FIBERS of Business™
Six Business Fibers: Finance, Innovation, Beliefs, Experience, Relationships and Story.
The six Business Fibers
Every business is woven from the same six strands. Here is Joe’s definition of each one and the questions it asks.
Finance
Pricing, margins, budgeting, cash flow, revenue management, profit planning, cost controls, investment decisions, resource allocation, ROI analysis, financial forecasting, inventory cost management, financial reporting, break-even analysis, purchasing decisions, financing terms, revenue modeling, financial vulnerability assessments, and any decision tied to money, capital, or fiscal responsibility.
- “Where are we leaving money on the table?”
- “What’s our cash runway if revenue drops 30%?”
Innovation
Operations, systems, processes, SOPs, product quality, service quality (technical), functionality, efficiency, workflow design, technology adoption, compatibility, product knowledge, expertise, skilled service capability, training and development, continuous improvement, problem-solving, time optimization, scaling processes, operational reliability, maintenance systems, automation, production efficiency, and improving how the business actually works.
- “What’s preventing you from scaling right now?”
- “Where are you reinventing the wheel instead of systematizing?”
Beliefs
Mission, values, principles, ethical standards, leadership philosophy, company non-negotiables, quality standards, cultural DNA, behavioral expectations, decision-making philosophy, purpose, integrity, excellence expectations, ownership mindset, work ethic, "the way we do things here," and the operating beliefs that shape all internal behavior.
- “Does this decision reflect who you said you wanted to be?”
- “What behaviors are you tolerating that violate your values?”
Experience
Customer service, customer journey, location, cleanliness, environment, hospitality, convenience, wait times, atmosphere, usability, product/service functionality (front-facing), packaging, accessibility, delivery consistency, sensory impression, return policy experience, ease of use, and the total sum of what the customer sees, feels, hears, and encounters.
- “What’s the gap between your promised experience and what’s delivered?”
- “If you were a first-time customer today, what would disappoint you?”
Relationships
Employees, team unity, leadership interactions, internal communication, morale, trust, customer relationships, customer loyalty, vendor relations, referral partners, collaborators, supply chain relationships, negotiation, community involvement, conflict resolution, partnership alignment, retention, coaching and development, and all internal and external relational capital of the business.
- “Who on your team is disengaged and why?”
- “Where is broken trust costing you opportunity?”
Story
Brand, marketing, promotion, messaging, narrative, reputation, visual identity, content, positioning, differentiation, advertising, PR, digital presence, testimonials, customer reviews, marketplace perception, taglines, social media presence, sales narrative, and the ongoing story the business tells the world through words, visuals, and actions.
- “Why would someone choose you over the competitor down the street?”
- “What story are your customers telling about you right now?”
Coming soon
FIBERS™ Board of Directors
Six domain experts, one for each Business Fiber.
The FIBERS Hiring Matrix™
Aligning people to roles, culture and FIBERS-based success.
You can’t win in business if you’re losing in life.— Joe Watkins, FIBERS™ Ep. 14: Brand Alignment: Are You Designing an Experience or Letting One Happen by Accident?
