There are many books written about how to be successful in business; but most of these reams of information can be summed up in one word: focus.

I've watched too many companies falter because the original focus of the founder was either taken away or became diffuse. When the focus is not there, employees do not know where to put their energy. Important decisions are referred to commitee, since individuals are unsure of what the "right thing" is. A company gets bogged down in paperwork – which is just a cowards way of not taking a decision.

How do you avoid that? Some ideas to follow.