Strategy & Vision – successful businesses must pick a path that positions them to succeed and outperform their competitors. Hard work will not adequately compensate for a strategy that does not facilitate success.

Organization & Culture – determines whether the company has employees who are qualified, trained and motivated to turn the Strategy & Vision into reality.

Accounting & Finance – assesses whether the company has information that leads to informed, relevant and optimal decision–making. In addition, determines whether the business has the cash resources, systems and controls that support the plan.

Responsiveness & Execution – determines how well the company executes its plan and how responsive it is to customers–enhancing their satisfaction and loyalty.

Current Vision & Strategic Plan – determining whether the company currently has a comprehensive Vision & Strategic Plan that position it for success.

Work Environment – assessing whether the company creates the right atmosphere to unleash the energy, motivation and talent of the employees to implement and achieve the Strategy & Vision.

Accounting – determining whether the company has timely, effective and accurate accounting records and information.

Responsiveness – determining how well the company responds to its customers' needs.

Downhill Rides – determining whether the company is operating in an external environment that facilitates success without inordinate effort, luck or extraordinary skills.

Empowerment, Teamwork & Culture – determining how people work together and the degree of latitude employees have in implementing the companys strategic plan.

Costing – assessing the extent to which the company accurately knows the costs of its products and services.

Implementation of Planning & Goals – assessing how well the company sets goals and action plans for the organization and measures performance against those goals.

Reasons to Thrive – evaluating whether the company has strengths that differentiate it from its competitors and enhance customer satisfaction.

Effective Hiring & Training – assessing whether the company hires people who are appropriately qualified, trained and a good fit.

Financial Management – evaluating the adequacy of cash resources and the effectiveness of the management of the company's assets to optimize profitability and cash flow.

Continuous Improvement – determining the effectiveness of the companys programs to reduce costs and drive out non value–added activities.

Sweet Spot – slicing and dicing the business to focus on areas that offer higher profitability and growth potential.

Performance Appraisal & Accountability – evaluating whether employees know their goals and objectives, are held accountable for attaining them and appropriately incentivized to achieve them.

Systems and Controls – determining whether the company has adequate controls over its information systems and operations.

Sales & Marketing – determining the company's approach to and effectiveness of its sales and marketing plan.