What's your G.E.A.R.-Q?

Does a G.E.A.R. strategic planning session makes sense for your company? This quick quiz will give you an idea whether it's worth investing a day to redefine your strategic foundation.

1. Are your customers generally...

  A. Less demanding than they were 10 years ago?
  B. More demanding than ever?
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

2. Do you find that customers today treat you more like ...

  A. A truly valued business partner?
  B. An adversary?
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

3. Do your customers value the knowledge you bring to the business relationship?

  A. Yes
  B. No
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

4. Are you aware of the core generational values that are changing the foundation of business, and in many cases turning traditionally strong brands into commodities?

  A. Yes
  B. No
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

5. Are your customers' expectations ...

  A. Consistently being redefined by you?
  B. Rising faster than your ability to meet them profitably?
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

6. Do you find that distinguishing your offering from that of the competition...

  A. Increasingly involves more than just product?
  B. Is becoming more difficult?
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

7. Regarding the competition ...

  A. You have no real competition in your particular market niche.
  B. You have more competition than ever.
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

8. Are your chief competitors' strengths ...

  A. Something you currently leverage to your competitive advantage?
  B. Increasingly difficult to neutralize?
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

9. Is your current distribution system ...

  A. Adding value to your offering and helping you build market share?
  B. Actually helping to commoditize your brand?
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

10. Do you know what business you are in - from the point-of-view of your customers' real needs?

  A. Yes
  B. No
  C. It doesn't matter as long as you offer the best price and availability.

Now click "Submit" to add up your answers.