What makes a country "great"? 

This is inherently subjective but covers multiple dimensions.

Economic prosperity

A strong, stable economy that creates opportunities for citizens, maintains reasonable inflation, and supports innovation.

Political system

Functional governance with checks and balances, transparency, rule of law, and protection of civil liberties.

Social cohesion

A sense of shared identity and purpose, with reasonable levels of trust between citizens and institutions.

Quality of life

Access to healthcare, education, housing, nutrition, clean environment, and work-life balance.

Global influence

Diplomatic, cultural, and economic impact beyond borders.

Resilience

Ability to manage crises effectively and adapt to changing circumstances.

Values

Looking after its most vulnerable populations and upholding its stated principles.

Historical impact

Contributions to science, arts, human rights, and global progress.

Overall

Donald Trump’s current focus is clearly on economic prosperity, which can be detrimental to other dimensions. 

In light of this the prime objective of the current US administration seems to be to make America “rich”, rather than “great”. 

What makes a company “great”?

Similarly, what makes a company "great" has multiple dimensions, with different stakeholders prioritising different aspects.

Financial performance

Sustained profitability, growth, and return on investment creating value for shareholders.

Innovation

Ability to develop new products and services that solve meaningful problems.

Customer focus

Delivering exceptional value and experiences that build loyalty and a positive reputation.

Workplace culture

Creating an environment where employees can thrive, develop, and find meaning in their work.

Leadership

Vision, strategic execution, and adaptability in changing circumstances.

Operational excellence

Efficiency, reliability, and quality in delivering products or services.

Purpose and impact

Contributing positively to society beyond profit-making, addressing social or environmental challenges.

Resilience

Capacity to navigate crises, market shifts, and competitive threats.

Ethical conduct

Integrity in business practices, transparency, and responsibility toward all stakeholders.

Overall

To be “great”, companies must excel in multiple areas rather than just one. 

Some prioritise short-term returns while others focus on long-term sustainability. 

Some are known for technological breakthroughs. 

Others distinguish themselves through extraordinary customer service or employee experience.

In what areas do you think your company excels and what should it improve to become truly “great”?

I can help you

I work with overstretched leaders of engineering SMEs to help them prepare their business so they can achieve profitable growth.

To explore how I could help you, please use the link below to arrange a free 30-minute conversation.

http://tinyurl.com/HerveJardonCalendar