Vision is an important component of any business from start up to large successful organisations but it can be a missing piece of the puzzle when you are starting out or running a small business. You dont have to have some written statement of being the biggest or the best but you do need to have an idea of where you are going and what you are aiming for.
If there is only you surely you know what it is you do and where you are going in business?
It is surprising how many people do not really have an idea of where they want to be, how big they want to grow or even how much money they want to make.
If you dont know these things dont despair here are a few tips to creating a vision for your company.
1. The first thing to think about is when will you know you have achieved your vision. Consider what it will look like, what you will hear about your company and what you will see. What inspires you and what makes you get out of bed in the morning? Why do you take risks and run your own company and what is it about being your own boss which motivates you?
2. Keep things simple. This is not about grand statements like ending world poverty. Of course it is something we all want to see happen but your part to play in that might be a little smaller. It may be that you need to think big and then start to get a little realistic. What can you achieve in the long term and what do you want to happen? Create a vision board. A lot of fun can be had doing this so tear out pictures of what you want or if you are good at drawing go for it and draw it out. Before you stick things down move your pictures about and make them make sense to you. See your journey ahead with clarity and make the pictures reflect it, write some words alongside if that helps and think about what people will say about your company too.
3. Share your vision. I once worked with a wonderful woman who had a way with words and said "if you have a vision which isn't shared it is a hallucination". Having a vision board makes it easy to tell the story of where you want to be and you can keep it in your office for inspiration. If you dont want to go down that road make a clear commitment to telling people or your staff exactly where it is you are all going. Get everyone on board and if you do work with other people let them help create the vision in the first place. Sell your vision to potential clients and new staff. Everyone shoudl know what it is you aim to do and where you are going.
4. Reinforce behaviour which moves you towards your vision. Celebrate each success along the way and make sure people who work with or for you know when they are moving in the right direction. Ensure everyone knows from the cleaner to the client what it is you want to achieve as a company.
5. Show others what it is you want by actually doing it yourself. Walk the talk. Some bosses want more from their staff than they are prepared to do themselves. If your vision includes being organised and running an office which looks professional dont be the one who has an untidy desk. If your vision includes always answering a customer query within 24 hours dont leave yourself open to criticism by not following through or answering emails for weeks.
So go out there and get your vision for 2012 sorted and start to make your business even more successful.
No comments:
Post a Comment