Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes. — Kenneth Hildebrand
Your vision will inspire others
Defining your values will naturally lead you to a vision for your company. The vision can be what you aim for the business to be, both now and in the future. For example, you might determine your company vision as follows:
“My business aims to be the leading soap-maker in the region that guarantees 100% customer satisfaction while maintaining the highest standards of environmental protection in the making of our products.”
The vision you create will ultimately depend on the values you choose. So, have some fun imagining the possibilities of the future you will create.
Having a vision for your company is not only motivational and inspirational for you but others as well. If you have staff (or helpful supportive family and friends for free labor), a vision that everyone understands can help keep energy, and enthusiasm, high. Likewise, with customers and suppliers, a vision statement can persuade and enhance company reputation. By sharing your vision with them, you also help them to feel like they’re part of your company too.
So, while your business plan is your base, the values and vision you add to it are like the special mix of colors and fragrances you add to your soaps to give them their unique characteristics. They help to guide you through the tough decisions as your business grows. Formulating them is as easy as throwing on your ‘creative cap’ and deciding which things, or values, are most important to you! Once you’ve got them all stirring in your pot (business plan, values and vision), it’s time to select a specific shape and pour your mold – and we’ll come to this tomorrow.
Your homework for tonight is to read through your lists of possible values and vision statements from yesterday. Go through your value statements and rank them in order of importance and fit. Pick your top five and wordsmith them until they sound coherent. Go through your ideas for a vision and rank your top three. Which one fits best with your top five value statements? Choose that for your vision. Write or type it up and post someplace visible so you can see your values and vision and refer to them daily.
Looking for another part in the “Kickstart Your Business” series?
Part 1 – Defining Your Business
Part 7 – Put Your Goals To Action
Part 8 – Surround Yourself Well
Part 9 – Endless Possibilities
