Every single organization on the planet, even our own careers, always function on three levels. What we do, How we do it and Why we do it ”  – Simon Sinek 

 

Having a business vision gives you focus and clarity, it helps with decision making and it stops you getting side-tracked and distracted when life takes over.

 

Asking yourself these five questions will guide you through creating your business vision and prevent the “mind blank”, writer’s block and overwhelm that hits us when we’re faced with a question like “what is your business vision?”

 

1.What does success look like to you? How will you know when you’ve “made it”? Describe your idea of success: use your imagination, instincts, and/or intuition to express your “big picture”. In other words, describe what it will be like when you have reached your ultimate business goal.

 

Write down what you want your business to become but make sure you include some big numbers that you can measure – turnover, income, profit, number of customers etc.

 

This is not your business plan – but your vision can help you populate your business plan and marketing plan because your vision is your destination. Don’t let doubts cloud your vision.

 

2. Why is success important to you? Why do you do what you do?

  • Why is it so important to you?
  • Are you trying to make your life and that of your family better?
  • Are you trying to get out of a job and go self-employed full time?
  • Are you trying to help your community?
  • Is it make or break otherwise you have to get a job again?

 

What’s the driver behind you having your own business?

 

3. What difference does your business make?

What difference do you want to make for your customers?

 

  • What do you want to bring into the world?
  • Do you want to make life easier for mothers, small business owners, etc?
  • Do you want to help children have more fun learning?
  • Do you want to help businesses fulfil their potential?
  • Do you want to make women feel gorgeous and get their self confidence back?
  • Do you want to help women create a beautiful home?

 

It doesn’t have to be big and life changing but there will be a reason (or several) why your business will make a difference to the world.

 

4. Who is your “ideal customer”?

  • Who is most likely to buy from you? Who “gets” you?
  • Who would you love to work with? Who’s a really good fit?

 

Think about what sort of individual or business they are, where you might find them, what problems you could solve for them. These questions should all be easy to answer and you will DEFINITELY have one even if you haven’t sold to them yet.

 

5. What are your milestones?

  • What are the achievements you want to reach along the way that will show you you’re moving forward?

 

Milestones could be:

  • Leaving your job to working full time on your business
  • Having an annual holiday
  • Increased levels of income or more free time
  • Covering school fees or buying a new car

 

There may be smaller milestones like:

  • Setting up a website
  • Working with a particular customer or client

 

These milestones are personal to you and your business and they will keep you on track when you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed – write them down and tick them off as you achieve them WHICH YOU WILL!