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What is Bhag? – The Ultimate Definition of Bhag Explained
Bhag has become an increasingly popular term in the business world, but what exactly is it, and how can it impact a company’s success?
Bhag is an acronym for Big Hairy Audacious Goal. The initially presented book was Jim Collins and Jerry Porras’ Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies. A BHAG is a long-term objective that drives an organisation to accomplish what is seemingly unattainable. It is a finish line that an organisation strives to reach.
A BHAG is not just any goal; it is an audacious goal that requires significant effort and resources. It should be a goal that is worth pursuing and one that will have a substantial impact on the organisation.
The Importance of Bhag – Achieving the Goal
A BHAG is essential in achieving the goal of an organisation. It provides a clear direction and a sense of purpose for the organisation. A BHAG helps the organisation to focus its efforts and resources on achieving a specific goal rather than spreading them thinly over different objectives.
When an organisation has a good Bhag, it serves as a rallying point for everyone. It becomes a shared goal that everyone is committed to achieving. This alignment of purpose and focus is critical for success.
A BHAG also helps to motivate employees and teams to work towards a common goal. It creates a sense of urgency and a shared sense of purpose, which can increase team cohesion and productivity.
History of Bhag – Jim Collins and Jerry Porras
Jim Collins and Jerry Porras first introduced the concept of BHAGs in their book “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies.” They studied eighteen visionary companies and found that all had BHAGs essential in driving their success.
The authors found that BHAGs were a critical component of these companies’ success because they provided the following:
- A clear direction.
- A sense of purpose.
- A shared vision that motivated employees and teams to work towards a common goal.
Types of Bhags – Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG), True Bhag, Good Bhag
There are different types of Bhags that an organisation can pursue. The most well-known is the BHAG or the Big Hairy Audacious Goal. This type of Bhag is an audacious goal, typically ten to thirty years later.
Another type of Bhag is the True Bhag. This type of Bhag is a long-term goal aligned with the organisation’s core values and purpose. It is a goal that the organisation is passionate about and will significantly impact its stakeholders.
Finally, there is the Good Bhag. This type of Bhag is a long-term goal focused on doing good for society. It is a goal that is aligned with the organisation’s values and purpose and that will have a positive impact on the world.
Characteristics of a BHAG – Long Term Goal, Sense of Urgency, Mission Statements
A BHAG has several characteristics that set it apart from other goals:
- It is a long-term goal, typically ten to thirty years in the future.
- It creates a sense of urgency and a shared sense of purpose among employees and teams.
- It is aligned with the organisation’s mission statement and core values.
- A BHAG should also be specific, measurable, and attainable. It should be challenging but possible and something the organisation is passionate about.
The Difference Between Bhag and Mission Statements
A mission statement is a declaration of purpose that outlines the purpose for which an organisation exists. It is a short statement that outlines the organisation’s core values, beliefs, and goals. While a Bhag is also a statement of purpose, it is much more specific and ambitious than a mission statement.
A Bhag is a long-term goal meant to be achieved over a period of years if not decades. It is a goal that is both audacious and achievable. In contrast, a mission statement is a short statement that describes the organisation’s purpose and values. While a mission statement is important, it is different from a Bhag.
Examples of BHAGs – Man on the Moon, Google organising the world’s information, Bringing the world into the Jet Age
Some of the most famous BHAGs include the following:
Google aims to organise and make the world’s information accessible to everyone. John F. Kennedy’s goal was to send a person to the moon before the end of the 1960s. Boeing’s goal of bringing the world into the Jet Age with its 707 aircraft.
These BHAGs were audacious goals that required significant resources and effort to achieve. However, they inspired and motivated employees and teams to work towards a common goal, ultimately leading to their success.
The Role of Bhag in Internal Transformation – Team Members
A Bhag can also play a critical role in internal transformation. It helps align employees and teams around a common goal, creates a sense of urgency, and motivates them to work towards a shared vision.
A Bhag can also help create an organisation’s culture of innovation. It encourages employees to think outside the box and develop new and creative ideas to achieve the goal.
Creating a BHAG – Tips and Strategies
Creating a BHAG requires careful planning and strategy. Here are some tips and strategies to consider when creating a BHAG:
- Align the BHAG with the organisation’s mission statement and core values.
- Make sure the BHAG is challenging but attainable.
- Create a sense of urgency and a shared sense of purpose among employees and teams.
- Encourage the employees to think creatively and innovatively to reach the goal.
- Celebrate milestones along the way to keep employees motivated and engaged.
BHAGs and Role Models – Learning from Successful Companies
Successful companies can be role models for organisations looking to create a BHAG. By studying their success, organisations can learn valuable lessons about how to develop and achieve audacious goals.
For example, Google’s goal of organising and making the world’s information accessible to everyone is an excellent example of a BHAG that has significantly impacted the world. By studying Google’s success, organisations can learn valuable lessons about creating a BHAG aligned with their mission statement and core values.
Conclusion – The Power of BHAGs in Achieving Success
In conclusion, a Bhag is an ambitious and achievable long-term goal. A goal inspires people to work towards something greater than themselves. When an organisation has a good Bhag, it serves as a rallying point for everyone. It becomes a shared goal that everyone is committed to achieving. Achieving a Bhag requires the commitment and dedication of everyone in the organisation. It can only be performed by a single person or even a small group. It requires the collective effort of everyone in the organisation.
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