The Six Principles for Business Success by John Spence – A Game Plan for Growth
A Blueprint for Business Excellence
What if there was a business consultant who read over a hundred business books every year for nearly 20 years? And what if that business expert worked with some of the world’s largest and most successful organizations, helping them achieve long-term success? Then, what if he took everything he learned and distilled it into a perfect resource under 200 pages?
Now imagine someone took those two hundred pages and boiled them down into ten minutes. That’s me. In the next few minutes, you’re going to discover the key strategies that can turn your business into a growth machine.
We’ve all heard of two types of simplicity—one that’s too basic to be useful, and the other that comes after a deep understanding of business principles. John Spence, a highly respected professional speaker, executive coach, and guest lecturer, delivers the latter, cutting through the noise with actionable business advice.
His book, The Six Principles for Business Success, breaks down fundamental business strategies to help business owners like you execute with confidence.
Principle #1 - Vivid Vision
If you’ve heard one too many people talk about “mission, vision, and values,” you’re probably tuned out. I get it. But when John Spence talks about this compelling vision, he cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the strategic thinking that matters.
Your vision should be:
Memorable – A phrase that everyone in your company knows.
Actionable – Something you execute daily, not just a board of directors meeting discussion.
Relentless – Communicated so often that people get sick of hearing it.
A successful organization needs effective execution of its business strategies, and that starts with leadership effectiveness.
Action Steps:
Align your team with a compelling vision and culture of urgency.
Be clear and repeat your vision often until everyone in your executive team lives and breathes it.
Keep your business principles straightforward so that every employee understands their role in achieving success.
Principle #2 - Best People
A business leader is only as strong as their handful of people at the top. Spence introduces the Five C’s of outstanding leaders:
Competence – Hire for knowledge, experience, and execution.
Character – A leader’s integrity and credibility matter more than just skill.
Collaboration – Teamwork beats lone wolves in the long run.
Communication – Clear messaging and body language ensure alignment.
Commitment – Your best people must be fully invested in company growth.
Action Steps:
Identify and retain high-performers—they are your biggest competitive advantage.
Avoid business frustrations by setting clear expectations and hiring wisely.
Foster continuous improvement with coaching and mentorship.
Principle #3 - Robust Communication
If your team doesn’t know what’s happening, your company is failing before it even begins. Effective communication ensures alignment, motivation, and positive action.
Action Steps:
Encourage customer feedback to improve consumer preferences.
Practice conflict resolution before small issues turn into major problems.
Use open communication in leadership meetings and Harvard Business Review insights to stay informed on Business Trends.
Principle #4 - A Sense of Urgency
Speed matters in business. If you don’t move quickly, someone else will. Spence stresses that businesses that implement fast, adapt fast, and execute fast will achieve long-term success.
Action Steps:
Avoid the knowing-doing gap—turn business advice into immediate action.
Give employees decision-making authority instead of waiting on endless approvals.
Focus on efficient problem-solving to eliminate impediments to execution.
Principle #5 - Disciplined Execution
Plans are worthless without execution. Spence provides a nine-step process to ensure that businesses don’t just talk about success—they build it.
Vision & Values – Clearly defined goals.
Strategy – Focused business trends and market needs.
Commitment – Teamwide dedication to effective execution.
Alignment – Clear direction for every team member.
Systems – Making success repeatable.
Priorities – Keeping efforts focused on critical business topics.
Support & Training – Providing ongoing development.
Adjust & Innovate – Refining strategies through iteration.
Recognition – Celebrating wins and correcting mistakes.
Action Steps:
Create action items for every team meeting—don’t just discuss, implement.
Encourage business advisors to provide real-world feedback on progress.
Stay committed to leadership effectiveness through structured reviews.
Principle #6 - Extreme Customer Focus
At the core of every successful organization is a deep obsession with customers. Spence highlights that hiring for attitude over skill is key.
Action Steps:
Train your team to be customer-focused problem solvers.
Use client organizations to gain industry insights.
Stay ahead of consumer preferences by refining strategic thinking.
The six key strategies outlined in The Six Principles for Business Success offer practical, actionable steps that any business owner can implement immediately. Whether you’re a startup founder or leading an executive team, these business principles will help you scale effectively. But knowledge without action is wasted potential. It’s time to execute these strategies.
