When we go into business we all have a dream. Some kind of idea about what we want our business to become.<\/p>\n
We want to make money (sometimes lots of money). We imagine ourselves doing something we care about, maybe even love. We think \u201cI can do it better than (fill in the blank)<\/em>\u201d. \u00a0And (generally) we are excited about creating this company, and the possibility of leaving behind a legacy for our kids or the next generation. There\u2019s nothing stopping us from achieving our goals.<\/p>\n Well maybe nothing.<\/p>\n With great passion and enthusiasm motivating us, how come our businesses don\u2019t always reach their potential?<\/p>\n We tell ourselves stories;\u00a0we couldn\u2019t get the financing we need<\/em>, or I can\u2019t find anyone decent to hire<\/em>. We had bad timing in the market<\/em>, or for those honest types, I am great at (doing whatever it is that you do) but I\u2019m not a great manager.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0If you recognise yourself in any of these statements, you aren\u2019t alone.<\/p>\n Most entrepreneurs (at least the honest ones) will tell you that they\u2019ve been there. So, what is it that takes them beyond their frustration, beyond their plateau into financial freedom and satisfaction?<\/p>\n In one word, Clarity<\/em>.<\/p>\n John Naisbitt, Author of \u201cMegatrends<\/em> said, \u201cStrategic planning is worthless\u2014unless there is first a strategic vision.<\/em>\u201d If your business hasn\u2019t fulfilled its destiny, if there is still a little room for improvement for greater success, perhaps the only thing standing in your way to success is you.<\/p>\n Does your vision outline the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How you see things? \u00a0Is this vision in writing? When you read your vision, does it actually excite you? Can it capture your interest and engagement for the next 2 years?<\/p>\n Would it provide a compelling reason for your customers, vendors, staff, or future hires to say \u201cYES\u201d to you and more importantly your organization?<\/p>\n They say that if you don\u2019t know where you are going, you won\u2019t know it when you get there.\u00a0Where a company is concerned neither will anyone else. Worse yet, no one on staff will have any clearly defined markers to tell you if you are moving closer to your goals or further from them.<\/p>\n Are you 100% certain that if anyone on your staff was asked the following questions that they would answer mirroring your thoughts verbatim?<\/p>\n If you are wondering if it\u2019s time to create a written strategic vision, write down your answers to the questions above and compare them with the answers your team gives you.<\/p>\n You might even want to take it one step further and survey your clients to make sure their experience is in alignment with your goals.<\/p>\n On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your company culture? When you come into work are you excited and do you feel energised by the people you have surrounded yourself with?<\/p>\n Do your people \u201cget you\u201d and what the company is all about?<\/p>\n Do they understand what their roles are and how they play a part in helping you take your company to where you would like it to be?<\/p>\n Without a clearly outlined vision, how can you reasonably expect anyone to follow you or intuitively go where you want them to?<\/p>\n Your team needs guidance. They need to know what is expected of them and why. Whether you are bringing new staff on board or developing your existing team your people need to know where your destination is and if you want them to champion you they need to be able to take some ownership in helping you get there.<\/p>\n No matter how long you have been in business, the number of clients you serve, or how many people you have on staff, now is the perfect time to set your sites on your destination.<\/p>\n Create your written strategic vision and share it with your team, your vendors, and your clients, and anyone else who will listen.<\/p>\n Of course you may want to edit out your financial goals for your public version as clients generally don\u2019t get excited about the fact you want to triple your revenues!<\/p>\n With a clear vision moving forward you are no longer on your own, but you have engaged an empowered team to help you get there.<\/p>\n Jennifer Martin is an EMyth Certified Business Coach, Author, Speaker, and owner of Zest Business Consulting. She helps small business owners, leaders, and managers worldwide understand how to build thriving businesses they love.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" No matter how long you have been in business, the number of clients you serve, or how many people you have on staff, do they all understand how they play a part in helping you take your company to where you would like it to be?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":4551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[23],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n1. What is holding you back?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
2. Do you know where you want your business to be in the next 24 months?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Can your team articulate your vision?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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4. How would you rate your company culture?<\/h2>\n
5. Remember: As a business owner you are the leader.<\/strong><\/h2>\n