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The odds

If you have 5 areas in your strategy where you have to be at least 90% right to succeed, then you probability of sustaining the success is 59%.

Math for the 80/20 rule

For Growth (0.9 probability of success), Gross Margin (0.9), Sustainability (0.9), Capital Needs (0.9), and Timing (0.9), the combined probability is:

0.9 x 0.9 x 0.9 x 0.9 x 0.9 = .59049

or about a 59% chance of success.

If you have to succeed in 8 areas, your probability drops to 43%. 12 to 28%. Therefore, the smartest thing to do is to identify your 20 of the 80/20 rule and focus your energy on getting those four or five key tasks right.

Delegation

Your employees should approach their jobs the same way, to get their five key tasks right. It should cascade down. That is how you excel at the 80 of the 80/20 rule.