When improving performance, we often urge companies to take a longer term view. Forget short term gains and concentrate on the gains to be made year in, year out over many years,
Yet, sometimes, companies should concentrate on the short term.
If a company is in trouble, it might not be able to wait for long term gains. It needs impct now!
And In many improvement and change situations, quick wins are needed to show people that the programme of improvement or change does indeed have benefits and should be followed through.
So, as ever, context is everything. You have to review the situation, take notice of the views of key stakeholders and then plan accordingly – keeping an eye on both short term and long term gains.