From Meaning to Making It Matter – And Finding Purpose Through People Power

Hi, I’m Clint, founder of C-Sure Consulting. In this week’s edition of C-Shorts, I’ve been thinking about what keeps us going when the pressure is on, and how having a sense of purpose helps us stay steady and focused when things get tough... I’ve just finished reading Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. It’s one of those rare books that leaves you feeling both humbled and energised. Frankl’s reflections on life in the concentration camps can be difficult to read, but it’s also surprisingly hopeful in places. He shows us that even in the darkest conditions, people can face almost anything once they understand why it matters to keep going. Meaning, he said, is what turns suffering into strength.

In business, and in life, the real test often comes when things don’t go to plan...

🔄 Pivoting with Purpose

Looking back on our first year at C-Sure, it’s been a time of learning, listening, and a fair bit of honest reflection. We’ve had some great conversations, built new connections, and tested out lots of different ideas. Through all of that we’ve been learning what lands, and where we might be missing the mark.

One thing that’s become clear is that while we’ve had some positive interest, we haven’t yet reached as many of the right people as we could. That’s on us. We’ve realised that being clearer about who we’re here to help is what will likely make the biggest difference.

Over the past year, we’ve spoken with businesses of different sizes and stages, but the ones who seem to connect most naturally with what we offer are those in that fast-growth phase where excitement meets a bit of chaos.

That’s where we believe C-Sure can offer the most valuable support. We can help growing businesses find structure without losing their spark. We bring a fresh pair of eyes, a calm head, and a toolkit built from first-hand experience of what happens when growth outpaces control.

Sometimes that means working with leadership teams to simplify communication and decision-making. Sometimes it’s about redesigning processes that once worked fine but now need an upgrade. And often, it’s about helping teams adapt to change, so that they can continue to make progress but with less pressure.

So as we head into our second year, we’re focusing our energy on supporting ambitious businesses that are growing fast, maybe feeling the strain, and want to regain control without losing momentum. Because sustainable growth should be about scaling with clarity and confidence. 👂 Listen Before You Lead

My first major project as a newly promoted Planning Manager taught me that lesson the hard way. I’d been asked to bring demand planning and forecasting into our ERP system for a manufacturing and logistics business. It sounded straightforward, but it wasn't that at all...

I had to align the sales and planning teams, even though one of them sat completely outside my area of authority. I had no formal project management training and no framework to follow. Just persistence, patience, and a willingness to learn as I went along.

The sales team didn’t see the point.

The planning team saw extra work.

And there was a huge divide between them that needed bridging somehow.

At first, there were strong opinions and a few raised eyebrows. But I soon realised the loudest voices weren’t necessarily against the change; they just wanted to be heard.

So I changed my approach.

I stopped trying to lead and started listening. I celebrated the small wins, shared credit freely, and made sure everyone could see their contribution was making a difference.

Over time, things began to shift.

One of the sales managers who had needed the most encouragement early on started to see how his forecast inputs were improving month after month, and he shared that excitement with the rest of the team. That’s when things really started to turn.

Looking back now, I can see that the key to success was stakeholder management. Nothing happens without people power...

⏩ Foresight, Flexibility & Forward Thinking

It’s something I’ve noticed in almost every change project since. Real progress only comes when people care about the outcome.

Whether you’re a global player or a growing challenger, the same fundamentals of resilience are the same:

• Stay flexible

  
  

• Keep true to your values

  
  

• Use technology to help people, not replace them

  
  

I’ve been exploring these same ideas through my studies with the Transformation in Supply Chain (CTSC) certification from APICS. Supply chains have faced a lot of disruption in recent years, and it’s shown how important it is for people in our field to step up as transformational leaders. It’s no longer just about moving products efficiently; it’s about seeing the bigger picture, understanding how systems connect, and using data and technology to make better decisions.

The CTSC course is a great way for me to build on that thinking. It’s helping me develop my skills in systems thinking, digital fluency, and analysis that apply across all kinds of supply chains. What I like most is that it reinforces what I’ve already seen in practice. Real transformation happens when people feel supported, informed, and confident enough to drive the change themselves. 💚 Success Through Service As Frankl writes in his book, echoing Nietzsche’s words: 'Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how’.'

For me, that translates directly into how we can serve our clients. Our purpose is to help businesses find stability when things are uncertain. By supporting the people behind the processes, and bringing back some clarity and confidence where it counts.

This year, as we refine and relaunch C-Sure’s offering, that sense of purpose feels sharper than ever. We’re also putting that same energy into a refresh of our website, which will be live soon. It’s been a great chance to think about how we tell our story and make it easier for people to connect with us. We’re not trying to build a big consultancy or compete with the big names out there. That’s never really interested me. What matters more is creating something personal, a space where collaboration feels real and progress is something we achieve together.

I’ve always believed that when people feel supported and understand the 'why' behind their work, everything starts to flow more naturally. And that’s when good things usually start to happen...

🤝 Let’s Keep Connected Writing this week’s blog reminded me that before you make a plan, you need to have a purpose.

How about you? What gives your work meaning? How do you keep that sense of purpose alive when things get hectic?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Until next time...

💡 C-Sure Shortcut of the Week

Purpose powers progress.

Pause to ask not just what you’re doing, but why.