right tools to determine our direction.   Peter Drucker , a management thought leader that I hold in high regard, had some powerful questions that help me stay on track in terms of focus and direction. 

1. What is our mission?
2. Who is our customer?
3. What does the customer value?
4. What are our results?
5. What is our plan?

Since I have to tackle these issues as a lean organization, rather than a company with the resources available to it like IBM or Boeing, both of which made headlines this week, I need to focus on what is manageable and realistic.  Lean Startup principles will be applied.  We know what our mission is and think we know what the other answers are.  But I will absolutely be taking a deeper look at questions 2 through 5 as I work with our existing customers, and a few future customers.