It Starts with a Vision

"Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion."

• Jack Welch, General Electric

Do you have a vision?

Many business owners today are operating "Within the Eye of the Storm." That is to say, owners are dealing with day to day issues (such as payroll, customer satisfaction issues, compliance, etc.) and have not taken the time to properly formulate a clear vision for their business. One of the first questions I ask a small business owner is simple- What is the vision for your business? Surprisingly, most cannot answer that question, and that can be a problem.

What is the definition of a vision statement?

Quite simply, a vision statement is a snapshot of the purpose of the business or reason the business exists. There are many opinions regarding what a vision statement should include, but the statement must articulate a clear, definable, and realistic message. The vision must reflect what the owner wants their business to become.

How to get there

I often ask my clients to start with a group of core categories such as values, niches, who they are and who they want to become. The next step is to write down all the items within those categories. Through a prioritization process, we eventually get down to a very specific statement. This becomes the vision statement; the guide and road map to everything that happens within the business from that point on.

Your road map and guide

All decisions, whether operational or personnel based, should adhere to the vision statement. All employees should also know, understand and believe in the vision. It should serve a common purpose and help all parts of an organization work together in order to move towards the vision. The business should then set up mission statements and project goals that coincide with the vision. It becomes your road map and guide to success.

As a collaborative effort, I have found that a fresh perspective can help an owner retain focus on what is truly important to their business. Driven Matrix is passionate about helping entrepreneurs identify their visions and helping implement them within their companies.

I am regularly discussing business life, strategies, and decisions with other entrepreneurs. Whether you facing an existing obstacle, or perhaps an ongoing concern, sometimes an outside viewpoint that otherwise may not have been considered, may be the difference of where your company will be headed tomorrow. The approaches to making decisions and strategizing your business is almost unlimited. If you would like further ideas or guidance, feel free to contact Jim Schmitz for additional information by submitting this contact form. jim will be in contact with you promptly.

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